Humanities Homework Help

For this assignment, you will:

 Write a 750 – 1,000 word (750 words minimum) analysis on the poem
Note: You analysis must be at least 750 words, in order to earn points for this
assignment. Fewer than 750 words will equal a zero (0) for this assignment.
 You must include at least 1 direct quote from the poem to support your discussion.

 No Works Cited is needed for this assignment, but you must properly cite any lines you
use from the poem. Review proper MLA formatting for citing lines from poetry!

 Do not do “outside” research! This is not a research paper. You will use your
knowledge of the elements below, which you have learned about in class, to analyze the
poem that you have chosen.
1. Write a well-developed 750-to-1,000 word (750 word minimum) analysis that discusses
all of the items below for the poem that you chose:

 Persona
o Who (or what) is the “speaker” in the poem? How do you know?

 Theme
o For the lyric poem: What is the subject of the poem? What are the speaker’s feelings
about the poem’s subject – how do you know (which specific details from the poem
suggest this)? What specific details does the speaker use to make the speaker’s
emotions or opinions come across – seem “real”?o For the narrative poem: What is the “story” that the speaker is trying to get across?
Is the author’s method of narrative poetry effect for this? Why or why not?

 Tone- What is the tone of each poem? Is there any irony in the poem (irony, verbal irony,
sarcasm, dramatic irony, cosmic irony) – and, if so, what is it?

 Diction & Structure
o What type of diction is used?
o Is allusion used? If so, to what does allusion refer?
o Comment on the poem’s structure –does it add to the poem’s overall effect and/or
support the poem’s theme? Why or why not?
 Denotation/Connotation

o Do examples of denotation exist in the poem? If so, what are they?
o Do examples of connotation exist in the poem? If so, what are they?
(NOTE: every poem uses either denotative or connotative language – or both!)
 Your thoughts…
o Reflect on your own reaction to this poem – what impact does this poem have on
you…?