Instructions: Analyze one of the following sonnets by creating a thesis to be proved through the discussion of how poetic elements such as tone, mood, speaker, setting, personification, imagery, symbo

Instructions: Analyze one of the following sonnets by creating a thesis to be proved through the discussion of how poetic elements such as tone, mood, speaker, setting, personification, imagery, symbolism, allusion, alliteration, assonance, rhyme, enjambment, simile, and metaphor contribute to the development of the theme or conflict.

“Upon the Breeze She Spread Her Golden Hair” by Petrarch, p. 1104

“My Mistress’ Eyes Are Nothing Like the Sun” by Shakespeare, p. 1105

“When I Consider How My Light Is Spent” by Milton, p. 1107

“I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed” by Millay, p. 1109

“First Fight, Then Fiddle” by Brooks, p. 1111

“Facebook Sonnet” by Alexie, p. 1114

Remember that this essay is more than a summary of the poem; it is an argument about the work. Your thesis statement should reflect this argument to be proved.

Failure to include direct quotes as textual evidence may result in a failing grade.

Two scholarly articles are required for additional support. Cliff’s Notes, Shmoop, SparkNotes, Wikipedia, and the like are not considered literary criticism sources.

Works Cited page to be included.

Word requirement: 1,000-1,200

Suggestions for writing:

1. Read the poem closely several times.

2. Take notes.

3. Translate words into modern English and look up unknown words; rearrange lines into subject-verb-object format.

4. Look up poet’s biographical information.

Paragraph 1-Introduction: Inform the reader of and describe the situation or the conflict and present the message or theme of the poem.

Paragraphs 2, 3, 4- Body: Focus on a line-by-line analysis of the poem including elements mentioned above in the instructions.

Paragraph 5-Conclusion: Discuss how the poem ends…final thoughts?

Tips:

1. Refer to the speaking voice in the poem as “the speaker” or “the persona,” not the poet him/herself.

2. Use present tense verbs.

3. Rather than “states” or “says,” substitute verbs with one of the following: dramatizes, emphasizes, presents, suggests, illustrates, asserts, characterizes, argues, underlines, stresses, asks, offers.

4. When quoting poetry, use line rather than page or paragraph numbers and insert a forward slash (/) to signal the end of a line.

5. Set off 4 or more lines of poetry in a block indent format.

Bonus: Memorize your sonnet and recite on the day of the final!

Sent from my iPhone