Poetry Explanation Essay

Poetry Explication

 MLA format  2-3 pages  750 words  This assignment is worth 10 points  Direct quotes from the poem must be used and properly cited, no works cited page

required.

Poets are often stereotyped as eccentric or hard to understand. Often their messages seem buried within the lines of their work, veiled by obscure diction or syntax. It is no wonder, then, that when writing about poetry it is called explication rather than analysis.

The first and often hardest thing to do when explicating a poem is to develop a theme (see p 841 in Lit). I want you in the same city with your theme, not necessarily in the same ballpark. Read both poetry selections and ask your self the questions on p 763 in Lit. When you develop your theme (meaning) remember to connect it to one of three things:

 Human Nature  Society  Culture

Do not give me a “one word” theme such as, “The theme of Ode on a Grecian Urn is immortality.” Immediately, I will ask, “so what?” What about immortality relates to human nature, society, or culture? Do not develop a “summary theme” such as, “Meditations on the South Valley is about someone living in a small town where there is a lot of gossip.” Once you have developed a theme, decide what three elements of poetry the poet uses to advance that theme. These elements can be found in Chapter 13 in Lit., and here are the main elements I would like you to use:

 Voice: Speaker and Tone  Diction  Imagery  Figures of Speech: Simile and Metaphor  Symbolism (Do not use Allegory)  Syntax

Your paper will be written in the five paragraph essay format (refer to the “Five Paragraph Essay” under “Course Documents.” Every specific support must include a direct quote from the poem. This will be your illustration or the I in PIE.

The first paragraph should include all of the following and I do not mind if you use this example in your explication:

In the poem insert poem title here (italicize or place within quotation marks – not both) poet’s full name uses element of poetry (point A), element of poetry (point B), and element of poetry (point C) to advance the theme of insert your theme here.

Refer to the sample student paper I have posted under “Course Documents.”

Although you do not need a works cited page, you do need to cite the line(s) of poetry you use. Here are a few pointers on MLA and poetry citations:

 Remember to always introduce your quote. Example: Baca writes, “  A single line is written and cited this way: Baca writes, “I love the wind” (ln 1). [the ln

indicates a single line. Notice how the introduction is in present tense. The entire paper should be written that way]

 One to four lines are cited this way: Baca writes, “I love the wind / when it blows through my barrio” (lns 1-2). [a forward slash / indicates a line break.

 Five or more lines use a block quote and revert to normal punctuation:

Baca writes:

I love the wind

when it blows through my barrio.

It hisses its snake love

down calles de polvo,

and cracks egg-shell skins

of abandoned homes. (lns 1-6)

(If you use a block quote, format with a hanging indent two tab spaces from the left margin)

The explanation portion of your specific supports or the E in PIE is where most students have the most difficulty. You make a point, give an illustration from the poem in the form of a direct quote, then offer an explanation, which often turns out to be nothing more than a summary of the quote. Just as you linked your theme to human nature, society, or culture, you should link your explanation the same way. Be sure the explanation is connected to your theme! Refer to the sample paper for an example of this. Good luck writing!