Recording-2025-03-12T08:41:29.562Z

Introduction to Writing about Poetry

• Focus: Writing and analyzing poetry

• Objective: Help students capture literary history and improve close reading and critical thinking.

• Primary focus: Engaging deeply with primary texts – poems, short stories, novels, and graphic novels.

Literary Connections

• Explore connections between poetry and other works:

  • Chaucer's The Knight's Tale: Links to the film A Knight's Tale.

  • Milton's Paradise Lost: Investigates the character of Satan and his influence on literature and film.

  • Rossetti's Goblin Market: Analysis of fairy tale elements and contemporary reinterpretation.

  • Shakespeare's Sonnets: Study of classics and modern poets for literary history context.

Skills Development

• Emphasis on:

  • Close reading: Analyzing poems with a focus on detail and textual evidence.

  • Critical thinking: Developing personal interpretations and arguments based on primary text analysis.

  • Communication: Expressing thoughts confidently, grounded in textual evidence.

Current Assignment

• Assigned Reading: Chapter 3 "Writing about Poetry" from The Cambridge Guide to Reading Poetry by Andrew Hodgson.

• Focus in Tutorials: Analyze excerpts from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a medieval poem threaded with alliterative revival technique.

Types of Poetry Essays

• Two main types identified:

  • Close Reading Exercise: In-depth analysis of a single poem (assessment due in Week 5).

  • Argumentative Essay: Analysis of multiple poems exploring distinct themes or interpretations.

• Importance: Explore one's writing process and how engagement with poems informs essay content.

Poetry Explication Structure

• Requirements:

  • Annotated copy of the poem reflecting personal engagement.

  • Answers to specific analysis questions from Hodgson.

  • Short essay format: Five paragraphs following a clear structure.

Writing Voice and Tone

• Avoid overly elaborate language: Write with clarity in your own academic voice.

  • Audience: Informed and interested readers who haven't read the poem.

• Communicate details of the poem rather than relying on grandiose vocabulary.

Close Reading Techniques

• Focus on:

  • Detailed language analysis to derive meaning beyond summary.

  • The relationship between form and content in driving the poem's significance.

• Encourage personal confidence in interpretation without relying on secondary research.

Essay Planning

• Essay must include:

  • Description: Clearly describing what the poem is about (the narrative or themes).

  • Analysis: Examining literary techniques that enhance meaning.

  • Interpretation: Critical thinking about how form and content shape understanding.

• Objective: To create an insightful interpretation rather than a mere summary.

Methodological Questions

• Use significance questions to guide analysis.

• Consider how interpretations add depth to the poetry discussion.

  • Ask "So what?" regarding the significance of interpretations.

Constructing an Argument

• Develop a strong thesis statement summarizing the argument's essence.

• Ensure that arguments contain one primary claim rather than a list of points.

• Significance must be contextualized within the poem rather than generalizations about society.

Essay Structure and Components

• Essay components should include:

  • Introduction: Hook, thesis statement, and brief outline of the approach.

  • Body Paragraphs: Clear focus on one topic per paragraph with topic sentences.

    • Discuss quotations in a logical sequence that reflects the poem's structure.

  • Conclusion: Reflective closure that presents your argument's significance to the reader.

Revising and Proofreading

• Importance of proofreading: Set aside time to review work well before submission.

• Check the clarity of the argument and coherence in structure.

• Tips include reading aloud and ensuring strong topic sentences and connections to thesis.

Final Thoughts

• Maintain authenticity in writing: Avoid overreliance on complex language.

• Engage with Hodgson's list of proofreading tips for clarity and effectiveness.

• Encourage continuous improvement through iteration of drafts and revisions.