Paper 3: Final Draft

Explicating a Poem

Assignment: For your third essay, you will be writing a poetry explication. This is essentially a critical analysis based on a close reading of a text. In fact, explication is a line-by-line or word-by-word examination and interpretation, in which you must unfold the layers of meaning of a work. Please select one of the following themes: barriers, aging/death, family, or cultural identity. Select a poem from the syllabus that exhibits this theme.

Organization: This essay requires you to closely examine the entire poem. You will want to write an introduction in which you establish a thesis that asserts your position on the poem (as related to the topic provided). Your supporting paragraphs should examine the poem part by part. You may go in order or you may see like ideas in different parts of the passage that you want to talk about together. You don’t necessarily have to discuss every line, but you shouldn’t leave out a major chunk of the poem. Finally, your conclusion should sum up your points and discuss the significance of your thesis and analysis in better understanding the poem.

Purpose: The writer of an explication tries to examine and unfold all the details in a work that a sensitive reader might consider. These might include allusions, the denotations or connotations of words, the possible meanings of symbols or metaphors, the larger themes emphasized, the sense of any statements that contain irony, etc. While not trying to rip the passage to pieces, the writer of a useful explication instead tries to show how each part of the poem contributes to the work as a whole.

Note: An explication should NOT be confused with a paraphrase. A paraphrase simply puts the literal meaning of the passage into plain prose sense. An explication, unlike a paraphrase, does not simply restate. It explains, and in great detail. In fact, it dwells on details as well as larger things. It brings them to the attention of a reader who might have missed them. You must take pains to notice anything meaningful that is not already obvious, whether it is a colossal theme or a little hint contained in a single word.

Requirements:

Length: Your essay should be at least 750 words and no longer than 1000 words.

Medium: This paper must follow correct MLA guidelines; it must be double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, 12-point type, and Times New Roman font.

Citation: If you quote textual evidence, please cite it correctly using MLA citation. Also, please include a works cited page with the story you are using. Please refer to Purdue Owl’s MLA online style guide if you have questions.

Important: Do NOT use any outside sources for this paper. This includes all internet sources. Any outside sources will result in failure of the assignment.