Composition II – Poetry Essay
Topic:
The Poetry Essay compares the treatment of a similar theme in two poems. To begin, read Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” Consider this poem as the basis of your essay, a starting point to discuss the theme: all good things come to an end.
After reading Frost’s poem and after gaining a full understanding of its theme, read A. E. Housman’s “Loveliest of Trees” and Seamus Heaney’s “Blackberry-Picking.” Write an essay to compare the two poems in relation to their common theme. Use support from the three poems and from one additional source.
Format:
3 pages, typed, double-spaced, size 12 print, Times New Roman font
An original title
MLA formatting (print size, font, headings, spacing, margins, indentation, citations, works cited page)
Introduction:
Briefly introduce Robert Frost, his poem, and its theme. Use Frost’s poem in the essay introduction to prepare your readers for the discussion in body paragraphs.
Introduce A. E. Housman and Seamus Heaney and their poems.
Discuss the poems briefly to establish the common theme among the three poems. End the paragraph with a thesis statement that addresses the comparisons and contrasts to be made in your discussion. Use in-text citations to document source information.
Body:
Provide multiple body paragraphs. Structure the paragraphs using block organization or point-by-point organization. Discuss at least three points to relate how the theme is addressed in the two poems.
Provide documented support from the poems and from one additional source that provides information about the poems, the poets, or the theme. Format source information as direct quotations or paraphrased passages.
In summary, discuss the theme “all good things come to an end” as reflected in the poems of Housman and Heaney. Document all information taken from sources and information that is not common knowledge.
Conclusion:
Restate the thesis, summarize the main points of the essay, and provide a personal response to the poems.
Works Cited:
Provide at least four entries in MLA style:
one for the source of each poem.
one additional source relating to the poems, the poets, or theme.
Use scholarly sources—no Wikipedia or similar sources.
