Description
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For your third essay, focus on a single poem from one of the following poets: John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, or John Milton. Then, as with previous essays, write at least one thousand words to fulfill your assignment. Remember that you should use length as an indicator of development, not as an indicator of quality. I ask you to choose one poem because I want this essay to have focus. You may make reference to another poem or two by the same poet, particularly if you see similar themes in them, but focus on one poem. Also do not work on a poem that we discussed in class. Once again, I don't want you to discuss the writer's biography or the historical period; the essay is to be an interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of a poem.Create a thesis statement that reflects your interpretation (your opinion) of some aspect of the work you've chosen. The thesis must have a specific focus. Once you have clarified this thesis, choose passages and incidents from the text of the work to argue that your opinion is a valid interpretation of whatever topic you've chosen. In your writing, I'm looking for a reasonable tone and for logical explanations and connections within the work. I don't want an essay based on emotions. I want critical thinking that reflects intelligence and thoughtfulness. Also, I do not want this essay to be a research paper. You are to respond intellectually to the work you've chosen. Do not use outside sources. However, if you should be influenced by some outside source, then you must document it thoroughly to avoid plagiarism. Please see my statement about plagiarism; for a thorough discussion of plagiarism and the severity of it, follow the link that I've just given you, or find the link for it on my homepage.
Since you will be working on poetry, you should pay particular attention to the rhyme, rhythm, metaphors, similes, alliteration, assonance, consonance, hyperbole, paradox, pun, and other poetic devices that the poet uses to convey his message. Don't just make a list of these styistic devices; rather, show how the language of the poem fits with the theme that the poem is expressing.
Since you will be choosing your own topic for this assignment, I want you to clear it with me before you begin your essay.
The essay should use the standard MLA form of documentation that is included in the back of the Diana Hacker text, The Bedford Handbook, which all of the English composition courses use on campus. You have also been using this documentation for the previous two essays.
Format of the Essay
In writing your essay, I want you to adhere to the standard format for manuscripts; that is, type the paper, and be sure to double-space it; please be kind to my aging eyes and use a twelve-pitch font. A readable text is important, so don't rely on a weak ink cartridge. In the upper lefthand corner of the first page, include your name, English 243, and Essay #3. Be certain to create a title for the paper that connects with the thesis. On the second and succeeding pages, include your last name and the page number (Alvarez 2, Alvarez 3, etc.) in the upper right hand corner. For additional hints about how to write a paper about literature follow this link.Confine your direct quotations to no more than fifteen percent of your paper. And don't waste a great deal of time summarizing or paraphrasing the contents of the poem or poems. Rather, talk about the tone, mood, figurative language, rhyme, rhythm, and so on that lead you to your interpretation. If you do little more than summarize the poem, you will earn no higher than a "D." I want to know what you think about this work, how you interpret it, and how you evaluate it. As long as you are willing to support your points with evidence from the text, don't hesitate to say "I think." Do the best you can with this paper. No one can ask more of you.
Due Date
The due date and the late date are listed on the syllabus.Good luck!