Essay 1 Strategy

Where to start, how to get organized and how to write your paper

Step 1 – Deciding on your poem

As you choose your poem, make sure you pick one where there is a strong speaker or strong statement of theme.

Oftentimes, it is easier to identify speaker in a poem with a strong “I” presence.

Consider a poem that has meaning to YOU.

Step 2 – Reading and Notetaking

Mark parts of the poem that are important with a highlighter or jot down notes in the margin as you read the poem.

Notes areas where the same types of figures of speech, symbols or other elements of poetry are being used (such as the nature references in “The Farmer’s Bride”)

Your notes in your text will help you when you begin writing your essay.

Step 3 – More Reading

Don’t be satisfied with one reading of the poem. Read it again and again.

Spend some time away from the poem Read it again.

Step 4 – Breaking it down

This essay is an analysis, which comes from the Greek “breaking up.” How do the elements of the poem help to reveal the speaker or give meaning to the poem?

Use the questions in the text (397-398) to help you when analyzing the elements of the poem.

Step 4 — Breaking it down

Consider the different approaches to interpreting literature listed in the appendix of our text beginning on page 1090

For the most part, this essay assignment calls upon a formalist analysis of the poem because no outside sources are used. Ask how the form gives the poem meaning, but consider other approaches as well.

Step 5 – Deciding on a thesis

Sum up your controlling idea, your thesis, in one sentence. Usually, this sentence will be placed at the end of the introduction.

Don’t just write down a lot of random impressions about the poem. Give your impressions shape and form. Make one point strongly.

Stick to ideas that are related to your thesis.

Step 5 – Thesis

Consider a thesis similar to the ones in the textbook for Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz.”

Study the three sentences on page 406. Each could be supported in a convincing

essay. Consider YOUR interpretation.

Step 5 -- Thesis

A similar thesis could be constructed for Mew’s “The Farmer’s Bride.”

– Mew’s farmer shows his true character through the depiction of his relationship with his wife, figures of speech and imagery.

Step 5 – Thesis

You also could use the elements of poetry in this thesis:– Through the situation, word choice and imagery, the

reader understands the farmer’s feelings of confusion and frustration.

Step 6 – Creating an outline

Use your thesis to help you create an outline for your essay.

Your body paragraphs might be shaped around characteristics of the speaker or elements of poetry and what that elements reveals about the speaker or theme.

The outline you turn in should have a complete sentence thesis and phrases for the major headings.

Step 7 – Writing your essay

Create an original title that either uses the name of the poem and author or suggests what the essay will be about. Titles should be centered.– Longing in “The Farmer’s Bride”

Step 7 – Writing

Mention the author and the title of the poem early in the introduction.– Sometimes people are confused about situations in

their lives. They long for something different, but they seem unaware of how to reach their goals. In “The Farmer’s Bride,” Charlotte Mew paints a picture of a man who is unhappy with his life. The poem, written in the early 1900s, develops the character of the speaker, a farmer, who describes his young wife. Through the situation, word choice and imagery, the reader understands the farmer’s feelings of confusion and frustration.

Step 7 – Writing the essay

Do not use “I” in your essay. The essay comes from you, so unless otherwise noted, the reader assumes that the essay is your opinion. You also should avoid using “you” in essays. “You” is considered familiar and, therefore, has no place in a formal essay. Formal essays should use the third person (see Hacker).

Step 7 — Writing the essay

Avoid confusion between the speaker and the author.

For example, while Langston Hughes is an African-American poet, the writer cannot assume that he is the speaker in “Theme for English B.” Attribute the words and ideas to the speaker in the poem.

Step 7 – Writing the essay

Present tense is used when discussing literature. The farmer compares

When discussion historical events or incidents in the author’s life, though, use the past tense.

Step 7 – Writing the essay

Use frequent references to the poem itself to support your thesis and topic sentences.

Use MLA style to document where you have used the poem in your essay.

Step 7 – Writing the essay

Make sure your conclusion effectively wraps up the essay. Avoid just restating your introduction.