Further preparation for the final exam: Writing About Poetry

There is no secret to writing about poetry, any more there was the short story or drama; the difference is only that we have not done it before.To get a good idea of what is expected, read the sample student essay in your text, pages 861-864, AND pay special attention to the accompanying notes in the margin. This is an essay on Emily Dickinson’s  poetry.   

Note the following: 

•          The first paragraph contains an introduction to Dickinson and provides a thesis statement that indicates the essay will discuss Emily Dickinson’s religious faith that is seen in her poetry. Your first paragraph should introduce Robert Frost and provide a thesis statement concerning a particular aspect that can be evidenced in Frost’s poetry.

•          Each body paragraph provides an explanation of a specific poem and how it relates to the thesis statement—the paragraph does NOT try to analyze the entire poem; it focuses specifically on the topic raised in the thesis sentence.  In the same manner, if you are analyzing a particular trait in Frost’s poetry, perhaps the importance of setting along with tradition and custom, you will NOT need to analyze the “Out, Out—” in regard to the inevitability of change. Or, to be blunt, an analysis based on the internet could be informative, but will not satisfy the essay assignment.

•          Note that there are at least 3 poems analyzed and used to support the thesis statement. That should tell you how many poems you need to use

•          The essay on Dickinson concludes with a “well-supported final analysis of the poet’s views on God and faith.” Likewise, your essay on Frost and his poetry should conclude with a well-supported statement of the poet’s views on which ever topic you have analyzed.

•          Note how lines of poetry are quoted in the essay on Dickinson; the title of the poem should be in quotation marks; lines, phrases, words from a poem are also quoted, with quotation marks, exactly as they appear in the poem and the line(s) given in parentheses.  Pay attention to this, as it is in the correct format and is expected, particularly if you are seeking an “A.”

You will have 3 topics from which to choose. If you want to bring a laptop, type your final on the laptop and email it to me, I’ll be happy to check to make sure I received it.

Frost’s poems we’ve read or that were assigned:

“Out, Out—“

“Old Man’s Winter Night”

“After Apple Picking”

“Stopping by the Woods”

“One Acquainted With the Night”

“Neither Far Out nor In Deep”

“Birches”

“Death of a Hired Man”
"Nothing Gold Can Stay"
"Mending Wall"