Description
For this essay, you must select a poem from our textbook, The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Volume 2, and perform a detailed analysis of it in the context of the poet’s poetic affiliations, influences, and poetics. Your goal is to persuade your readers (the class) of your interpretation of the poem through a detailed analysis of the poet’s strategies in the poem, in the context of the poet’s affiliations, influences, and poetics.
Guidelines
The final paper should be about 750 words long in MLA format (about 3 pages long, typed, double-spaced, with 1” margins, and a 12-point font). Any use of sources must be documented in MLA format, including a works cited page for the primary works and any research you cite.
A 1-page proposal is due on Monday, February 27. In this proposal, identify the poem and poet you wish to write about and discuss that poet’s influences, affiliations, and poetics.
The essay is due on Monday, March 6.
Assessment
As stated in the syllabus:
This course will practice labor-based grading (aka ungrading), which means that the focus will be detracted from grades and refocused on doing high quality work in a timely manner and receiving substantive feedback. Each assignment will have clearly stated criteria for earning a grade at the A level and I will assess that this criteria has been met, offer feedback for improvement, and a grade within that range.
The A-level criteria for this essay are the following:
- Fulfilling all the assignment parameters as described above, including meeting the deadline.
- Having a thesis statement that offers an interpretation of the poem and is informed by the poet’s poetic practice.
- The thesis is proven in the essay through detailed analysis of the poem (informed by but beyond close reading) and research on the poet and their poetics.
- The essay is well organized, edited, and documented.