poem

What to do:

Write an analytical essay of at least 750 words. This essay, and all of the others you write for this class, should be typed DOUBLE SPACED as a Word document or an rft file, in 12-point font, and submitted as an attachtment on Assignments Page (found under the Course Menu). If you run into technical problems, you may e-mail me your paper as an rtf (rich text file) or word doc attachment within Blackboard or outside of it if need be at [email protected]. Essay must be submitted by BY DUE DATE and TIME as posted on Calendar. Your initial number grade will be lowered by three points for each day it is late.

Please go to Review Module and read specifications before you submit or your grade will suffer. Follow the instructions found in "Essay Format and Presentation" for heading, filename, and subject heading. Your heading should be followed by an interesting title of your own making. In other words, avoid using the words "analyzing" and "three" and "images" in your title. After you write your paper, consider what your paper presents that is uniquely your own language and thought and then create a title of your own making that no one else will likely have as a title. Put titles of poems, short stories, dramas in quotation marks. Underline or italicize titles of novels. Do not underline, italicize, or place in quotes your own words in the title of your paper.

Go to Web Links for help with thesis, how to cite poetry properly, how to incorporate quotes into your paper, etc...

In this essay, you will analyze and explore three images, one frome each stanza from "Black Hair." You will show what each image means by explaining words, references, pictures that you see, by rephrasing and expanding upon your ideas so that we can get a sense of your approach to the text. As a result of exploring and analyzing these images, you and your reader should come to a better understanding of the poem.

Your audience for this essay is your peers and your instructor. Your purpose is to explain what the images show. BE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT REPEAT THE SAME LANGUAGE BUT THAT YOU REPHRASE AND EXPAND YOUR IDEAS WITH NEW WORDS. DON'T KEEP QUOTING THE SAME LANGUAGE OVER AND OVER--REPHRASE! I REPEAT, rephrase.

Prewrite:

· Find one image from each stanza that you would like to explore. Make an effort to choose images that are related but not all about the same point.

· Do a free writing for each image. Begin each sentence like this: The first (second, third) image " (quote it)" shows.... Then complete the sentence with a predicate. For example "The first image shows that the boy admires Hector Moreno as if he were some sort of god.

· As you free write, analyze words. Example: The word, "altar," suggests that the arrangement of cards has a religious significance.

· Quote from the text. Quote both lines and words. Example: The word, "altar," suggests that the arrangement of cards has a religious significance.

· Plan to develop each paragraph fully--at least five supporting sentence for each topic sentence.

· After describing three images, write a paragraph that explains what these three images have in common. Tell what thread runs through them. (If you find no thread runs through them, you had better change an image or two).

· Build a thesis based on the paragraph about the thread that runs through these images. Example: The images show the boy's need to feel powerful in his world.

· See if all paragraphs support that idea. If they do, go with it. If not make some adjustments.

Write a Draft:

Write an introduction that:

· names work and author

· states the images your essay will analyze with any relevant background necessary to explain context

· states thesis

Write body paragraphs that:

· have explicit topic sentences

· relate back to thesis, supporting and developing it

· have relevant, appropriate, logically-developed supporting details

· include DIFFERENT supporting quotes from the text (at least one per paragraph)

· rephrase the quotes you are analyzing in an effort to unpack them

Write a conclusion that:

· sums up

· shows meaning gained by analysis of images

Share your draft with your peer group and give and get at least two peer reviews using the Evaluation Guide.

Revise Draft:

Review your draft considering suggestions and comments from peers.

Check each sentence for logic, clarity, and correctness.

Submit essay as an assignments on your Course Menu due date and time, or by the other means listed above.