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Take one of the poems we have read and discussed in class and analyze it for
figurative meaning. What does the poem say about life, love, war, relationships, or life in general?
Please use “The Poetry ‘Cheat’ Sheet” to prove your argument. You will be expected to quote from
your poem evidence of your claims. Remember that evidence in crucial to persuasion, but so is
explanation. Do not just give me quotes—make sure to say how it all fits your original theme.
Here’s a checklist of conventions to remember:
In your introductory paragraph, give the complete title of your work and the author’s full
name. After that, you can use the author’s last name when you refer to him or her.
You also need a thesis for your paper—usually this is in the introduction. Do not just
summarize the literary work you have read—you need to say what this work means, what is
says about the human experience and what people are like, or what lesson you can take from
the work.
Use literary words – if you talk about the unusual voice in “Ballad of the Landlord,” use “the
unusual speaker” or if you talk about the unusual things listed as examples in “Hope” talk
about the “striking images.”
Write in present tense – since a literary work is experienced by each reader each time it is
read, write as if it were happening right this minute.
Make sure to cite the quotes and indirect quotes (paraphrases) you use as evidence! If you
have questions, ask me.
Leave the “I” statements like “I think” or “I feel” or “in my opinion” out.
Do not use contractions in a formal essay.
Do not use the vague direct address “you.
REQUIREMENTS:
This essay should be at least 600 words in length and should conform to guidelines for form
and citations (see Section MLA in The Little Seagull Handbook). It should be typed, double-spaced,
and in size 10 or 12 Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman font. (No funky fonts, please.) The
margins should all be one inch.
Your essay will be graded on clarity of argument, supporting evidence, audience persuasion,
logical progression, strength of introduction and conclusion, grammar and punctuation, and proper
citation of supporting evidence. This means a “Works Cited” page IS REQUIRED.