Poem Assignment

Writing Project #1 – Poetry

English Composition II

Dr. Wester

Now that everyone has his or her textbook, it is time to begin our first writing project, which is about poetry. It is an analysis using theme as the center of gravity.  I like to think of these essays as having a thematic center of gravity because that is what I like to see as the center that holds our ideas together. Everything in the essay will orbit around the theme. The theme could be love, death, lonliness, suffering, growing up, the meaning of life, sacrifice and hard work, it is up to you. You are only limited here by your own imagination and how deeply you engage with the text.

Your job is to take two or three poems that are linked by theme, or linked thematically, and do a discussion about how each poet treats that theme. How do the poems connect, and where do they diverge? The poems must be from the textbook. No exceptions.

Ulitmately, you will want to produce a written work that has an introduction and a conclusion, a clear thesis statement (the center of gravity), and body paragraphs that explore 2-3 poems in some depth. Most very good essays tend to be 4-6 pages in length, with bad essays coming in at 1-3 pages in length. It just works out that way.

As always, use Times New Roman font, 12 pt., double space, and paragraphs with a 5 space indent. Failure to achieve correct formatting will result in instant failure.