(Last Updated 18 April 2010)

Basic Pattern of Outline for Critical Analysis of Poem (Essay 6)—This conveys the logical content for the body paragraphs, but this does not necessarily mean one paragraph per Roman numeral:

I. Background (The “Why”)

A. Poet

B. Poem

C. Period

D. Other

II. Commentary/ Explication (The “How”)

A. Comments on the poem as a whole

B. Comments on specific lines or passages/ stanzas

______

Note: When you infer that a poet’s or a poem’s background influenced the content of the poem, you should use qualifying phrases such as, “This might reflect…” to indicate that some doubt might remain about the causal connections. We are dealing here with the mystery of authorial intent. This involves a thorny issue of “literary theory” among some literature teachers in universities, who will assure you that authorial intent is unknowable and irrelevant. In that, they are mostly incorrect, and they do not actually believe that, themselves, but you are wise to defer to their biases and preferences as much as possible. Also, as you explicate the poem in II. above, refer back to the background as connections become apparent with particular words or poem features.

Form for thesis of Essay 6: (Poet’s name), in his poem (“Name of Poem,”) develops the theme of (Theme) through his use of (Literary Devices, etc.). His use of this theme in this poem may reflect (Influences).*

Why ?--->What ?--->How ? (Last Updated 18 April 2010)

 What=Theme of poem  Why=Influences  How=Devices

*To explore influences: 1. Author’s biography 2. Literary/ historical time period background 3. Other works by same author 4. Critical reviews of author’s work

Here is a suggested sequence for elements of an introductory paragraph for the entire essay:

1. Begin by discussing the central image or idea (theme) of the poem as a topic unto itself, without reference to the poem (for example, the horrors of war, the mystery of love, the sadness over man’s mortality).

2. Introduce the period, poet and poem as a noteworthy or famous expression of the image or theme.

3. Raise a question (hook) about what has made the poem famous, successful, unique or noteworthy.

4. Answer this question with the thesis (see above for form)