Compose an essay of 750 words and 5 or more paragraphs in which you offer your interpretation of a literary element (such as theme, imagery, symbolism, or characterization) in one of the assigned poems. Choose any poem from our Week 1 or Week 2 poetry reading list.
Tips for the Essay
Open your introduction with an engaging opener, such as a question, quotation from the poem, or interesting idea. Then, connect to the poem and mention the title and the author. End your introduction with a thesis statement that interprets one literary element of the poem.
The body paragraphs should support your thesis. Present specific aspects of the poem that help to illustrate your points. Make sure to quote from the poem and analyze specific lines that support your argument. Typically, body paragraphs will contain at least two short quotations each as supporting evidence. Do not do any outside research. This should be only your own interpretation.
Include a strong concluding paragraph that summarizes your main points and explains the significance of the thesis. Finish this paragraph with a strong and satisfying ending.
APA Reminder
Use APA style for formatting the essay and for source citations. Begin with a title page and use proper font and spacing. End with a separate references page. Refer to the Week 1 lecture on avoiding plagiarism for an APA essay template and additional resources.
Dickinson:
“After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes”
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death”
“’Faith’ Is A Fine Invention”
“’Hope’ Is the Thing with Feathers”
“I Heard A Fly Buzz When I Died”
“I Like to See It Lap the Miles”
“Much Madness Is Divinest Sense”
“My Life Had Stood—A Loaded Gun”
“There’s A Certain Slant of Light”
“This Is My Letter to the World”
Frost:
“Birches”
“Design”
“Fire and Ice”
“Mending Wall”
“Nothing Gold Can Stay”
“For Once, Then, Something”
“Out, Out”
“The Road Not Taken”
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
Brooks:
“The Mother”
“Sadie and Maud”
“A Song in the Front Yard”
“We Real Cool”
Hughes:
“Cross”
“Harlem”
“Negro”
“Suicide’s Note”
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
“Theme for English B”
Tips
Remember to provide evidence for your claims in the form of quoted passages from the poem. Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries should be cited according to APA rules of style, including in-text and reference citations. Quoted material should not exceed 25% of the document. Check grammar and spelling before posting.
