Poetry Explication Essay
Directions:
1. Select a poem to explicate and submit it using the Google form provided in the lesson module by the end of the week.
I must approve the poem. The poem must meet the following criteria:
· Written by a published, critically-acclaimed author (no songs please)
· Between 14-30 lines in length
· Should be a piece that resonates with you personally
2. Write an explication on your chosen poem meeting the following criteria:
· 1000 word minimum
· MLA format (12 pt font, Times New Roman, header, double-spaced, 1” margins, etc.)
· Poem should be cited on a Works Cited page
· Lines or phrases from the poem should be quoted throughout the essay (the first time you quote, include a parenthetical citation; this isn’t needed for subsequent quotations since you have no other outside sources)
· NO OUTSIDE SOURCES should be used except the dictionary—the purpose of this assignment is to see how well YOU can analyze the meaning of a poem on your own
· Include the full text of your poem on a separate page after the Works Cited (this does not count toward your word requirement)
· See the rubric on the next page to ensure you meet all content requirements
Essay structure
· Opening paragraph
· 1st sentence introduces poem, poet, speaker, and conflict/dramatic situation
· Following sentences explore “big picture” issues (refer to PowerPoint)
· Subsequent paragraphs
· In no particular order, the following elements should be thoroughly analyzed:
· METER
· RHYME
· IMAGERY
· FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
· DICTION AND SYNTAX
· FORM
· No conclusion needed
Due date
· Final draft should be submitted by
11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2024.
· Essays are deducted 10 points per day late up to 3 days, so please submit on time!
· Essays will be scanned through SafeAssign and MUST receive a passing originality score to be graded.
Rubric
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Excellent
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Good
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Fair
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Poor
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Approved on Time
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5
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N/A
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N/A
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0
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Organization
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31-35
Coherent argument, paragraphs in correct order, all elements analyzed, all analyses contribute to overall theme/message
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26-30
Coherent argument, paragraphs in correct order, all elements present and analyzed, may need more connection to overall theme/message
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21-25
Mostly coherent argument, 1-2 elements may be merely mentioned without fully analyzing them, may struggle to address overall theme/message
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0-20
Incoherent argument, more than 2 elements mentioned without fully analyzing them or are missing altogether, or may struggle to address overall theme/message
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Analysis
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31-35
Analysis for each element is in-depth and correct, supported with textual evidence
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26-30
Analysis for each element is mostly in-depth and supported with textual evidence; 1-2 assertions may be incorrect or need more explanation
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21-25
Analysis for elements is mostly surface-level or struggles to support with textual evidence; some analyses may be incorrect or require more explanation
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0-20
Analysis for elements is poor or missing altogether; lack of textual evidence; multiple assertions made in essay are incorrect or unsupported
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Mechanics
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21-25
Paper is polished and edited with correct formatting, citations, and no major grammatical errors
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16-20
Paper is polished and edited with correct formatting, citations, and only 1-2 major grammatical errors
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11-15
Paper may have several significant errors; or there may be formatting and citation issues; word count may be up to 100 words too short
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0-10
Errors in paper are distracting and prevalent; significant formatting issues; and/or citations incorrect/missing; word count may be more than 100 words too short
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Essay Checklist:
____ Poem approved on time
____ Essay in MLA format
____ Poem cited in-text parenthetically and on a Works Cited page
____ Full text of poem included on last page after Works Cited
____ No other outside sources used
____ Essay at least 1000 words long (full text of poem not included in word count)
____ All required elements analyzed in first paragraph:
____ Poem title and poet’s name
____ Speaker
____ Conflict or dramatic situation
____ Other “big picture” elements (time/place, overall message/purpose)
____ All required elements analyzed in no particular order in remaining paragraphs:
____ Rhyme scheme
____ Meter
____ Form
____ Diction and syntax
____ Imagery
____ Figurative language
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