Select ONE of the following poems:
- Robert Frost’s “Nothing gold can stay”
- W. S. Merwin’s “Trees”
- Langston Hughes’ “Fulfillment”
- Joy Harjo’s “Don’t Bother the Earth Spirit”
- Maya Angelou’s “When Great Trees Fall”
- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “Cutting the Sun”
- Select a poem of your choice from Poetry Foundation
- Select a poem on the course schedule (if you have not written about it for a discussion assignment).
Sample Assignment
Sample Essay: Poe’s “Annabel Lee”
Content Requirements
A. Header Information (Left Aligned)
Your Name:
Course: ENGL 1102
Instructor’s Name: Tonia Pahari
Date:
B. Title (Centered)
Creative title: Subtitle – Author’s name and title of the text
C. About the Poem
Provide a brief description of the poem. Begin with the heading, “About the Poem.” Respond to the following questions: What is the poem about? What is the theme of the poem (or what point is the author trying to make about the subject)? Please note the theme is stated in one sentence.
D. Literary Element #1
Select one of the following literary elements of your choice: tone, speaker, diction and language, figurative language, or sound devices and form. For further assistance, review the questions below. Begin this section with a heading that describes the literary element. Write a short analysis paragraph.
E. Literary Element #2
Select one of the following literary elements of your choice: tone, speaker, diction and language (select a different word, line, or stanza), figurative language, or sound devices and form. For further assistance, review the questions below. Begin this section with a heading that describes the literary element. Write a short analysis paragraph.
F. Literary Element #3
Select one of the following literary elements of your choice: tone, speaker, diction and language (select a different word, line, or stanza), figurative language, or sound devices and form. For further assistance, review the questions below. Begin this section with a heading that describes the literary element. Write a short analysis paragraph.
G. Literary Element #4
Select one of the following literary elements of your choice: tone, speaker, diction and language (select a different word, line, or stanza), figurative language, or sound devices and form. For further assistance, review the questions below. Begin this section with a heading that describes the literary element. Write a short analysis paragraph.
Literary Elements (Questions to Consider)
Speaker of the poem
Identify the speaker of the poem, and write a short analysis paragraph. Begin with a heading that describes the speaker, such as “A lover of nature.” Questions to consider are as follows: Who is the speaker of the poem? Does the poem suggest anything about the speaker’s emotions, views or beliefs? Does the poem suggest anything about the speaker’s background, culture, or time period in which the speaker lived? Do not simply answer the questions. Make sure your paragraph is organized and developed.
Tone of the Poem
Identify the tone of the poem and write a short analysis paragraph. Begin with a heading that describes the tone. Use adjectives to identify the tone of the poem; use a maximum of three words to describe the tone. Questions to consider are as follows: 1. What is the subject? What is the writer’s attitude toward the subject? Or, what is the tone? What words, lines, or parts of the poem make you feel this way? 2. How does the tone relate to the theme (or any other part of the text)? 3. How would the text be different if you changed the tone? Do not simply answer the questions. Make sure your paragraph is organized and developed.
Imagery and Figurative Language Devices
Select one or more images or figurative language devices, and write a short analysis paragraph. Begin with a short heading, such as “Imagery and Figurative Language Devices.” Questions to consider are as follows: Which image or figurative language device did you select? What does the figurative language device mean? How does it contribute to theme or overall meaning of the text? Does the artist use this figurative language device frequently? Why? How might the text be different if you changed the imagery or figurative language device? Do not simply answer the questions. Make sure your paragraph is organized and developed.
Sound Devices
Select one or more sound devices (rhyme, repetition, alliteration, and so on). Write a short analysis paragraph. Begin with a short heading, such as “Sound Devices” or “98 decibels of rhyme.” Questions to consider are as follows: How does the sound device contribute to the overall meaning of the text? Does the sound device give it a dramatic effect? Does it speed up the intensity of the text? Does it create resonance or add a musical quality? Does it give the text a pleasant or harsh sound? Does it bring attention to specific words, lines, or other parts of the text? Do not simply answer the questions. Make sure your paragraph is organized and developed.
Sample Solution
