Poetry Explication

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Academy English 393 Mr. Ruter

Date due:

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Value: 100 points

Two Options for Writing About Poetry First Option: An Explication of Paired Poems Of the poems in Patchwork: A Collection of (lY1.ost!Y)American Poetry, select two poems that are somehow linked by ideas or images for an explication of 1000 words (three page), wordprocessed. An explication explains and interprets a poem by exploring its literal and

figurative levels.

Guidelines:

Stnlcture and Content

Paragraph 1 should include (in this order) your poems' tides and authors, their formes), their topics, and general comparisons and/or contrasts. Paragraph 2 should discuss the literal level of the earlier (older) poem: general action (What happens?); speaker(s), addressee(s), and audience; setting, if discernible and significant; and a paraphrasing of the poem--that is to say, a prose version in your own words. Paragraph 3 should analyze the figurative, or inferential, level of the earlier (older) poem: notable diction, figurative language, images, and/or allusions. Throughout this paragraph, quote liberally from the poem--either single words, phrases, lines, or even short stanzas. Cite the line number(s) of each quotation in parentheses. Paragraph 4 should discuss the literal level of the later poem. Paragraph 5 should analyze the figurative, or inferential, level of the later poem. Paragraph 6 should compare and/or contrast the poems' tones (authors' attitudes or feelings) and themes (ideas revealed through general action, diction, images, and tone.)

Notes: Revising, Proofreading, and Manuscript Fonnat Revise your explication for parallel structure among interior paragraphs, and sufficient and appropriate transitional words and phrases both between and within paragraphs. Proofread carefully for errors in mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization) grammar (sentence completeness, consistent verb tense), and diction (active voice verbs, accurate word choice). Follow the guidelines for manuscript format in Part VI of The Practical Companion, including an original and descriptive title.

Second Option: A ReOective Analysis of a Poem Task Of the poems in Patchwork: A Sampler of (MostlY) American Poetry, select one that makes a definite aesthetic, intellectual, emotional, or moral impact on you. Reflect on that impact and incorporate it into an analysis of 1000 words (three pages), word-processed. In your analysis, 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

articulately describe your reaction to the poem (what;, clearly identify the source(s) of that reaction (where); thoughtfully explain how those sources produce your reaction; distinguish meaning (theme, related ideas) from technique (the poet's craft); and discern patterns in the poem (meaningful repetition of poetic elements).

Notes

Omit a standard introduction and conclusion. Instead, discuss the poem from its beginning to its end: Let the structure of the poem-and your response to it-shape the structure of your analysis. Consider particularly these poetic elements: Diction--the connotation of words used intentionally, and the overall use of language such as flrma4 colloquial, homespun, scholarlY, esoteric, ordinary, sensuous, concrete, and cultured; Syntax-the

structure and impact of phrases, fragments, sentences, and stanzas;

Ifllage..ty-vivid appeals to understanding through the senses, including allusion, metaphor, paradox, personijication, simile, and .rymbo~ and Tone--the poet's attitude toward subject, theme, and reader, such as angry, sweet, bitter, proud, ironic, sad, urgent, poignant, mocking, somber, didactic, and detached.

Quotations and citations: Quote liberally from the poem--either or even short stanzas-and

single words, phrases, lines, cite the line number(s) of each quotation in parentheses.

Transitions: Use sufficient and appropriate transitional words and phrases both between and within paragraphs.

Proofreading:

Reread your wnnng to check for possible errors in mechanics (spelling, punctuation, capitalization) grammar (sentence completeness, consistent verb tense), and diction (active voice verbs, accurate word choice).

Manuscript format: Follow the guidelines in Part VI of The Practical Companion, including an original and descriptive title.