The Raven

· “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe (Links to an external site.)

Background

Now that we have practiced poetic analysis together, it is your turn to demonstrate this skill in the form of an essay. In Writing Essays About Literature, Acheson explains her process of researching within the text, arranging evidence, and inventing the argument in order to write an essay that interprets the meaning of a poem. You will now get the chance to do the same.

The Assignment

For this essay, you will conduct an in-depth analysis of one poem from our readings. The poem you choose to analyze is up to you, as is your argument. In this essay, you will need to include:

· a thesis statement clarifying the larger idea, theme, or meaning of the poem

· specific, quoted details from the poem showcasing the poetic devices that the author uses to convey meaning (rhyme, meter, sound, diction, imagery, figurative language, etc.)

· your original analysis of how these details and devices convey the meaning of the poem

Source Requirements

The poem is the only required source for this essay.

When quoting multiple lines of a poem, show the line break with a forward slash: “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, / The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea” (Gray 1-2).

Assignment Requirements

· The essay should be at least 4 full double-spaced pages with 1” side margins, 1” header and footer margins, Times New Roman, 12 pt font.

· Your introduction should offer a thesis that gives your readers a main claim or guiding idea which will be developed throughout.

· You are required to quote directly from the poem you are analyzing. All quotations should be cited in MLA format, with the author’s last name and line number(s) in parentheses. When quoting multiple lines of a poem, show the line break with a forward slash: “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, / The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea” (Gray 1-2).

· Proofread for mistakes and edit for clarity. Consider paragraph organization and appropriate transitions to lead your reader through your discussion.