Poetry Project: Outline

I. Introduction and Biography (1.5-2 pages)
A. Hook and Thesis
1. Interesting fact, quote, detail, etc.
2. Thesis Statement: What are the major themes of the poet’s work? How are those themes reflected in their life? What impact has the author had on literature and the world and how do the themes of their work reflect this impact?
B. Biography
1. Early life
a) Details, events, etc.
b) How events from early life impacted the themes this person would write about
2. Later life
a) Details, events, etc.
b) How events from life impact the themes the person would write about
3. Historical context
a) What was going on in society during the author’s life? How was the author impacted by this context? Themes and writing impacted?
II. Literary Analysis (2.5-3 pages)
A. Overall themes of the writer’s work, what poems reflect these themes (kind of reinforce the overall thesis from section one)
B. Poem 1
1. Analyze 2-3 literary devices used in this poem and how those devices support the themes of the writer’s work
C. Poem 2
1. Analyze 2-3 literary devices used in this poem and how those devices support the themes of the writer’s work
D. Poem 3
1. Analyze 2-3 literary devices used in this poem and how those devices support the themes of the writer’s work
E. ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT–Instead of organizing by poem, you could organize by either literary devices or themes (paragraph/device or paragraph/theme) then support with evidence from multiple poems within that paragraph
III. Conclusion (about 1 page)
A. What were the most important things you learned about the writer and their work?
B. How is this writer’s work still relevant in today’s society? How are the themes of their work still relevant today or has their relevancy changed?
C. This section can be personal, in 1st person, etc.
IV. Works Cited Page
A. Include the article(s) you used for the biography
B. Include citations for each of your three poems
C. Include citations for any other source you used to help you write the essay