Essay #2: Analysis and Interpretation of Visual Materiality in a Poem
October 28, 2022
Assignments
Description
The goal of this essay is to make an argument about why a poet made the choices they made in writing a poem, with special attention to the meaningful contributions of aspects of visual information in the poem. Your thesis statement should formulate what you think the poet was trying to communicate with the poem (your interpretation) and the essay should support your argument with detailed analyses of the choices and strategies the poet used at the level of visual information, such as use of formatting, fonts, visual arrangement of elements, mixing images, sound, or sculptural elements, animation, multiple modes of communication and other relevant aspects of the poem.
Parameters and Criteria
You can select any concrete poem, videopoem, kinetic poem, lyric video, or other kind of visual poem from any source for this assignment, as long as we haven't discussed it in detail in class.
Alternatively, you can write an original poem to satisfy this assignment (See creative option below)
Each paper should be about 1000 words (4 pages) in length.
It should offer an interpretive thesis that is supported by detailed analysis of the work.
When necessary, include screen-captured images or video to support your essay
The essay should be formatted in MLA or some other established format.
The essay is due on Friday, November 11 via ASU Learn.
Creative Option
If you prefer, you can write an original poem for this assignment, please accompany it with a 500 word essay that discusses how you shaped the poem to support your goals with the poem. (Post-grading note: the poem needs to be a visual, kinetic, video, or other kind of poem that takes advantage of visual materiality.)