Poetry Analysis

Essay
Five Paragraph Essay Format

Biondo Sophomore Lit & Comp

title
topic
tone
theme
background
rhyme scheme mood

Remember the rule of 3 for a 5 Paragraph Essay:

Choose THREE elements to focus on in your essay!
These will become your 3 body paragraphs

shifts
p.o.v.
figurative language

Once you have your 3 main topics, you

of your
essay
math formula or steps
can organizeThink
them
into
a as5 aparagraph
that need to be taken to get to the finish line.
essay!
These steps can be written in any order as long

as the essay flows when it is finished. It should

sound as though it follows an order rather than
just jumbled thoughts.
All five paragraph essays have the following:

Every 5 Paragraph Essay

Contains
the
following:
An introduction
1

Three body paragraphs

A conclusion
Total paragraphs

+3
_ 1_
5

The introduction should be the place to start presenting your topic.

Include the Title (in QUOTES), author, and any other personal or historical
background information that is pertinent.

Typically, the last sentence is the thesis statement.

A thesis statement is one sentence that clearly tells the reader what your
paper will be about, and it often has a point to prove.

Topic + three main points + argument (the point to prove)

EXAMPLE THESIS: The imagery, shift in setting, and speakers tone all help
the reader of When I Heard the Learnd Astronomer understand the
speakers love of nature.

The introduction
The sky is the limit -

EXAMPLE THESIS: The imagery, shift in setting, and

speakers tone all help the reader of When I Heard the
Learnd Astronomer understand the speakers love of
nature.
TOPIC: When I Heard the Learnd Astronomer
THREE MAIN POINTS: imagery, shift in setting, speakers
tone
ARGUMENT: the speaker loves nature

1st Body Paragraph:

Explain why your first topic (imagery) is important in
the poem.
Give MORE THAN ONE specific example from the
poem (at least one quote).
Explain how your topic (imagery) helps connect to
your argument (the speakers love of nature).
Continue this pattern for the second and third body
paragraphs.

Body paragraphs

The conclusion is the place to sum up your main points and re-state your
thesis statement in different words.
New information does not belong in the conclusion.

Conclusion

Now What?
The following should be done by
then end of class today:
Finish your Analyzing a Poem
Worksheet from yesterday keep
the notes.

ANNOTATE the poem in your

Close Reader and be prepared to
turn it in with your essay.

On your outline paper, do the

following:
Identify your topic (which
poem did you pick?)
1.

List off your three main points

(see the How to Analyze a
Poem chart if youre still
stuck)
2.

Give an opinion about what

you think the poet/speaker is
trying to help us understand
(like enjoying nature, etc).

Tomorrow: We will write rough

drafts in class.

4.

Complete your outline

worksheet.

3.

Use steps 1-3 above to write

your THESIS on the thesis line.