Poetry Close Reading Essay

Throughout this unit we have analyzed various poetry and poets throughout American history. Using your knowledge of how to closely analyze a poem, your goal is to construct an argument for what the poet is trying to express, using citations to support your argument. You may choose any poem that we have read as part of class or you may choose another poem by an American author. However, if you choose a poem from outside the unit, the poem must be preapproved. Think of yourself as an expert on the poem that you choose and you must convince the reader that you have the best interpretation of the poem. The essay that you write should show your understanding of poetry analysis and your mastery of evidence and citations to support your argument. Your work will be judged on your ability to frame your argument and the effectiveness of your delivery.

Your essay must follow these guidelines: __ A copy of chosen poem marked up as done for previous class assignments __ Paper is between 500 and 750 words (2-3 pages) __ Paper follows five-paragraph essay format __ Works Cited at the end of paper __ Minimum four in-text citations __ Paper is typed, Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double spaced, with 1 inch margins __ Rough draft and peer review included

Your paper will not be accepted if missing any of these items. You will have the opportunity to resubmit by the next school day following the due date if any items are missing.

Rubric 1 Argument is identifiable, but could be more clearly stated and/or focused at the outset. The paper proves some key points about a chapter/passage, but could more effectively argue all facets of the argument through its close reading. Introduction and conclusion could be more informative and/or engaging. Provides evidence for some aspects of the argument, but some points could use additional support. While some quotations and examples are introduced, others seem to stand alone. Engages some of the material, but at times features more observation than analysis or relies too heavily on quotations and examples without fully explaining the relevance to the argument. Organization of the paper and individual paragraphs can be followed, although some parts would 2 3 4 Has a clear, Contains a clear argumentative thesis argumentative thesis on a single poem that takes a fresh, and is developed original perspective throughout the on a single piece of paper. The writing. Argument introduction and goes beyond class conclusion are discussion and is audience appropriate sustained throughout and interesting; the paper. Has an Demonstrates close engaging introduction reading and and thoughtpersuasive writing. provoking conclusion. Demonstrates mastery of close reading and persuasive writing. Contains adequate Draws effectively on support for most textual evidence to aspects of the support all point of argument. Most the argument. quotations and Quotations and examples are examples are introduced into the properly introduced paper. and integrated into the paper. Provides thoughtful analysis of most of the evidence presented. Explains how the evidence supports the overall argument Provides sophisticated and thoughtful analysis of all the evidence presented. Makes logical connections and explains how the evidence supports the argument Organization of the paper and individual paragraphs support the argument in a clear and logical

Argument

Evidence

Analysis

Organization

Organization of the paper and individual paragraphs support the argument. Most of the topic

benefit from being rearranged. Topic sentences could be more clear and transitions could do more to link the paragraphs together. Format and Mechanics Meets several of the basic formatting requirements, but contains minor formatting issues. Quotations are properly formatted and cited. Conveys key ideas, but contains sentencelevel errors that would benefit from further proofreading.

sentences are clear and most transitions establish logical links between paragraphs. Most paragraphs are wellorganized. Demonstrates understanding of the correct formatting and requirements. Quotations are properly formatted and cited. Well written with few sentence level issues.

manner. Smooth transitions between paragraphs establish logical connections. The paragraphs themselves are wellorganized with strong topic sentences. Demonstrates mastery with the correct formatting and requirements. Written in an elegant and sophisticated styles with very few, if any, sentence level issues.

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