Contrast

• Contrast is a literary device in which two or more ideas, characters, settings, or objects are compared and contrasted.

• Examples of contrast include comparing two characters from a story, comparing two different settings in a novel, and comparing two opposing ideas in a poem.

Ambiguous Language

• Ambiguous language is language that is open to multiple interpretations. It often contains phrases or words which have multiple meanings and can be used to create confusion.

• Examples of ambiguous language include phrases like "It could be worse," "I'm not sure," and "It depends."

Examples of Other Techniques

1. Alliteration: The phrase “purple prose” from William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily” is an example of alliteration.

2. Metaphor: In Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” the phrase “the sea of forgetfulness” is a metaphor for the loss of identity and history.

3. Simile: In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the phrase “as busy as a bee” is a simile used to describe Atticus Finch’s dedication to his job.

Significance

• When it comes to poetry, punctuation and structural patterns play a critical role in shaping the meaning and tone of the text.

• In poetry, punctuation marks are used to create pauses, emphasize certain words, and convey different emotions.

Punctuation

• When analyzing poetry, it is important to familiarize yourself with the basic punctuation marks used in written English and understand how they are used and what effect they have on the text.

• This understanding can greatly enhance your ability to analyze the meaning and tone of a poem.

Structural Patterns

• When it comes to poetry, understanding how the structure of a text can impact its meaning is key to a deeper appreciation of the genre.

• Familiarizing yourself with common structural patterns used in written English, such as chronological order, cause-and-effect, comparison-contrast, definition, and classification, is an important step in analyzing the structure of a poem and understanding its impact on the text.

Analyzing the Use of Punctuation and Structural Patterns in a Text

When analyzing the use of punctuation and structural patterns in poetry, it's important to pay close attention to how they impact the meaning and tone of the text. Here are a few examples of poems to demonstrate this:

• "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost In this poem, the structure of the stanzas and the use of punctuation contribute to the contemplative tone of the speaker as they reflect on their choices in life. The rhyme scheme and repetition of certain words and phrases reinforce the theme of decision-making and the speaker's sense of uncertainty.

• "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson In this poem, the punctuation and structural patterns help to create a sense of timelessness and create a dream-like atmosphere. The use of dashes in place of traditional punctuation marks contributes to the fragmented and contemplative tone of the speaker's journey with Death.

• "Sonnet 18" by William Shakespeare The structure of this sonnet follows the traditional sonnet form, with 14 lines divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme and repetition of certain words and phrases reinforce the speaker's admiration and love for their subject, while the use of punctuation contributes to the flow and rhythm of the poem.

Writing with Purposeful Punctuation and Structural Patterns

• In poetry, the use of punctuation and structural patterns can have a significant impact on the meaning and tone of a text. Poets use these elements in creative and intentional ways to achieve specific purposes in their writing.

• In poetry, the use of punctuation and structural patterns can have a significant impact on the meaning and tone of a text.

Juxtaposition

• Juxtaposition refers to the placement of two or more things close together for comparison purposes.

• It is often used in literature, art, and other creative fields to highlight contrasts between two objects or ideas by placing them side-by-side.

• This technique can be used to create emphasis, irony, humor, or deeper meaning in a work of art or writing.

• For example, a writer might use juxtaposition by placing images of light and darkness next to each other to emphasize the contrast between good and evil.

Paradox

• Paradox is a tool that poets use to convey a deeper truth or to create a sense of mystery and intrigue.

• It can be used to challenge conventional wisdom and to express ideas that cannot be expressed through straightforward or logical means.
  

Irony

• Irony is a literary device that involves the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite or different from its literal meaning.

• It can be used in poetry for various purposes, such as to create humor, satire, or social commentary.

Ambiguity

• Ambiguity refers to a situation or phrase that can be interpreted in more than one way.

• It happens when something has multiple meanings, and it's unclear which meaning was intended.

• Ambiguity can occur in both written and spoken forms of communication, leading to confusion or misunderstanding.

• Ambiguity is often used in poetry to create multiple interpretations and meanings within the same poem.

• Poets use ambiguity as a tool for adding layers of complexity to their work, making it more thought-provoking and engaging. One way poets utilize ambiguity is through the use of metaphor and simile.

• By comparing two seemingly unrelated things or ideas, poets can create an ambiguous image that allows readers to interpret its meaning in different ways.

Understanding conceits in poetry

• When it comes to poetry, a conceit is an extended metaphor that compares two seemingly dissimilar things in order to create an interesting and original connection between them.

• Conceits are often used in metaphysical poetry of the 17th century, but can also be found in other forms of literature.

• To understand a conceit in a poem, one must first identify the comparison being made.

• This might involve identifying key images or phrases that relate to each other in unexpected ways.

• For example, if a poet were comparing love to a stormy ocean, they might use imagery related to waves and water alongside language describing passion and tumultuous emotion.

Understanding symbols in poetry

• Symbols in poetry are objects, characters, or ideas that represent something beyond their literal meaning.

• They can be used to convey complex emotions and meanings with economy of language.

• Understanding symbols in poetry requires careful interpretation and analysis.

• To understand a poem's symbols you should first read it carefully multiple times to get a sense of its overall tone and themes.

• Then try to identify any recurring images or motifs that could be symbolic.

• Finally consider the larger historical context - for example many poets during World War I used dark imagery like skulls and crows to comment on the horrors they witnessed.

MLA and APA citation styles

• In MLA style, you would typically include the author's last name, the title of the poem in quotation marks, the title of the collection (if applicable), and the publication information, including the publisher and publication date.

Example:

In the poem "The Tyger," Blake explores the duality of creation and destruction through the image of the titular tiger.

(Blake, William. "The Tyger." Songs of Experience, 1794. Print.)

• In APA style, you would typically include the author's last name, the publication year in parentheses, the title of the poem in quotation marks, and the publication information, including the publisher and publication date.

Example:

In the poem "The Tyger" (Blake, 1794), the author explores the duality of creation and destruction through the image of the titular tiger.

(Blake, W. (1794). "The Tyger." Songs of Experience. Print.

Common Issues to Avoid

• When conducting literary analysis and citing sources, it is important to avoid the following common issues:

• Plagiarism: Make sure to give proper credit to the original source of the material you are using inyour analysis.

  • This includes not only direct quotes, but also paraphrased material and ideas that are not your own.

  • Plagiarism not only goes against academic integrity, but it can also have serious consequences.

• Misattribution: Ensure that you are accurately attributing quotes and ideas to the correct source.

  • Double-check the author and publication information before including it in your analysis.

• Incorrect citation format: Make sure to follow the appropriate citation format, such as MLA or APA, consistently throughout your analysis.

  • Incorrect citation format can result in a lower grade or, in more serious cases, accusations of plagiarism.

• Failure to quote: It is not enough to simply list the source of an idea or quote in a bibliography.

  • You must also include the specific page number or location of the material in the text of your analysis.

• Not including enough information: Make sure to include enough information in your citations so that the reader can locate the original source.

  • This typically includes the author, title, publication date, and publishing information.