Poem Analysis Essay

What is analysis?
We use this method to respond to
complex matters.
We separate parts to understand the
whole.
Look for
1. ideas that connect
2. significant patterns
3. relationships between the parts of a
work

Essential Analysis Questions

What purpose does this particular
poetic/literary device serve?
How does the author communicate his
or her theme through this device?

Essay Prompt
How does the poets stylistic
choices (diction, figurative
language, literary devices)
contribute the overall theme of the
poem? Support your discussion
with evidence from the text.

Before You Write

Read the poem several times, write
down comments or annotate the
poem, and identify any unfamiliar
words.
Choose three literary devices you
are going to discuss in your essay.

Essay Tips
1. Your essay must have a central idea
(stated in your thesis) that governs its
development.
2. Your essay must be organized so that
every part contributes something to the
readers understanding of the central
idea.
3. Assume that your reader is NOT familiar
with the author or poem.
4. Tell your reader what the poem is about
(not what happens, but what the
happenings add up to).
5. Write in third person!!!

Essay Outline
1. Introduction (Background Info and Thesis)
2. Body Paragraph One (First Poetic Device)
3. Body Paragraph Two (Second Poetic
Device)
4. Body Paragraph Three (Third Poetic
Device)
5. Conclusion (Review of Main Points and So
What? Factor)

Introduction
Brief Summary Write three to four
sentences that provide background
information about your poem
(What is the poem about? When
was it written?). Include the title
and author of the poem.
Thesis statement three part
statement that presents the topic
of your essay

Thesis Statement
*The thesis statement tells your
reader what to expect. It is a restricted,
precisely worded declarative sentence
that states the purpose of your essay
(the point you are trying to make).
*The thesis statement is usually
located at the end of the introduction
paragraph.

Basic Thesis Format

(Insert authors name)
uses _______, _______, and
_______, (insert three different
poetic devices) in (insert name
of poem) to (illustrate,
convey, reveal, or another verb)
(insert the main idea or purpose
of the poem).

Example Thesis Statement

William Cullen Bryant
uses personification, colorful
imagery, and metaphors in
Thanatopsis to discuss how
nature relieves ones fears
about death.
Note: Use the authors full
name in the introduction, and then
use the authors last name for the
rest of the essay.

Body Paragraph
Use a topic sentence to begin your
paragraph.
Chose ONE poetic device and
discuss 1-2 examples from the
poem.
Explain how the device
signifies/expresses meaning.

Body Paragraph

Topic Sentence
Example
Supporting Quote
Commentary/Connection
Wrap Up Sentence

Conclusion
Restate your main points.
Explain why you think the
author felt the topic discussed
in the poem was important.
Explain how the topic/main
idea of the poem relates to
the outside world.

SAMPLE ESSAY
Read the sample essay on your own.
Identify the segments of the paper that
meet the criteria on the rubrics I have
given you.
Use the notes you have just taken to make
any suggestions for improvement.