Prompt: Write a 1,000 word essay on one of the poems assigned for this class(essays on poems not assigned will receive a zero). This paper is not an explication, though you will probably want to go through that step before tackling your essay. Your essay should focus on how a particular literary element of the poem (word choice, imagery, symbolism, allusion, etc.) is used to argue the overall meaning/theme of the poem. Note: Use only 1-2 literary elements to discuss the theme.Review Chapters 11, 13, and 17 in the textbook to decide what literary element will be appropriate for the poem you select.
➢Pay attention to the sample essays on Canvas as well as reading through the announcement boards and discussion board notes posted on Canvas. The textbook and the sections in the “Writing About”in the chapters on poetry can also help you generate ideas and think about your essay.Minimum Criteria (to earn a C or higher):(Essay worth 125 points)
➢Minimum word count: 1000 words–essays not meeting the word count will automatically receive a D or lower.
➢Thesis statement.This should be a statement that clearly offers an argument as to how a specific literary element is used to argue the theme of the poem(be careful to do more than just explicate the poem). Your thesis should come at the end of the introductory paragraph. Make sure to move beyond the “list thesis” (the listing of topics that will be discussed) with this essay. The thesis should clearly state the theme as well as the literary element you will use to analyze the poem.
➢Use specific textual evidence in the form of direct quotes and provide analysis as to why the author uses that particular literary element to argue the theme of the poem.Focus on specific lines in the poem that you can provide analysis of. In other words, explain “why” the author uses that particular idea (image, word choice, symbol, etc.) to argue the theme.
➢A well-organized argument with. .o Clear and logical paragraphing. This includes how the ideas are divided into paragraphs, the order of the ideas, the correct use of topic sentences and transitions. Each paragraph should focus on just one idea, and the line of thought should be easy for a reader to follow. (See “Major Stages In Thinking and Writing About Literature: From Discovering Ideas to Completing the Essay” in our textbook)
➢Correct MLA in-text citation–Make sure to use MLA citation when incorporating the lines of poetry into your essay. Note: This paper does not require outside research, so you do not need a works cited page.
➢MLA Style document formatting.See any of the sample essays in our text for how the heading, title, line spacing, and page numbering should be set up. Please use 12-pt font, Times New Roman,1” margins and double space.
➢Error Free sentences.At this stage in your writing, your sentences should be free from errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure you leave enough time to proofread for typos as well.
