Poetry
Analysis Task:
Choose a poet from our book Latino
Literature and write an essay in which you analyze three poems written by
that poet. You are to analyze the
poet’s use of literary elements (parts of the poem and figures of speech) and
use this analysis to interpret the meaning of this poem. Challenge yourself by looking for a common theme in the works you
choose to analyze.
|
In other words
What is the poem saying and what
literary elements does the author use to demonstrate this message?
Introduction
Provide the necessary background information
about the poet in 2-3 paragraphs:
·
poet’s name/any
relevant biographical facts
·
Geography---Living in a hot climate by the sea
will create different experiences then living in a cold mountainous place.
·
Current event---Growing up during a war,
fighting in a war, political unrest.
·
Family structure---Eldest who cares for
siblings, living with relatives, poverty.
·
State of the economy---Growing up during the
depression, living in a poor country.
Please refer to the previous post for more information.
|
Use appropriate transitional words or
phrases to begin a discussion of the poet’s work.
·
title of poem
·
Summary of the
poem’s subject or topic.
Transitional words and phrases
https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html
|
Thesis
• In your thesis, identify the
literary element(s) to be analyzed and the approach or direction of the
analysis.
• What message is the poem sending?
|
Sample Thesis Statement #1
In “First
Lessons,” R. Zamora Linmark uses allusions to describe how not to write a poem,
and then he uses imagery and allusions to describe how to write a poem
properly.
Sample Thesis Statement #2
R. Zamora
Linmark in “First Lessons” uses imagery and verbal irony to describe how a
writer can discover his or her topic, then through diction and allusion, tells
the writer how to write a poem that will leave a lasting impression on readers.
Sample Thesis Statement #3
In the poem
“First Lessons,” R. Zamora Linmark uses allusion and visual imagery in a playful
way to teach writers what to avoid and what to incorporate when composing poems
based on other literary works. Linmark advises writers that it is okay to borrow,
or even steal, from others’ literary works as long as they replace them with
works of their own.
Body
Paragraphs
• The number of paragraphs will be based
on the number of elements you analyze and the number of claims that you make.
|
Sample Organization #1
In “First
Lessons,” R. Zamora Linmark uses allusions to describe how not to write a poem,
and then he uses imagery and allusions to describe how to write a poem
properly. Sample Organization #1
1. the author
uses allusions to describe how not to write a poem
2. the
author uses imagery to describe how to write a poem properly
3. the
author uses allusions to describe how to write a poem properly
Sample Organization #2
R. Zamora
Linmark in “First Lessons” uses imagery and verbal irony to describe how a
writer can discover his or her topic, then through diction and allusion, tells
the writer how to write a poem that will leave a lasting impression on readers.
Sample
Organization #2
1. the
author uses imagery to describe how a writer can discover his or her topic
2. the
author uses verbal irony to describe how a writer can discover his or her topic
3. the
author uses diction to tell the writer how to write a poem that will leave a lasting
impression on readers
4. the
author uses allusion to tell the writer how to write a poem that will leave a lasting
impression on readers Conclusion
Conclusion
• Your concluding paragraph should begin
by echoing your major thesis without repeating the words verbatim.
• It should broaden from the thesis statement
to answer the “so what?” question your reader may have after reading your
essay. Conclusion
• Reflect on how your essay topic relates
to the poem as a whole
• Evaluate how successful the author is
in achieving his or her goal or message
• Give a personal statement about the
topic Conclusion
• Make predictions
• Connect back to your creative opening
• Give your opinion of the poem’s value
or significance
|
Your essay
must be posted to the blog by Wednesday, June 4, 2014 by 1:08pm.
Students will
post one essay and give constructive criticism to two. Directions on how to
give feedback will follow.