Poetry Analysis Essay

SEEN 30123
Survey of the Afro-Asian Literature

I. Introduction
A. Hook/ Lead (Attention-getter to lead into the subject of your essay)
B. State TAG (title, author, genre)
C. Briefly summarize the poem (speaker and situation)
D. Clear THESIS that states the main elements used and how it contributes to the theme

II. Body
A. Meaning and Message(T)
i. Surface Meaning (what is happening in the poem?)
ii. Deeper Meaning (what is the poem actually about?)
iii. Theme (what is the poem’s message about an aspect in life?)

B. Poetic Elements –what are they(I-M-E)

iv. Imagery/Symbolism
v. Language Devices
vi. Sound Devices

C. Contribution to Theme
i. What the poetic elements reveal (meaning mood/tone)
ii. Why they were used/how they relate or help in conveying the theme

III. Conclusion
i. Summarize the main points you discuss in the body
ii. Rephrase the THESIS in a different way
iii. Clincher: Relate the poem’s message (theme)to broader themes in life. What can we learn from it?
Ask yourself, “so what?”