Reviewing Prompt AnalysisWriting EssaysEmily Dickinson Poetry

Practice Prompt:Emily Dickinson Poetry

Step 1: Read the Prompt

Select an image in a work of poetry that you find especially memorable, and explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and analyze the reasons for its effectiveness.

Practice Prompt:Emily Dickinson Poetry

Step 2: Break it Down

1. What are you asked to use?

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2. What are you asked to do?

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3. How many content paragraphs does it naturally ask you for?

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Practice Prompt:Emily Dickinson Poetry

Step 3: Type of Essay

Is it…

A) a research paper

B) a narrative

C) a compare/contrast

D) am analysis

D) a persuasive paper

Practice Prompt:Emily Dickinson Poetry

Step 4: Writer’s Role and Audience

My role is to…

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My audience is…

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Practice Prompt:Emily Dickinson Poetry

Step 5: Answer the Question

Quick Brainstorm (we’ll expand later):

What image are you planning to use? Circle it on the poem, put a star next to it, highlight it, etc.

In a single statement, how is it related to the rest of the poem?

In a single statement, what about this line makes it particularly effective?

Topic Sentences

Also known as “focus statement”

Encapsulates (sums up, gives direction to) and organizes the entire paragraph

Should be included at the beginning of every major content paragraph

Should always connect back to the thesis of the essay

Should be a claim, not a fact (make a point, and then the paragraph will give reasons and examples to support that point

In analytic paragraphs (sans introductions), first topic sentence should include: 1. author, 2. work title, 3. focus.; second/third/etc paragraphs should include: 1. author, 2. focus.

Example Topic Sentences

Opening Paragraph:

Good or Bad?

In Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Success is counted sweetest,” the image of the royal victor in battle serves as the antagonist in the speaker’s discussion of the value of success.

Example Topic Sentences

Opening Paragraph:

Good or Bad?

In Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Success is counted sweetest,” the image of the royal victor in battle serves as the antagonist in the speaker’s discussion of the value of success.

Good or Bad?

Emily Dickinson talks a lot about success and failure in her poem.

Example Topic Sentences

Secondary Paragraph:

Good or bad?

The royal victor in stanza 2 has experienced success, but doesn’t know the value of it.

Example Topic Sentences

Secondary Paragraph:

Good or bad?

The royal victor in stanza 2 has experienced success, but doesn’t know the value of it.

Good or bad?

The effectiveness of the image of the royal victor in Dickinson’s poem lies in the speaker’s attitude toward this antagonistic character.

Create your own!

Use your answers to Step 5.

Create a first paragraph topic sentence – make sure to include the name of the author, the title of the work, and the focus. Make sure it identifies the image and briefly states how it is related to the work as a whole.

Create a second paragraph topic sentence – make sure to include the name of the author and the focus. Make sure it revisits the image again and briefly claims how it is effective.

Hint! You do not need to give ALL of your information in this one statement. Briefly give a single, concise statement. The rest will be explained in the content of your paragraph.

Peer EditShare with a neighbor – go through the following checklist:

TS #1:Does it give the author’s name?

Does it give the title of the work?

Does it identify a specific image?

Does it connect to the purpose of the poem as a whole?

Is it a claim and not a fact?

TS #2:Does it give the author’s name?

Does it revisit the specific image?

Does it briefly describe its effectiveness?

Is it a claim and not a fact?