Poetry essay 1

Choose a poem from the anthology, a poem that you think has intense meaning, and write an analysis of it.

(here's a helpful article from the NYTimes)

What does the poem MEAN?

1. Literally, what is its subject

2. Emotionally, what is its effect?

How did the poet get you to feel that?

Think structurally first:

How did the poet manipulate language

to have an effect on us?

Then think in terms of another critical approach.

What will open up this poem for you?

By the end of your essay, answer this question:

WHAT IS THIS POEM DOING?