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 poem and 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.
The essay is due on Friday, March 7.
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.
Criteria
- 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.
Learning Outcomes and AI Policy
This writing assignment has the following learning objectives:
- Developing your close reading and analytical skills.
- Applying the critical vocabulary and analytical techniques developed in class to the poem.
- Researching the poet's biography, poetic influences, and affiliations with poetic schools to formulate an understanding of their poetics.
- To formulate an interpretation of a poem based on close reading, analysis, and your understanding of the poet's poetics.
- To develop your writing skills by writing an essay that formulates a clear interpretation of what the poet was trying to communicate with the poem and supports it through an organized argument that draws from your insights in analyzing the poem and researching the poet.
You can use AI in any way you see fit, as long as it doesn't get in the way of you achieving these learning outcomes. If you use AI, include a brief statement at the end of your essay on how you used AI in this assignment.