Essay Assignment Interpretive Response to a Poem Due Dates: Dec. 5 (A Day ) and Dec. 6 (B Day)

Transcription

1 Essay Assignment Interpretive Response to a Poem Due Dates: Dec. 5 (A Day ) and Dec. 6 (B Day) Write an interpretation of the author s style for either Oh What is That Sound by W.H. Auden or Anyone lived in a pretty how town by E.E. Cummings. Your interpretation should help the audience understand the effects of important stylistic devices the author uses. These devices include: Connotation/Implied Meaning (rhyme, alliteration, personification, imagery, syntax, metaphors, hyperboles, assonance, similes, etc) Attitude (tone) Shift Title Theme Use the following resources to write an effective interpretive response: o TPCASTT graphic organizer o TPCASTT powerpoint o Essay framework o How to Write an Effective Essay powerpoint o MLA format Interpretive Response/Essay: Poem worksheet (done in class) Holt McDougal Literature Textbook pgs Remember to include five paragraphs (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion). Be sure to include the following in your essay: a strong introduction, thesis, text evidence, transition sentences, correct grammar, and a strong conclusion. Your essay must be typed and MLA formatted. The following rubric will be used to grade your essay: 10 pts Strong introduction 5 pts. Thesis statement 30 pts. Three (3) literary devices are analyzed 10 pts. Essay is organized with 3 well-developed body paragraphs; implied meaning of poem is evident 10 pts. Strong conclusion 5 pts. Voice (Precise Language) 10 pts. Conventions (grammar, punctuation, spelling) 10 pts. MLA Formatted & Typed 10 pts. TPCASTT, prewrite, and rough draft are attached

2 TPCASTT Poetry Analysis Form Directions: Read the poems provided and take notes on them as you read. Complete the following TPCASTT form about ONE of the following poems. Title: Take a look at the title before you even read the poem. What could it mean? Sometimes, the title is very straightforward that tells you a great deal about what to expect from the poem. Often, the title is somewhat cryptic in nature. That should tell you something about what to expect, too. Paraphrase: What is the literal meaning of the poem? It s difficult to get the figurative meaning of the poem if you can t figure out the literal meaning. Translate the poem into your own words, line by line. (Do not look for deeper meanings. Use the literal meaning of the author s words to explain it to yourself in words you would use). Connotation: Here s the meat of the analysis. What is the implied meaning, and how does the poet convey this meaning? (Hint: It does NOT simply mean negative or positive connotation.) What kind of literary things are going on in the poem? Think in terms of diction (word choice), syntax (sentence structure), imagery, symbolism, etc. Any literary device used in the poem fits under the connotation category. Attitude: What is the tone of the poem? If you have trouble determining tone, start by deciding whether the tone is positive or negative, and then become more precise from there.

3 Shift: There is a shift of some sort in nearly every poem written. It might be a shift in tone, in subject matter, in meaning, in rhyme scheme anything. Look for the shift, and then decide why the poet has a shift in that particular place. Title: Take another look at the title. What does it mean to you now that you ve analyzed the poem? Theme: In a sentence, what is the theme? In other words, what statement about life is the poet making? Be careful: theme is difficult to nail down, and all too often students put down the subject matter instead of the theme.

4 Oh What is That Sound by W.H. Auden O what is that sound which so thrills the ear Down in the valley drumming, drumming? Only the scarlet soldiers, dear, The soldiers coming. O what is that light I see flashing so clear Over the distance brightly, brightly? Only the sun on their weapons, dear, As they step lightly. O what are they doing with all that gear, What are they doing this morning, this morning? Only the usual manoeuvres, dear, Or perhaps a warning. O why have they left the road down there, Why are they suddenly wheeling, wheeling? Perhaps a change in the orders, dear. Why are you kneeling? O haven't they stopped for the doctor's care, Haven't they reined their horses, their horses? Why, they are none of them wounded, dear, None of these forces. O is it the parson they want, with white hair, Is it the parson, is it, is it? No, they are passing his gateway, dear, Without a visit. O it must be the farmer who lives so near. It must be the farmer so cunning, so cunning? They have passed the farmyard already, dear, And now they are running. O where are you going? Stay with me here! Were the vows you swore deceiving, deceiving? No, I promised to love you, dear, But I must be leaving. O it's broken the lock and splintered the door, O it's the gate where they're turning, turning; Their boots are heavy on the floor And their eyes are burning.

5 anyone lived in a pretty how town by E.E. Cummings anyone lived in a pretty how town (with up so floating many bells down) spring summer autumn winter he sang his didn't he danced his did Women and men(both little and small) cared for anyone not at all they sowed their isn't they reaped their same sun moon stars rain children guessed(but only a few and down they forgot as up they grew autumn winter spring summer) that noone loved him more by more when by now and tree by leaf she laughed his joy she cried his grief bird by snow and stir by still anyone's any was all to her someones married their everyones laughed their cryings and did their dance (sleep wake hope and then)they said their nevers they slept their dream stars rain sun moon (and only the snow can begin to explain how children are apt to forget to remember with up so floating many bells down) one day anyone died i guess (and noone stooped to kiss his face) busy folk buried them side by side little by little and was by was all by all and deep by deep and more by more they dream their sleep noone and anyone earth by april wish by spirit and if by yes. Women and men(both dong and ding) summer autumn winter spring reaped their sowing and went their came sun moon stars rain