ENG 102          DR. AXELROD         First Essay  

I can tell you with certainty that those who send me a sample thesis statement before writing their poetry paper do better than others who never check in with me. Why not take advantage of my offer? Otherwise, if you miss the point when you write your paper, how can I ignore faulty content when I grade? 

THE ASSIGNMENT:

SELECT ONE OF DR. AXELROD'S POEMS FROM THE BOOK, How to Apologize, TO COMPARE WITH ANY OTHER POEM BY A DIFFERENT AUTHOR THAN DR. AXELROD FROM YOUR REQUIRED READING LIST OF POETRY. 

Note: you may select any other poet (not on the required list) but you must obtain permission from Dr. Axelrod by sending a copy of the poem you wish to use for Dr. Axelrod's approval. Please also include the copy of the poem at the bottom of your finished paper.

CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE ESSAY THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION AND FOLLOWS THE FORM.

Click here for a Style Sheet which may also help you better structure and style your essay: Style Sheet.

CLICK HERE FOR:  IMPORTANT HINTS BEFORE WRITING YOUR PAPER

Instructor's note: One of the two poems must be an Axelrod poem. If you select a second poem, it must be by a poet other than Dr. Axelrod.  If, in turn, that poem is from outside of the required reading list, you must first send me a copy of the entire poem to get my approval to use it in your paper, and then paste it at the end of the paper you have written so I can refer to it when I grade your paper. 

ALSO NOTE: Either attach the paper as a Microsoft Word (.doc) document or paste it with proper margins into your email to me. I can't download WordPerfect (.wpd) or other odd formats. Sorry...

ANALYZE THE POEMS TO SHOW THEY HAVE SIMILAR THEMES. Students most often lose credit by comparing simply similar subject matter. Be sure you are analyzing themes not just summarizing what the poems are about!

Here's how!  "Poem A" and "Poem B" have similar themes because both teach us [fill in a theme].

Further advice on writing literature papers and critical analysis can be found in numerous places on-line but remember, yours is a thematic approach. Please do not get all involved in discussing style or poetic forms, figures of speech and terminology. 

Caution: If you simply compare what the two poems are "about" you are only noting plot similarities, not thematic similarities. Saying two poems are "about" the same thing is NOT what you are asked to do!

NO OUTSIDE CRITICAL SOURCES OF INTERPRETATION ARE ALLOWED IN YOUR PAPER! THIS RULE APPLIES TO ALL THREE OF YOUR PAPERS. 

THE USE OF OUTSIDE SOURCES MAY RESULT IN YOUR FAILING THE PAPER. PLAGIARISM MAY RESULT IN YOUR FAILING THE COURSE! INTENTIONAL CHEATING MAY GET YOU EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL.

Remember, whatever you find and can download, I also can find and determine came from somewhere. As it says above, the penalty for placing work improperly into your paper (plagiarism) is an "F" for paper and even for the course!

NOTE: Papers will be graded on how well you can structure and support your thematic analysis.  The heart of a literature paper is in the quotes you choose to prove your point and your ability to discuss them.  You will not lose credit for a "wrong interpretation," but you will not do well if you only deal with plot!  Your paper should be a minimum of 1,000 words (three full typed pages).  Word count is not as important, however, as properly explaining the poems!

RECOMMENDED OUTLINE:  

I.  A. Thesis Statement: "Poem A" and "Poem B" [provide two titles of poems to be compared] are similar because both teach us to [fill a lesson/theme/lifestyle]. 

After you give a strong opening thesis statement, continue with your introductory paragraph. Try to follow the steps of the outline. Each letter in the outline can be one or better, more sentences long to organize your essay:

I.   B. Brief discussion of what "Poem A" is about.

      C. Brief discussion of what "Poem B" is about

      D. Longer discussion of what the theme is.

      E. Transition.  

II.   A. If we look at [some specific moment, event, action in "Poem A"] we can see

[restate the lesson/theme].

1st    B. Set the scene for,  introduce a quote from  [ the poem].

E       C. Quote briefly from the poem

X.      D. Paraphrase [put quote in your own words].

         E., F., G… Relate the quote to your thesis [discuss theme]. TALK A LOT!

III.      A. If we look at [some specific moment, event, action in "Poem B"] we can see [the theme].

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPHS IV. & V.  [Find another place in both poems and follow the outline above.] (You may, optionally, include a third set of examples of the same, similarity of themes.)

VI.   A. We have looked at [summarize, categorize your examples] to see [the theme].        

C       B. Summarize first example.

O       C. Summarize second example [minimum of two examples for essay].

N       D. Summarize third example.

C       E. Conclusion [the theme of the poem is…].          

L.

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