In the following assignment, you will write a literary analysis of the poems below.
When you write a literary analysis essay, you should focus on the following elements: tone, diction, syntax, author’s point of view, structure, imagery, and dramatic context of a selection. As you explore and analyze the poems at the end of the page, make notes about the literary elements you notice and begin to consider how the authors develop the themes in each poem.
Key Literary Terms
Diction – the author’s choice of words
Dramatic context – the setting and core structure of a poem
Elliptical construction – the intentional omission or certain words or phrases by the author
Euphemism – a mild or less blunt word
Metaphor – a figure of speech that compares unlike objects
Simile – a figure of speech that compares unlike objects using “like” and “as”
Motif – a recurring theme throughout a poem
Syntax – the author’s pattern of words or sentence structure
Poetry
