Out of Class Essay

Out of Class Essay
Back to Poetry Assignments
Due dates: see syllabus.

Note: This assignment and the independent essay are nearly identical. the only difference is that for the independent essay, you write about a poet of your choice.

Assignment

A thesis-based inquiry essay, analyzing the poetry of an author we read in class.

Goal

This paper should show what you are learning in this class and how you can apply or extend these skills on your own. You should examine a guiding question of this class in a specific, focused paper, analyzing a few poems by one or two poets.

Other Purposes

To learn more about the poem(s) by taking a close look through the lens of your interpretation.

To develop analytical skills, useful in future literature courses, in other disciplines, and in life.

To develop confidence in writing essays based on your own inquiries and theses, so your college professors won’t have to teach you. (It’s not their job, you should know by then, and it’s really embarrassing when they ask, "Didn’t you learn this in high school?" It really happens, even in the Ivy League.)

To impress me with groundbreaking ideas, not just the well-turned phrase.

To set a starting point for your writing, from which your future work will progress.

Means of achieving this goal:

Write an analytical essay. You should approach your paper as an inquiry: what are you trying to learn? How will you find that out? What should you read to explore your question? What do you learn? How can you show that? Your paper must explore a genuine question you have and explain the answer(s) you discover. As you explain your analysis, use evidence from the poem to support your thoughts.

For instance, my question might be, “What does Thomas Hardy think about nature and its connection to God?” To answer this question, I would review the poems we read of Hardy’s (and possibly others), choosing one, two, or three at most that help answer this question. Then, I would shape an essay around an analysis of these poems and the way they help answer my question. Finally, I would forge a clear introduction and thesis to show exactly what I had discovered and tailor each paragraph to illuminate my findings, wrapping up the whole thing with a conclusion that shows the progression of my inquiry.

This essay may be different from what you’re used to writing, if you usually start with your thesis in mind and then use your analysis to prove it. I’d like you to do the analysis first, whether in your reading or writing, and then define your thesis as one answer to your question. What I’m getting at is not the way you write the actual paper, but the way you pursue the inquiry.
Clearly, my potential question is deeper than the typical paper. That is intentional. You should start with a question that interests you and has not been resolved in class and go from there. You may want to use a past quiz, discussion question, or class issue to get started. Map out a small adventure for yourself.
Do not try to discuss everything! Narrower is better.

If you do not know how to develop an inquiry, see me soon to discuss a possible topic. Additional thesis help.

This is not a research paper. All ideas must be your own, and you may not use any sources outside of the text and any class handouts.

Remember, late essays will lose a grade per day of lateness. Late essays turned in after class will lose five points. Late essays may not be revised.

Questions? Please ask or come see me.