Discussing how and when literary scholars pull evidence

Assignment Help Other Subject
Reference no: EM131222352

I love you when you're standing on the lawn
Peering at something in a tree: "It's gone
It was so small. It might come back" (all this
Voiced in a whisper softer than a kiss).
I love you when you call me to admire
A jet's pink trail above the sunset fire.
I love you when you're humming as you pack
A suitcase or the farcical car sack
With round-trip zipper. And I love you most
290 When with a pensive nod you greet her ghost
And hold her first toy on your palm, or look
At a postcard from her, found in a book.

Formal Analysis

This will be a 3-4-page paper in which you perform a poetic analysis of part of a section of the poem "Pale Fire." (Please note that 2.5 pages is not 3 pages.) Choose a section of the poem that is long enough (about 10 lines of poetry) that you have something to say about it, but not so long (more than 20 lines) that you can't analyze everything in it. Choose a section in which you feel that there is a significant shift of some kind, so that you can analyze the relationship between form and meaning across that shift.

Introduction

In the introduction of your paper, you should begin with descriptive claims specific to the section of the poem that you have chosen. You do not need to introduce the poem to the reader as if she has never read it, as you can assume that all your readers (me and your classmates) have already done so. You also do not need to start with generic statements like "Throughout history..." or "Everyone experiences...." I recommend getting started with something like, "In lines 49-60 of '[Poem],' [poet] claims that..." Go on to describe some of the analytical discoveries you made about the poetic meter and form in this section. Then, in your thesis statement, which I expect to see at the end of the first paragraph, you should attempt to make a strong interpretive claim about poetic style in the section you have chosen, and a suggestion about what this would contribute about your reader's understanding of the poem. Keep in mind that the thesis is often the first line of a paper to be drafted, and the last to be revised. Performing a good formal analysis will force your thesis to change, so do not expect to turn in your first draft. You will be making an argument, not writing a proof.

Body

In the body of your paper, you should use evidence from the text to support the claims of your thesis. Each paragraph should work with a single quotation from the section you've chosen, usually one line at a time. After each quotation, but before the period, there should be a parenthetical citation listing the line number (l. 49). A body paragraph should introduce the quotation in its context, describe its content, provide the quotation, explicate it from a formal perspective, and show how it relates to your thesis. Each paragraph should carefully explicate some relationship between the formal poetic properties of a quoted line to the meaning. Be sure to employ the terminology of poetic analysis that we have learned in class. Feel free to mark the meter of the quoted lines using a pen after printing your paper. This will enable me to follow your argument when you refer to a particular metrical foot.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, you should not feel the need to review everything you've already said. Rather, finish your paper by showing how this kind of analysis contributes to a fuller (or usefully nuanced) understanding of the text as a whole.

Keep in mind

It will never be your job in this course to evaluate a text. I am not grading you on your opinions about the text or your appraisal of it, though of course your own interests and skills will guide your choice of material and attention to it. You also should avoid, in this paper especially, the temptation to draw connections between the text and "truth" or "the world." Over the course of the semester, we will be discussing how and when literary scholars pull evidence from sources outside the text to guide their explication, but for this particular assignment, you should focus narrowly on the formal properties of the text itself as they relate to meaning. If you have other questions about my expectations for college writing, please see the lower sections of this page, and, of course, feel free to ask.

Reference no: EM131222352

Questions Cloud

What is the present value : What is the present value of $12500 to be received 8 years from today? Assume a discount rate of 4.5% compounded annually and round to the nearest $10.
Calculate the 3c companys revenue for the year : Calculate the 3C Company's revenue for the year. - Calculate the company's net income for the year. - Explain why the cash in the bank is so much higher than the net income.
Analyze intersection of social factors affect vulnerability : Analyze the intersection of social, political, and economic factors affecting vulnerability (must address all three factors).
Need to deposit today to reach goal : You want to have $80000 for your daughter's education 18 years from now. If you can earn 3 percent, compounded quarterly, on your savings, how much do you need to deposit today to reach your goal?
Discussing how and when literary scholars pull evidence : Choose a section of the poem that is long enough (about 10 lines of poetry) that you have something to say about it, but not so long (more than 20 lines) that you can't analyze everything in it. Choose a section in which you feel that there is a s..
Prepare a recap of the model program for your community : Prepare a recap of the model program for your community that you originally shared in the written assignment. As stated in the directions, changes to the potential program can be made as you research and develop the focus of the program.
Procedure for conversion of private company : Explain the procedure for conversion of private company in to public company and also explain provision of new companies act in respect of CSR.
Upper and lower bounds for projections : What are the upper and lower bounds for these projections? What is the bas NPV? What are the best and worse case scenarios?
Discuss the opposing views presented : The reading on the five sexes and the intersex youtube videos present opposing views on a biological condition. Discuss the opposing views presented and then consider where you stand on the issue. Why?

Reviews

Write a Review

 

Other Subject Questions & Answers

  Discuss the purposes or goals of policy advocacy

Discuss the purposes or goals of policy advocacy. What is it intended to achieve and for whom? Discuss a social policy (use equal opportunity) that has impacted or has the potential to impact you personally or professionally (such as the organizat..

  Has there been a HIPAA violation

Has there been a HIPAA violation? Does it matter that the patient signed a HIPAA disclosure form? What should the doctor’s office done differently if anything? Can the patient bring a civil claim against the doctor?

  A customer calls in and has a complaint about the quality

on-time technology products recognizes that they should do more to connect with customers after a sale.assume you work

  Definition of technology

Come up with your own definition of technology that takes into account where you think it is headed. What do you think is the most important feature to highlight in a definition of technology? Why?

  Which she has not showered for days on end

Kelly has been feeling very sad for a month. Her sadness is so pronounced which she has not showered for days on end, sometimes has forgotten to eat, and has not been interested in doing anything. Kelly probably has which of following mood disorde..

  Describes the main aspects of the regulatory environment

Write a paper that describes the main aspects of the regulatory environment which will protect the public from fraud within corporations, Pay particular attention to SOX requirements.

  Component of a software package

The bringing together of all the programs that comprise a system for testing describes.

  Roles of employers and health plans in the us

Purchasers of Health Care: Roles of Employers and Health Plans in the U.S. Health Care System, You are the administrator of a large, multispecialty medical group (140 physicians). Approximately 70 percent of your patients are insured by Blue Cross..

  Examine the culture of the selected organization

Examine the culture of the selected organization and explain how you determined that the selected organization showed the signs of the culture that you have identified.

  Explaining the labour act of turkey

Summarize one law in Turkey and explain the difference or similarities to that of the United States law.

  Challenges of long-term care and mental health services

What are some of the opportunites and challenges of long-term care and mental health services for health care administrators now and beyond?

  Create a moving average and a moving range chart

RR Corporation measures the amount of contaminants present in parts per million. At their facility, on a particular production line, they might produce biscuits on one day and crackers the next.

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd