ESSAY : POETRY EXPLICATION
Paper Requirements:
You will choose any poem by one of the poets covered, though not a poem we read in class.
Please include a copy of the poem chosen with you paper.
Poetry Explication:
What is an explication of a poem? It is a detailed explanation or interpretation. It discusses the poem's form (Sonnet? Quatrains? Free form?).
If rhyme is used, it discusses how the rhyme adds to one's understanding of the poem. It discusses the poem's tone and theme (serious or humorous? subject/message or meaning?).
It discusses important figures of speech or other techniques (metaphor? simile? alliteration?) which contribute to the overall effect of the poem.
What is NOT an explication of a poem? It is NOT a personal statement about how the poem makes you feel, unless that statement is supported by reference to specific lines in the poem.
Your personal reaction must be based on the poem itself, not on your background or the mood you happen to be in when you read the poem.
Poetry uses many devices in order to convey its feeling or message or ideas. This includes: figurative language, sound, imagery, structure, language, word choice, juxtaposition, repetition, etc.
In your poetry explication you will choose a poem that interests you and explain what you think the message/feeling/meaning of that poem is by explaining how you think these poetic devices work within the poem.
The list of approved poets include:
Rita Dove
Anne Sexton
Sylvia Plath
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Walt Whitman
Ezra Pound
William Carlos Williams
E. E. Cummings
Maya Angelou
Sharon Olds
Langston Hughes
Amiri Baraka