Laura T. Smith: Teaching

Paper One: Single Poem Explication (15%)

An explication explains/unfolds the meaning of a poem, particularly how that meaning is produced through language, including figurative language (metaphors, imagery, etc.), poetic form, allusions to literature, history, or culture, and other features.

Of course, there are many, many technical features and possible meanings in any given poem—many more than can be addressed in a single explication—so every explication, in fact, makes choices about what it finds to be most significant or central in the poem. Thus, your explication will, in fact, make an argument about the importance of certain key features, or make a claim for a particular way of reading the poem. In other words, your explication must have a thesis.

Your explication should be 500-650 words (that’s 2-3 pages). Revision is required unless you get an A upon your first attempt.

For this paper—as for all papers in this course—grading is based on these factors:
• The strength of your thesis
• Effective organization and overall structure, including introduction, conclusion, and metanarrative features (such as transitions)
• Strength and quality of your claims
• Use of textual evidence, including smooth integration of quotations
• Quality and depth of your analysis
• Correct use of MLA format and citation style
• Attention to grammar, mechanics, and style (See “Mechanical Proficiencies and Stylistic Attributes”

Here is a good online, step-by-step guide to developing a thesis for an explication:

"Steps for Close Reading or Explication de texte"