poetry prompt paragraph review

Emily Dickinson Poetry Analysis

Sample Paragraphs, Review: Paragraph One

Some Quick Notes:

Just as another reminder, here is the prompt:

Select an image in a work of poetry that you find especially memorable, and explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and analyze the reasons for its effectiveness.

Topic Sentences …

• should be claims, not facts, and state specifically what the paragraph will argue.

• In the space provided on your worksheet explain the difference between the two.

Topic Sentences…

• should include these three elements:1. author’s name2. title of the work (“Success is counted sweetest”)3. the focus

• In the space provided on your worksheet, explain what the focus of the first paragraph should answer, as expressed by the prompt.

The Context…

• of the poem should:

1. introduce the poem’s main message

2. give background information describing what is going on in the poem

3. describe the image of the poem you will use to answer the focus

The Quote…• you choose to use should always be integrated; this

means, no quote bombs!

• How do we do this? 1. We choose specific words or phrases. 2. We quote only what is necessary; then, we paraphrase the rest. 3. We try to make if flow into our own statements (or voice).

• This last part is difficult and takes practice; how we can check to see if our integration is the best it can be?

Tie-in…

• is the analysis which must seek to answer the prompt . It answers the question, “how do we know that’s true?”

• In your topic statement, you chose an image and labeled it as having a specific purpose (answers “What are you going to prove?”); in your Tie-in, you now need to show it (answers “How are you going to prove it?”) by:

1. Explaining the purpose of the chosen image in the poem

[In the space provided on the worksheet, indicate your chosen image, and what it’s purpose is in the poem (to provide contrast to the message or another image, to act as a symbol for something else, to illustrate a certain feeling or tone, etc)]

2. Explaining how this contributes and connects to the prompt - the “meaning of the work as a whole”3. Concluding by Tying it all back to the topic sentence.

Self Grade! Paragraph 1…

• Topic sentences are claims, not facts, and state specifically what the paragraph will argue

• Checklist:Includes author’s nameIncludes title of workIncludes focus (which is connected to the prompt)


• Concrete details are well-chosen, well-integrated and sufficient- (at least 1/paragraph)

• Checklist:Explains the details of the poem before quoteQuoted text is well-integrated (no quote bombs)Context and summary is sufficiently detailed/explained


• Analysis is thorough and deeply analytical, does not paraphrase quote

• Checklist:Explains the meaning/connection of the quoted textLongest, most detailed part of paragraphConnects to focus, addresses the question of the promptConcluding statement refers back to the Topic sentence


• Topic sentences are claims, not facts, and state specifically what the paragraph will argue

• Checklist:Includes author’s nameIncludes focus (which is connected to the prompt)


• Concrete details are well-chosen, well-integrated and sufficient- (at least 1/paragraph)

• Checklist:Explains the details of the poem before quote Quoted text is well-integrated (no quote bombs)Context and summary is sufficiently detailed/explained


• Analysis is thorough and deeply analytical, does not paraphrase quote

• Checklist:Explains the meaning/connection of the quoted textLongest, most detailed part of paragraphConnects to focus, addresses the question of the promptConcluding statement refers back to the Topic sentenceWraps up all content paragraphs with a universal idea

Self Grade! Overall Style…

• Style and Mechanics—varied syntax, vocabulary, transitions, vivid verbs, fluid prose; spelling, grammar, usage are correct.

• Checklist:avoids phrases – “in my opinion,” “the reader,” “this quote shows,” etc.avoids personal pronouns (you, we, our, us, etc)professional in tone (no slang, clichés, contractions)analysis is written in the present tense (consistently)Spelling, grammar, etc. are correct

Self Grade!

• In the comment box at the bottom of the rubric:

1. Give yourself a compliment – what did you do particularly well?

2. Explain what you can do better in your rewrite.

poetry prompt paragraph review

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