English IV Poetry AnalysisAssignment:

For this paper, you'll choose a poem from the British Romantic Era and analyze the literary and rhetorical choices of the author.

Your thesis should focus on and clearly state the impact you believe one (or several) of the devices/choices has.

Use this information to help you plan this essay:

What is a Literary Analysis?

Think about it like a science lab: when you're asked to analyze something under a microscope what exactly are you looking for?

  • What is it made of (components)?
  • How is it put together (structure)?
  • What does it do (function)?
  • How does it interact with other things in the environment (interaction / context)?
  • Does it grow or change (evolution)?

Now apply that process to a work of literature.

  1. Components
  2. Literary devices
  3. Characters
  4. Setting
  5. Syntax & diction
  6. Structure
  7. Organization
  8. Sentence type & length
  9. Genre or style [e.g., English (Shakespearean) or Italian (Petrarchan) sonnet]
  10. Function
  11. Why?
  12. Purpose?
  13. Interaction
  14. With the audience
  15. Context (author's life / history / etc.)
  16. Growth / evolution / change
  17. Within the work itself

When analyzing, you'll address such questions as these:

  1. How does X help us understand the author's argument?
  2. What impact does X have on the progress of the work?
  3. Does X hold a place of importance? Why or why not?
  4. What literary devices are used by the author to present the theme?
  5. Does X bear any particular relevance metatextually (to the author's life or the time period)?

The paper should be between 2-4 double spaced pages and follow standard MLA formatting guidelines. Further, you should cite at least three specific literary / rhetorical devices. You may use the rubric below to aid in your planning.

You may also wish to visit Purdue's site on writing about poetry for more information:

In addition to these resources, I am also available and more than willing to help you with your analysis to make sure you are on the right track. However, you must MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to see me. Do not ask me in the middle of class for help!

Rubric:

Compositional Features

  1. The paper has a clear and engaging title. 5 points
  2. The paper has a clear thesis. 15 points
  3. Minimum number of examples has been met. 10 points
  4. The paper is well organized and centered around the thesis. 30 points

TOTAL 60 points

Manuscript Features

  1. Paper is free of mechanical and spelling errors. 10 points
  2. Paper follows MLA format. 10 points
  3. Quotations are properly incorporated. 10 points

TOTAL 30 points

Process Features

  1. Evidence of planning and editing is provided. 10 points

TOTAL 10 points