ENGL 151 WD: English II

Summer 2021

Dr. Grayson

Essay 2: Critical Analysis of Poetry

The Assignment:

For this essay, I ask that you select a poem by one of the poets we have read by July 29. Like your last essay, this paper will be a thesis-driven critical analysis.

In order to write a good analysis, you will want to make use of a strategy called close reading, which asks you to focus your critical eye on one or more short passages of a text in order to better appreciate the whole. You will present your interpretation of the text in the form of a cohesive, narrowly-focused, and unifying thesis statement. In order to effectively draw such whole-text conclusions from the examination of shorter excerpts, close readings ask you to identify, “unpack,” and explain patterns in the text so that your reader will better appreciate the work you examine.

The first stage in doing a close reading is to carefully read and re-read your selected text with the goal of annotating it. Start by underlining, highlighting, or copying the words and phrases that you find to be particularly important or that encourage you to ask questions about the text. Take notes, either in the margin or on a separate sheet of paper. The second stage is evaluating and interpreting your notes and highlighted passages. Look for patterns and connections in your notes and ask yourself what they reveal about the text you are examining. Do you notice any repetitions, contradictions, parallels, inconsistencies, or stylistic shifts? The third stage in a close reading is to ask yourself questions about the patterns you have identified, especially how and why. How does the author explore a theme, for instance? Why does he or she choose to treat the subject in this way? Pay attention to patterns in the following areas: figurative language, diction, structure, style, characterization, and tone. Observe the context of each passage and text you analyze. How does it fit in the larger work?

Things to Consider:

Figurative language: Locate symbols, metaphors, similes, metonymy, synecdoche, imagery, etc. Consider all the possible literal and figurative connotations of each.

Diction: Examine the non-figurative language and investigate the various meanings and connotations of other key words.

Structure: Look at how the author chooses to shape his or her work. How does the form of the text contribute to its overall meaning?

Style: Look for patterns and disruptions in the author’s style. What might they reveal about his or her intent in writing the work?

Characterization: How does the author depict his or her subjects? How do they relate to one another? What do their relationships and interactions reveal about each other?

Specifications:

Minimum length: 750-1000 words (or 3-4 pages)

Due date: Monday, August 2 by 11:59 PM on Blackboard.

Header: Include your name, the due date, my name, and the course in your header. You do not need a title page or page numbers.

Other requirements: Your paper must be written in double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman font, have one-inch margins, and follow MLA formatting.

Online Resources Worth Consulting:

The Literary Link’s guide to close reading: http://theliterarylink.com/closereading.html

Harvard University’s guide: http://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/how-do-close-reading

Reed College’s guide: http://academic.reed.edu/writing/paper_help/close-reading.html

Purdue University’s guide to MLA style: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

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