eng 102
Poetry Research Paper
P. Jongbloed
Write an analysis research paper based on one of the topics below:
1. T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”
This paper is approximately 750 to 1000 words, not including the works cited page.
Be sure to analyze the appropriate literary elements such as symbolism, imagery, diction, alliteration, and any other applicable literary terms that work to create the theme. Be sure to tie the analysis to the bigger theme in the thesis and the conclusion.
2. Sherman Alexie’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
This paper is approximately 750 to 1000 words, not including the works cited page.
Analyze the literary elements Alexie uses in his poem. This paper will also tie to the history of the American Indian culture, the massacre at Sand Creek, and students are free to do some research on the film the poem is based on. Tie all the elements to the bigger theme Alexie creates.
3. Marge Piercy’s “Barbie Doll.”
This paper is approximately 750 to 1000 words, not including the works cited page.
Analyze the literary elements Piercy uses, and tie them to the image of Barbie and the perfection expected of women. Be sure to look for feminist criticism that discusses the issue of Barbie’s influence on society and women in particular. Be sure to tie all the elements to the bigger theme in the conclusion.
This assignment is a RESEARCH paper, so students must use no less than two OTHER sources, not including the poem itself, and no more than four. The Artemis search engine offers dozens of articles that offer analytical points on Eliot’s poem.
Students may NOT use sources found in a google search unless it is an edu website. There is NO use of enotes, Wikipedia, Shmoop, or any other online source that is not academic in nature. The bible, dictionary, or encyclopedia are not viable analytical sources and definitions for literary terms are not viable in a literary analysis.
Here are a few things to remember when writing about poetry:
1. Write the paper in MLA format. See examples in the text and consult the Purdue Owl for specifics.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_overview_and_workshop.html
2. Be sure to either lead into the source or cite it in the parenthetical citation.
3. Use line number for poetry in parenthetical citations. Please consult the Purdue Owl and/or the textbook.
4. When quoting from a poem shorter than three lines, use a backslash / to indicate line breaks. Quotes longer than three lines should be in the exact format of the poem.
5. Use the outside source information to support the literary analysis. Use at least ONE direct quote from each source to support points. NO MORE THAN A ¼ TO A 1/3 OF THE PAPER CAN BE OUTSIDE SOURCE INFORMATION. The majority of the analysis has to be the student’s ideas with outside source information supporting that analysis.
6. Use direct quotes from the poem to support points.
7. Be sure to have a works cited page with all the source information appropriately cited in alphabetical order. Do not forget to cite the poem from the textbook.
8. Consult the MLA checklist provided for the short story assignment.
9. Please let me know if there are any questions!