English 10: Intro to Literature, Paper 2
From UCSB English Department Knowledge Base
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Due: September 5, 2006
In this paper, you will be comparing and contrasting two of the poems from the “poems for further reading” chapter to explain/argue the relationship of the poems to each other and to the broader world. What this means is that you will be looking carefully at the ways in which the two represent some specific theme or subject. How do these representations differ? How are they similar? What can the intersections between these poems tell us about their subject matter? What is the overall effect of reading the two poems together?
You might consider one or more of the following questions:
- Do the poems have particular moral or social messages? How do these relate to each other?
- What is the apparent purpose of each poem; in other words, how is it designed to affect the reader? How do the purposes of the poems relate to their differences?
- Do the poems privilege their subject/theme or demean it?
- How does the structure of each poem shape our understanding of its subject or theme; what parts are emphasized or glossed over?
Your paper should be 3 - 4 pages in Times Roman 12 pt font (not counting the literal translations of the poems), with 1-inch margins. It should follow MLA format guidelines, and should (read must) contain the following:
- A clearly articulated argumentative thesis that stakes a claim about the operation of a specific subject or theme in the poems. (This means that your paper should not just tell us what you see happening in the poems, but also how the poems inform each other. In other words, your paper should deal with both poems in relation to each other, not just independently. Your paper should also address what the broader significance of this is; in other words, “so what”.)
- Specific textual evidence and support for your claims (this means quoting the relevant lines from both poems and explaining how they relate to and develop your thesis. Your evidence should not be restricted to diction, but should include and analysis of metaphor, rhythm, meter, symbol, form, or whatever aspects of the poems help to shape their meaning with regards to your chosen subject or theme).
- A conclusion that briefly summarizes your argument AND relates your argument back to its broader context (if we now understand your argument, what does this do to our understanding of the works, their possible social context, etc.)
- Include as an addendum line-by-line, literal translation of the poems (the literal analysis should not be a part of the essay itself except insofar as explanation of the literal level furthers your argument).
Remember that you need to work closely with the text. While this assignment is not specifically a close reading, you should apply the principles of close reading to your work with the poems. You need to quote relevant parts of the poems AND also explain how these sections develop your meaning. Avoid making claims that you cannot and/or do not support from the text. Also, please explain the significance of all the quotes that you do use, and trim the quotes accordingly.
