Sonnet poem and Poem analysis

Writing a Sonnet

DIRECTIONS:

Love is one of the most popular themes in traditional sonnets; it has been explored in poetry for centuries, but even today, poets find new and unique ways to write about it. Your job is to write your own sonnet on the topic of love—so first, figure out what you want to say about it. Then compose your sonnet below using the Shakespearean sonnet rhyme scheme and meter. The end rhyme scheme has been provided to help you. Simply click on each line to begin typing your poem.

Stanza 1: Introduces the theme/dramatic situation
	A
	B
	A
	B
Stanza 2: Provides another example of the theme
	C
	D
	C
	D
Stanza 3: Provides a third example of the theme
	E
	F
	E
	F
Couplet (Resolution/implications)
	G
	G

Notes:

· End rhymes may be true rhymes or slant rhymes

· Must follow the rhyme scheme and be written in iambic pentameter to receive a passing grade

· It may be helpful to write a rough draft on a separate sheet of paper first to figure out what you want to say—then come back and figure out how to say it using the sonnet pattern

· Understanding iambic pentameter:

· Each line of the poem will have 10 syllables (not words… syllables!)

· The first syllable in each “pair” (foot) will be unstressed; the second will be stressed

· When done correctly, you’ll notice a bouncy “horse galloping” rhythm to the lines

Examples:

“Shall I com pare thee to a sum mer’s day ?”

“So long lives this , and this gives life to thee .”

Poetry Explication Essay

Directions:

1. Select a poem to explicate and submit it using the Google form provided in the lesson module by the end of the week. I must approve the poem. The poem must meet the following criteria:

· Written by a published, critically-acclaimed author (no songs please)

· Between 14-30 lines in length

· Should be a piece that resonates with you personally

2. Write an explication on your chosen poem meeting the following criteria:

· 1000 word minimum

· MLA format (12 pt font, Times New Roman, header, double-spaced, 1” margins, etc.)

· Poem should be cited on a Works Cited page

· Lines or phrases from the poem should be quoted throughout the essay (the first time you quote, include a parenthetical citation; this isn’t needed for subsequent quotations since you have no other outside sources)

· NO OUTSIDE SOURCES should be used except the dictionary—the purpose of this assignment is to see how well YOU can analyze the meaning of a poem on your own

· Include the full text of your poem on a separate page after the Works Cited (this does not count toward your word requirement)

· See the rubric on the next page to ensure you meet all content requirements

Essay structure

· Opening paragraph

· 1st sentence introduces poem, poet, speaker, and conflict/dramatic situation

· Following sentences explore “big picture” issues (refer to PowerPoint)

· Subsequent paragraphs

· In no particular order, the following elements should be thoroughly analyzed:

· METER

· RHYME

· IMAGERY

· FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

· DICTION AND SYNTAX

· FORM

· No conclusion needed

Due date

· Final draft should be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2024.

· Essays are deducted 10 points per day late up to 3 days, so please submit on time!

· Essays will be scanned through SafeAssign and MUST receive a passing originality score to be graded.

Rubric

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Approved on Time	5	N/A	N/A	0
Organization	31-35 Coherent argument, paragraphs in correct order, all elements analyzed, all analyses contribute to overall theme/message	26-30 Coherent argument, paragraphs in correct order, all elements present and analyzed, may need more connection to overall theme/message	21-25 Mostly coherent argument, 1-2 elements may be merely mentioned without fully analyzing them, may struggle to address overall theme/message	0-20 Incoherent argument, more than 2 elements mentioned without fully analyzing them or are missing altogether, or may struggle to address overall theme/message
Analysis	31-35 Analysis for each element is in-depth and correct, supported with textual evidence	26-30 Analysis for each element is mostly in-depth and supported with textual evidence; 1-2 assertions may be incorrect or need more explanation	21-25 Analysis for elements is mostly surface-level or struggles to support with textual evidence; some analyses may be incorrect or require more explanation	0-20 Analysis for elements is poor or missing altogether; lack of textual evidence; multiple assertions made in essay are incorrect or unsupported
Mechanics	21-25 Paper is polished and edited with correct formatting, citations, and no major grammatical errors	16-20 Paper is polished and edited with correct formatting, citations, and only 1-2 major grammatical errors	11-15 Paper may have several significant errors; or there may be formatting and citation issues; word count may be up to 100 words too short	0-10 Errors in paper are distracting and prevalent; significant formatting issues; and/or citations incorrect/missing; word count may be more than 100 words too short

Essay Checklist:

____ Poem approved on time

____ Essay in MLA format

____ Poem cited in-text parenthetically and on a Works Cited page

____ Full text of poem included on last page after Works Cited

____ No other outside sources used

____ Essay at least 1000 words long (full text of poem not included in word count)

____ All required elements analyzed in first paragraph:

____ Poem title and poet’s name

____ Speaker

____ Conflict or dramatic situation

____ Other “big picture” elements (time/place, overall message/purpose)

____ All required elements analyzed in no particular order in remaining paragraphs:

____ Rhyme scheme

____ Meter

____ Form

____ Diction and syntax

____ Imagery

____ Figurative language

2

2