poetry reflection essay

Poetry Explained

How to Write a Poetry Essay (Complete Guide)

Unlock success in poetry essays with our comprehensive guide. Uncover the process to help aid understanding of how best to create a poetry essay.

While many of us read poetry for pleasure, it is undeniable that many poetry readers do so in the knowledge that they will be assessed on the text they are reading, either in an exam, for homework, or for a piece of coursework. This is clearly a daunting task for many, and lots of students don’t even know where to begin. We’re here to help! This guide will take you through all the necessary steps so that you can plan and write great poetry essays every time. If you’re still getting to grips with the different techniques, terms, or some other aspect of poetry, then check out our other available resources at the bottom of this page.

This Guide was Created by Joe Samantaria

Degree in English and Related Literature, and a Masters in Irish Literature

Upon completion of his degrees, Joe is an English tutor and counts W.B. Yeats , Emily Brontë , and Federico Garcia Lorca among his favorite poets. He has helped tutor hundreds of students with poetry and aims to do the same for readers and Poetry + users on Poem Analysis.

How to Write a Poetry Essay

1 Before You Start…
2 Introductions
3 Main Paragraphs
4 Conclusions
6 Other Resources

Before You Start…

Before we begin, we must address the fact that all poetry essays are different from one another on account of different academic levels, whether or not the essay pertains to one poem or multiple, and the intended length of the essay. That is before we even contend with the countless variations and distinctions between individual poems. Thus, it is impossible to produce a single, one-size-fits-all template for writing great essays on poetry because the criteria for such an essay are not universal. This guide is, therefore, designed to help you go about writing a simple essay on a single poem, which comes to roughly 1000-1200 words in length. We have designed it this way to mirror the requirements of as many students around the world as possible. It is our intention to write another guide on how to write a comparative poetry essay at a later date. Finally, we would like to stress the fact that this guide is exactly that: a guide. It is not a set of restrictive rules but rather a means of helping you get to grips with writing poetry essays. Think of it more like a recipe that, once practiced a few times, can be modified and adapted as you see fit.

The first and most obvious starting point is the poem itself and there are some important things to do at this stage before you even begin contemplating writing your essay. Naturally, these things will depend on the nature of the essay you are required to write.

Is the poem one you are familiar with?
Do you know anything about the context of the poem or the poet?
How much time do you have to complete the essay?
Do you have access to books or the internet?

These questions matter because they will determine the type, length, and scope of the essay you write. Naturally, an essay written under timed conditions about an unfamiliar poem will look very different from one written about a poem known to you. Likewise, teachers and examiners will expect different things from these essays and will mark them accordingly.

As this article pertains to writing a poverty essay, we’re going to assume you have a grasp of the basics of understanding the poems themselves. There is a plethora of materials available that can help you analyze poetry if you need to, and thousands of analyzed poems are available right here. For the sake of clarity, we advise you to use these tools to help you get to grips with the poem you intend to write about before you ever sit down to actually produce an essay. As we have said, the amount of time spent pondering the poem will depend on the context of the essay. If you are writing a coursework-style question over many weeks, then you should spend hours analyzing the poem and reading extensively about its context. If, however, you are writing an essay in an exam on a poem you have never seen before, you should perhaps take 10-15% of the allotted time analyzing the poem before you start writing.

The Question

Once you have spent enough time analyzing the poem and identifying its key features and themes, you can turn your attention to the question. It is highly unlikely that you will simply be asked to “analyze this poem.” That would be too simple on the one hand and far too broad on the other.

More likely, you will be asked to analyze a particular aspect of the poem, usually pertaining to its message, themes, or meaning. There are numerous ways examiners can express these questions, so we have outlined some common types of questions below.

Explore the poet’s presentation of…
How does the poet present…
Explore the ways the writer portrays their thoughts about…

These are all similar ways of achieving the same result. In each case, the examiner requires that you analyze the devices used by the poet and attempt to tie the effect those devices have to the poet’s broader intentions or meaning.

Some students prefer reading the question before they read the poem, so they can better focus their analytical eye on devices and features that directly relate to the question they are being asked. This approach has its merits, especially for poems that you have not previously seen. However, be wary of focusing too much on a single element of a poem, particularly if it is one you may be asked to write about again in a later exam. It is no good knowing only how a poem links to the theme of revenge if you will later be asked to explore its presentation of time.

Essay plans can help focus students’ attention when they’re under pressure and give them a degree of confidence while they’re writing. In basic terms, a plan needs the following elements:

An overarching answer to the question (this will form the basis of your introduction)
A series of specific, identifiable poetic devices ( metaphors , caesura , juxtaposition , etc) you have found in the poem
Ideas about how these devices link to the poem’s messages or themes.
Some pieces of relevant context (depending on whether you need it for your type of question)

In terms of layout, we do not want to be too prescriptive. Some students prefer to bullet-point their ideas, and others like to separate them by paragraph. If you use the latter approach, you should aim for:

1 Introduction
4-5 Main paragraphs
1 Conclusion

Finally, the length and detail of your plan should be dictated by the nature of the essay you are doing. If you are under exam conditions, you should not spend too much time writing a plan, as you will need that time for the essay itself. Conversely, if you are not under time pressure, you should take your time to really build out your plan and fill in the details.

Introductions

If you have followed all the steps to this point, you should be ready to start writing your essay. All good essays begin with an introduction, so that is where we shall start.

When it comes to introductions, the clue is in the name: this is the place for you to introduce your ideas and answer the question in broad terms. This means that you don’t need to go into too much detail, as you’ll be doing that in the main body of the essay. That means you don’t need quotes, and you’re unlikely to need to quote anything from the poem yet. One thing to remember is that you should mention both the poet’s name and the poem’s title in your introduction. This might seem unnecessary, but it is a good habit to get into, especially if you are writing an essay in which other questions/poems are available to choose from.

As we mentioned earlier, you are unlikely to get a question that simply asks you to analyze a poem in its entirety, with no specific angle. More likely, you’ll be asked to write an essay about a particular thematic element of the poem. Your introduction should reflect this. However, many students fall into the trap of simply regurgitating the question without offering anything more. For example, a question might ask you to explore a poet’s presentation of love, memory, loss, or conflict . You should avoid the temptation to simply hand these terms back in your introduction without expanding upon them. You will get a chance to see this in action below.

Let’s say we were given the following question:

Explore Patrick Kavanagh’s presentation of loss and memory in Memory of My Father

Taking on board the earlier advice, you should hopefully produce an introduction similar to the one written below.

Patrick Kavanagh presents loss as an inescapable fact of existence and subverts the readers’ expectations of memory by implying that memories can cause immense pain, even if they feature loved ones. This essay will argue that Memory of My Father depicts loss to be cyclical and thus emphasizes the difficulties that inevitably occur in the early stages of grief.

As you can see, the introduction is fairly condensed and does not attempt to analyze any specific poetic elements. There will be plenty of time for that as the essay progresses. Similarly, the introduction does not simply repeat the words ‘loss’ and ‘memory’ from the question but expands upon them and offers a glimpse of the kind of interpretation that will follow without providing too much unnecessary detail at this early stage.

Main Paragraphs

Now, we come to the main body of the essay, the quality of which will ultimately determine the strength of our essay. This section should comprise of 4-5 paragraphs, and each of these should analyze an aspect of the poem and then link the effect that aspect creates to the poem’s themes or message. They can also draw upon context when relevant if that is a required component of your particular essay.

There are a few things to consider when writing analytical paragraphs and many different templates for doing so, some of which are listed below.

PEE (Point-Evidence-Explain)
PEA (Point-Evidence-Analysis)
PETAL (Point-Evidence-Technique-Analysis-Link)
IQA (Identify-Quote-Analyze)
PEEL (Point-Evidence-Explain-Link)

Some of these may be familiar to you, and they all have their merits. As you can see, there are all effective variations of the same thing. Some might use different terms or change the order, but it is possible to write great paragraphs using all of them.

One of the most important aspects of writing these kind of paragraphs is selecting the features you will be identifying and analyzing. A full list of poetic features with explanations can be found here. If you have done your plan correctly, you should have already identified a series of poetic devices and begun to think about how they link to the poem’s themes.

It is important to remember that, when analyzing poetry, everything is fair game! You can analyze the language, structure, shape, and punctuation of the poem. Try not to rely too heavily on any single type of paragraph. For instance, if you have written three paragraphs about linguistic features ( similes , hyperbole , alliteration , etc), then try to write your next one about a structural device ( rhyme scheme , enjambment , meter , etc).

Regardless of what structure you are using, you should remember that multiple interpretations are not only acceptable but actively encouraged. Techniques can create effects that link to the poem’s message or themes in both complementary and entirely contrasting ways. All these possibilities should find their way into your essay. You are not writing a legal argument that must be utterly watertight – you are interpreting a subjective piece of art.

It is important to provide evidence for your points in the form of either a direct quotation or, when appropriate, a reference to specific lines or stanzas . For instance, if you are analyzing a strict rhyme scheme, you do not need to quote every rhyming word. Instead, you can simply name the rhyme scheme as, for example, AABB , and then specify whether or not this rhyme scheme is applied consistently throughout the poem or not. When you are quoting a section from the poem, you should endeavor to embed your quotation within your line so that your paragraph flows and can be read without cause for confusion.

When it comes to context, remember to check whether or not your essay question requires it before you begin writing. If you do need to use it, you must remember that it is used to elevate your analysis of the poem, not replace it. Think of context like condiments or spices. When used appropriately, they can enhance the experience of eating a meal, but you would have every right to complain if a restaurant served you a bowl of ketchup in lieu of an actual meal. Moreover, you should remember to only use the contextual information that helps your interpretation rather than simply writing down facts to prove you have memorized them. Examiners will not be impressed that you know the date a particular poet was born or died unless that information relates to the poem itself.

For the sake of ease, let’s return to our earlier question:

Have a look at the example paragraph below, taking note of the ways in which it interprets the linguistic technique in several different ways.

Kavanagh uses a metaphor when describing how the narrator ’s father had “fallen in love with death” in order to capture the narrator’s conflicted attitudes towards his loss. By conflating the ordinarily juxtaposed states of love and death, Kavanagh implies the narrator’s loss has shattered his previously held understanding of the world and left him confused. Similarly, the metaphor could suggest the narrator feels a degree of jealousy, possibly even self-loathing, because their father embraced death willingly rather than remaining with the living. Ultimately, the metaphor’s innate impossibility speaks to the narrator’s desire to rationalize their loss because the reality, that his father simply died, is too painful for him to bear.

As you can see, the paragraph clearly engages with a poetic device and uses an appropriately embedded quotation. The subsequent interpretations are then varied enough to avoid repeating each other, but all clearly link to the theme of loss that was mentioned in the question. Obviously, this is only one analytical paragraph, but a completed essay should contain 4-5. This would allow the writer to analyze enough different devices and link them to both themes mentioned in the question.

Conclusions

By this stage, you should have written the bulk of your essay in the form of your introduction and 4-5 main analytical paragraphs. If you have done those things properly, then the conclusion should largely take care of itself.

The world’s simplest essay plan sounds something like this:

Tell them what you’re going to tell them
Tell them what you’ve told them

This is, naturally, an oversimplification, but it is worth bearing in mind. The conclusion to an essay is not the place to introduce your final, groundbreaking interpretation. Nor is it the place to reveal a hitherto unknown piece of contextual information that shatters any prior critical consensus with regard to the poem you are writing about. If you do either of these things, the examiner will be asking themselves one simple question: why didn’t they write this earlier?

In its most simple form, a conclusion is there, to sum up the points you have made and nothing more.

As with the previous sections, there is a little more to a great conclusion than merely stating the things you have already made. The trick to a great conclusion is to bind those points together to emphasize the essay’s overarching thread or central argument. This is a subtle skill, but mastering it will really help you to finish your essays with a flourish by making your points feel like they are more than the sum of their parts.

Finally, let’s remind ourselves of the hypothetical essay question we’ve been using:

Remember that, just like your introduction, your conclusion should be brief and direct and must not attempt to do more than it needs to.

In conclusion, Kavanagh’s poem utilizes numerous techniques to capture the ways in which loss is both inescapable and a source of enormous pain. Moreover, the poet subverts positive memories by showcasing how they can cause loved ones more pain than comfort in the early stages of grief. Ultimately, the poem demonstrates how malleable memory can be in the face of immense loss due to the way the latter shapes and informs the former.

As you can see, this conclusion is confident and authoritative but does not need to provide evidence to justify this tone because that evidence has already been provided earlier in the essay. You should pay close attention to the manner in which the conclusion links different points together under one banner in order to provide a sense of assuredness.

You should refer to the poet by either using their full name or, more commonly, their surname. After your first usage, you may refer to them as ‘the poet.’ Never refer to the poet using just their first name.

This is a good question, and the answer entirely depends on the level of study as well as the nature of the examination. If you are writing a timed essay for a school exam, you are unlikely to need any form of referencing. If, however, you are writing an essay as part of coursework or at a higher education institution, you may need to refer to the specific guidelines of that institution.

Again, this will depend on the type of essay you are being asked to write. If you are writing a longer essay or writing at a higher educational level, it can be useful to refer to other poems in the writer’s repertoire to help make comments on an aspect of the poem you are primarily writing about. However, for the kind of essay outlined in this article, you should focus solely on the poem you have been asked to write about.

This is one of the most common concerns students have about writing essays . Ultimately, the quality of an essay is more likely to be determined by the quality of paragraphs than the quantity anyway, so you should focus on making your paragraphs as good as they can be. Beyond this, it is important to remember that the time required to write a paragraph is not fixed. The more you write, the faster they will become. You should trust the process, focus on making each paragraph as good as it can be, and you’ll be amazed at how the timing issue takes care of itself.

Other Resources

We hope you have found this article useful and would love for you to comment or reach out to us if you have any queries about what we’ve written. We’d love to hear your feedback!

In the meantime, we’ve collated a list of resources you might find helpful when setting out to tackle a poetry essay, which you can find below.

Do poems have to rhyme?
10 important elements of poetry
How to analyze a poem with SMILE
How to approach unseen poetry
18 Different Types of Themes in Poetry

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Santamaria, Joe. "How to Write a Poetry Essay (Complete Guide)". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/how-to-write-a-poetry-essay/ . Accessed 30 July 2024.

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10 of the Best Poems about Mirrors and Reflections

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Poems are often reflective pieces of writing, and on occasion they have considered actual reflections – mirrors and mirror-images and the like. Below, we’ve selected ten of the finest poems about mirrors and reflections.

William Shakespeare, ‘ Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest ’.

One of the earliest sonnets in Shakespeare’s sonnet sequence – it’s third in the sequence, in fact – ‘Look in thy Glass’ sees Shakespeare trying to convince the Fair Youth to get married and have children, so as to multiply and preserve his own beauty. Appealing to the Youth’s own high self-regard, he begins by directing the beautiful young man to look in his mirror at his own lovely face:

Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest Now is the time that face should form another; Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest, Thou dost beguile the world, unbless some mother. For where is she so fair whose uneared womb Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry? Or who is he so fond will be the tomb Of his self-love, to stop posterity?

Follow the link above to read the full poem.

Walt Whitman, ‘ A Hand-Mirror ’.

Hold it up sternly! See this it sends back! (Who is it? Is it you?) Outside fair costume – within, ashes and filth, No more a flashing eye – no more a sonorous voice or springy step …

What do you see when you look in the mirror? In this poem, America’s nineteenth-century pioneer of free verse discusses how the mirror can throw back some unpleasant realities …

Christina Rossetti, ‘ Passing and Glassing ’.

All things that pass Are woman’s looking-glass; They show her how her bloom must fade, And she herself be laid With withered roses in the shade …

In this poem, the great Victorian poet Christina Rossetti (1830-94) describes how the passing of time and the fact that ‘all things must pass’ is particularly galling for women, since it reminds them how their beauty must fade. The whole world, in a sense, is a mirror holding up a woman’s transient beauty to her.

Thomas Hardy, ‘ I Look into my Glass ’.

I look into my glass, And view my wasting skin, And say, “Would God it came to pass My heart had shrunk as thin!”’

In this poem, Hardy (1840-1928) looks into his mirror and laments the fact that, whilst he remains young at heart and with a young man’s passion and romanticism, his body hasn’t aged as well …

Robert Louis Stevenson, ‘ Looking-Glass River ’.

As well as writing Treasure Island and Jekyll and Hyde , Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94) also wrote the perennially popular A Child’s Garden of Verses (1885), a collection of poems for younger readers including this lovely poem about gazing into the reflective waters of the river:

We can see our coloured faces Floating on the shaken pool Down in cool places, Dim and very cool …

Mary Coleridge, ‘ The Other Side of a Mirror ’.

I sat before my glass one day, And conjured up a vision bare, Unlike the aspects glad and gay, That erst were found reflected there – The vision of a woman, wild With more than womanly despair …

In this poem, the great-grand-niece of Samuel Taylor Coleridge describes a speaker’s confrontation of a strange image in her mirror – an image which is some dark version of herself, possessed of ‘womanly despair’…

H. D., ‘ The Pool ’.

To be honest, this poem doesn’t mention mirrors, and may not even be about reflections. But reflection is one of the interpretations of the poem that have been proposed – namely, that the short imagist masterpiece ‘The Pool’ describes the poet coming face-to-face with her own mirror-image in the surface of the water. A cryptic imagist poem thus becomes a poem about ‘self-reflection’ in both senses.

Elizabeth Bishop, ‘ To Be Written on the Mirror in Whitewash ’.

Like Plath’s mirror poem below, this (altogether shorter) poem is spoken by the mirror itself, announcing that it stands between the spectator and their eyes and ‘collects no interest’. The shortest poem on this list, and a nice companion-piece to Plath’s.

Elizabeth Jennings, ‘ Mirrors ’.

Jennings (1926-2001) deserves a wider readership than she currently enjoys. In this short poem, she uses the image of a mirror at a party, throwing back at her the half-familiar sight of her own self, as a way of pondering the relationship between love and self-love.

Sylvia Plath, ‘ Mirror ’.

A poem, bordering on dramatic monologue, in which a mirror speaks to us , addressing the reader in a matter-of-fact tone, reflecting the flatness of its surface and its inability to do anything other than reflect back to us what it ‘sees’. In summary, the mirror tells us that it has ‘no preconceptions’: it is ‘exact’, with the implication that it simply shows us what it ‘sees’.

This is not some hall of mirrors at a fairground, which deliberately distorts faces and body shapes: whatever we see when we look in the mirror is what the mirror was accurately and faithfully ‘swallowed’. It transmits whatever it receives. But for Plath, the mirror doesn’t merely reflect: it somehow sees people, too.

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3 thoughts on “10 of the Best Poems about Mirrors and Reflections”

This is not a poem about mirrors or reflections but the topic reminded me of it. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50448/shadows-in-the-water

I loved these! The first poem that came to mind when I read the title of your post was “The Lady of Shalott”, but I guess that one is less about mirrors than it is about an entire specific legend.

That almost made it onto the list actually! I mean, ‘The mirror crack’d from side to side’ is such a memorable line (and a turning-point in the poem) :)

How to write a poetry essay

August 26, 2023

Whether you love literature or are just curious, this guide will help you understand, enjoy, and talk about poetry. So, let’s start exploring the world of lines and symbols, where each one tells a story to discover.

Here are the steps on writing a poetry essay.

Choose a poem

The first step is, of course, to choose a poem to write your essay .

It should be one that you find interesting, thought-provoking, or emotionally resonant. It’s important to select a poem that you can engage with and analyze effectively.

Choose a poem that genuinely captures your interest. Look for poems that evoke emotions, thoughts, or curiosity when you read them.
Consider the themes addressed in the poem. It should offer ample material for analysis.

When choosing a poem

So for this guide, let’s choose Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I could not stop for Death.” You’ll see a short excerpt of this poem for your understanding.

Poem example for poetry essay

Because i couldn not stop for Death by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality. We slowly drove – He knew no haste And I had put away My labor and my leisure too, For His Civility – We passed the School, where Children strove At Recess – in the Ring – We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – We passed the Setting Sun – The poem continues....

This poem is intriguing due to its exploration of mortality, the afterlife, and eternity. The imagery and language in the poem provide ample material for analysis, making it a suitable choice for a comprehensive essay.

After carefully choosing the poem that interests you, understanding the poem is the biggest key to writing an effective and nice poetry essay.

Understand the poem

Reading the poem several times to grasp its meaning is the most important part of a good analysis. You must first analyze the structure, rhyme scheme , meter and literary tools used in the poem.

For a solid understanding, you should:

Read the poem multiple times to familiarize yourself with its content. Each reading may reveal new insights.
Identify the central themes or messages the poem conveys.
Study the rhyme scheme and meter (rhythmic pattern) of the poem.
Consider how the structure, including its stanzas, lines, and breaks, contributes to the poem's meaning and impact.

For example

Remember, understanding the poem thoroughly is the foundation for a well-informed analysis. Take your time to grasp the poem’s various elements before moving on to the next steps in your essay.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the poem, let’s move into writing the introduction.

Write a catchy introduction

Begin with an attention-grabbing hook sentence that piques the reader's interest.
Provide the necessary information about the poem and its author. Mention the poet's name and title of the poem.
Offer some context about the poem's time period, literary movement, or cultural influences.
Present your thesis statement , which outlines the main argument or focus of your essay.

Poetry essay introduction example

Introduction

Thesis statement for poetry essays

A thesis statement is a clear and concise sentence or two that presents the main argument or point of your essay . It provides a roadmap for your reader, outlining what they can expect to find in your essay.

In the case of a poetry essay, your thesis statement should capture the central message, themes, or techniques you’ll be discussing in relation to the poem.

Why is the thesis important for a poetry essay?

By reading your thesis statement, your audience should have a clear idea of what to expect from your poem analysis essay.

When creating a thesis statement, keep these in mind:

Start by identifying the key elements of the poem that you want to discuss. These could be themes, literary devices, emotions conveyed, or the poet's intentions.
Based on the key elements you've identified, formulate a central argument that encapsulates your main analysis. What is the poem trying to convey? What are you trying to say about the poem?
Your thesis should be specific and focused. Avoid vague or broad statements. Instead, provide a clear direction for your analysis.

Poetry essasy thesis statement example

....(introduction starts) ....(introduction continues) ....(introduction continues) In "Because I could not stop for Death," Emily Dickinson employs vivid imagery, personification, and an unconventional perspective on mortality to explore the transcendence of death and the eternity of the soul. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Analyze language and imagery

Language and image analysis in poetry involves a close examination of the words, phrases and literary devices used by the poet. In this step you must uncover the deeper layers of meaning, emotion and sensory experiences conveyed by the poet’s choice of language and imagery.

Why language and imagery?

Start by identifying and listing the literary devices present in the poem. These could include metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and more.
For each identified device, explain its significance. How does it contribute to the poem's meaning, mood, or tone?
Analyze how the literary devices interact with the context of the poem. How do they relate to the themes, characters, or situations presented in the poem?
Discuss how the use of specific language and imagery influences the reader's emotional response and understanding of the poem.

Continuing with Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death,” let’s analyze the use of imagery:

Language and imagery analysis example

Lines chosen for analysis

Discuss themes in body paragraphs

Exploring themes helps you grasp the deeper meaning of the poem and connect it to broader human experiences. Understanding the themes allows you to uncover what the poet is attempting to convey and how the poem relates to readers on a universal level.

In this step, you will likely dedicate multiple body paragraphs to the analysis of various aspects of language and imagery. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific literary device, phrase, or aspect of language and imagery.

Here’s how you can structure the body paragraphs.

Poetry essay body paragraphs example

Body Paragraph 1: Identify and Explain Literary Devices

Body Paragraph 2: Context and Interaction with Themes

Body Paragraph 3: Reader's emotional response and understanding

Provide evidence from the poem

Providing evidence involves quoting specific lines or stanzas from the poem to support the points you’re making in your analysis. These quotes serve as concrete examples that demonstrate how the poet uses language, imagery, or literary devices to convey specific meanings or emotions.

Select lines or stanzas from the poem that directly relate to the point you're making in your analysis.
Introduce each quote with context, explaining the significance of the lines and how they contribute to your analysis.
Use quotation marks to indicate that you're using the poet's language.
After providing the quote, interpret its meaning. Explain how the language, imagery, or devices used in the quoted lines contribute to your analysis.

Providing evidence example

In your essay, you should include several quotes and interpret them to reinforce your points. Quoting specific lines from the poem allows you to showcase the poet’s language while demonstrating how these lines contribute to the poem’s overall expression.

Write a conclusion

Conclusion paragraph is the last sentence of your poem analysis essay. It reinforces your thesis statement and emphasizes your insights.

Additionally, the conclusion offers a chance to provide a final thought that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. In your conclusion, make sure to:

Start by rephrasing your thesis statement. Remind the reader of the main argument you've made in your essay.
Provide a concise summary of the main points. Avoid introducing new information; focus on the key ideas.
Discuss the broader significance or implications. How does the poem's message relate to readers beyond its specific context?
End with a thoughtful reflection, observation, or question that leaves the reader with something to ponder.

Poetry essay conclusion example

In your essay, the conclusion serves as a final opportunity to leave a strong impression on the reader by summarizing your analysis and offering insights into the poem’s broader significance.

Now, it’s time to double check what you’ve written.

Proofread and revise your essay

Edit your essay for clarity, coherence, tense selection , correct headings , etc. Ensure that your ideas flow logically and your analysis is well-supported. Remember, a poetry essay is an opportunity to delve into the nuances of a poem’s language, themes, and emotions.

Review each paragraph to ensure ideas flow logically from one to the next.
Check for grammar and punctuation errors.
Verify that your evidence from the poem is accurately quoted and explained.
Make sure your language is clear and effectively conveys your analysis.

By proofreading and revising, you can refine your essay, improving its readability and ensuring that your insights are communicated accurately.

So this was the last part, you’re now ready to write your first poem analysis (poetry) essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i include in the introduction of a poetry essay.

In the introduction, provide background information about the poem and poet. Include the poem’s title, publication date, and any relevant context that helps readers understand its significance.

Can I include my emotional responses in a poetry essay?

Yes, you can discuss your emotional responses, but ensure they are supported by your analysis of the poem’s literary elements. Avoid focusing solely on personal feelings.

Is it important to understand the poet's background when writing a poetry essay?

While it can provide context, your focus should be on analyzing the poem itself. If the poet’s background is relevant to the poem’s interpretation, mention it briefly.

What's the best way to conclude a poetry essay?

In the conclusion, summarize your main points and tie them together. Offer insights into the poem’s broader significance, implications, or lasting impact.

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Poetry Analysis Essay Guide: Structure, Examples, and Writing Tips

Updated 26 Jul 2024

With its intricate language and captivating imagery, poetry has the remarkable ability to touch the depths of our emotions and provoke reflections. As readers, we often find ourselves captivated by the beauty and depth of a poem, but when tasked with analyzing and interpreting its layers of meaning, we may feel overwhelmed.

This blog post is your full poem analysis essay guide — you will get valuable insights and practical tips to navigate the intricate world of poetry analysis.

What is a poetry analysis essay? Quick explanation

A poetry analysis examines and interprets a poem to understand its meaning, themes, structure, language, and literary devices used by the poet. It seeks to go beyond the surface level and delve into the poem's complexities and nuances, uncovering its intentions, symbolism, and the overall effect created through the choice of words, imagery, rhythm, and other literary devices.

An analysis can change how you view the poem and help you see a deeper meaning, which helps to develop a greater appreciation for the artistry of poetry. To conduct a poetry analysis essay, you must engage with the poem on multiple levels, exploring its themes, emotions, and ideas.

How to choose a topic for a poetry analysis essay?

When choosing a poetry analysis essay topic, you should start by reading various poems and selecting one that captures your interest. Look for poems that resonate with you emotionally or intellectually or have themes or elements you find intriguing.

You can also look at its complexity and depth: a poem with multiple layers of meaning, rich imagery, and intricate language can provide ample material for analysis. Avoid choosing too simplistic or straightforward poems, as they may limit the depth of analysis.

Then, consider the thematic poem elements. Does it explore love, nature, identity, death, or social issues? Choose the one that addresses themes you find compelling or relevant, as it will make the analysis more engaging.

Remember, the topic you choose should be one that you feel passionate about, and that allows for a thorough and insightful analysis. It should offer enough material for exploration and interpretation, enabling you to delve into the poem's nuances and uncover deeper layers of meaning.

Poetry analysis essay outline with examples

An outline should include various sections to ensure a comprehensive and organized analysis — we added key rules and poetry analysis essay examples to guide you.

Introduction

The introduction sets the tone for the essay and provides the necessary context. It introduces the poem and the poet, establishes the focus of the analysis, and presents the thesis statement.

Include the following:

Provide the title, poet's name, and publication date.
Add brief background information about the poet and the poem's context.
State your main argument or poem interpretation.

Poem analysis essay example :

‘Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken,' published in 1916, is a widely celebrated piece of American literature. In this poem, Frost explores the theme of choices and their lifelong impact. Closely examining the poem's language, symbolism, and narrative perspective makes it clear that 'The Road Not Taken' challenges the notion of individualism and invites a reconsideration of the conventional interpretation.’

Poem summary

A summary of the poetry analysis essay provides a concise overview of its content and structure. It helps the reader grasp the key elements of the poem before delving into the analysis. You need to:

Summarize the content and structure of the poem.
Highlight key events, images, or ideas presented in the poem.

'The Road Not Taken' is a narrative poem consisting of four stanzas with a rhyming scheme of ABAAB. The speaker reflects on a pivotal moment in their life when faced with two diverging paths in a yellow wood. They ultimately choose the less traveled road, which proves to have a profound impact on their life journey."

Analysis of poetic devices

Analyzing poetic devices helps uncover the poet's intentional choices, which deepen the understanding of the themes, emotions, and overall impact on the reader. You need to:

Identify and analyze the literary devices.
Discuss their effects on the poem's meaning and tone.
Explore how the devices contribute to the overall poetic experience.

Metaphor: Frost uses the metaphor of the roads to symbolize life choices. By describing the two paths as 'diverged in a yellow wood,' he invites readers to consider the paths as representative of life's diverging opportunities. The metaphor emphasizes the significance of decision-making and the uncertainty that accompanies it.

Analysis of themes

By analyzing how themes are developed and conveyed, the essay reveals the poem's complexities and invites readers to engage with its deeper layers of meaning.

Make sure you complete the following:

Identify and explore the central poem themes.
Analyze how these themes are developed and conveyed throughout the poem.
Provide evidence to support your analysis.

Individualism vs. Conformity: Frost challenges the conventional interpretation of the poem as a celebration of individualism. Instead, he suggests that both paths were equally worn, implying that choices often appear more significant in retrospect. The poem raises questions about the role of individual agency and the influence of societal expectations in decision-making.

If you have ever worked on other types of analysis, like a literary analysis essay, you know that the conclusion needs to summarize the main points and findings. It reinforces the thesis statement and restates the significance of the analysis. Your job is to:

Recapitulate the analyzed poem's central themes, literary devices, and elements.
Restate the thesis statement or main argument and emphasize how the analysis has supported and illuminated it.
Discuss the broader significance of the poem and its analysis.

In conclusion, John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" transports us to a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur. Through his masterful use of vivid imagery, melodic language, and introspective musings, Keats invites us to contemplate the ephemeral nature of life and the solace that art can offer.

Poetry analysis essay: full guide

While poetry analysis is essential, some students also get asked to conduct a literature review. You only need to shoot ‘ write my literature review ’ to get professional assistance and learn more. In this section, we will review key things you must include in your poem analysis essay.

By analyzing the title of a poem, you can gain insights into the poet's intentions, thematic focus, and overall tone and atmosphere. It helps create a deeper exploration of the poem's content and enhances your understanding of its artistic and emotional impact.

Consider the literal meaning. Start by examining the literal meaning of the title. Look for any keywords, phrases, or references that stand out. Consider the denotative meaning of these words and how they relate to the subject matter or themes you might expect to find in the poem.
Look for symbolism. Titles often carry symbolic or metaphorical significance. Consider whether the title has a deeper symbolic meaning beyond its literal interpretation. Look for potential connections between the title and the content or themes of the poem.
Examine word choice and connotations. Pay attention to the specific words chosen for the title. Consider their connotations and the associations they evoke. Analyze how these words contribute to the poem's tone, mood, or overall atmosphere. Reflect on whether the title reflects a positive, negative, ambiguous, or ironic tone.
Explore multiple interpretations. Titles can be open to interpretation, allowing for multiple layers of meaning. Consider different interpretations of the title and how they align with your initial understanding of the piece. Reflect on how these interpretations influence your overall analysis and understanding of the poem.
Reflect on the poet's intention.
Consider the poet's intention in choosing the title. Reflect on whether the title serves to summarize, encapsulate, or add complexity to the poem's themes or ideas. Analyze how the title may reflect the poet's artistic vision or provide a clue to their intended message.
Compare with the ending. Sometimes, the title of a poem gains additional significance or takes on new meaning when compared with the poem's ending. Analyze the relationship between the title and the final lines of the poem. Reflect on whether the title is reaffirmed, challenged, or transformed by the poem's conclusion.

While conducting poetry analysis essays, analyzing a poem's structure is a must. Here are questions that will guide you:

Determine the specific form of the poem. Is it a sonnet, a haiku, a ballad, or a free verse?
Are the lengths of the lines and stanzas consistent or vary throughout the poem? Reflect on how these breaks and variations contribute to the poem's rhythm, pacing, and overall effect.
Does the poem follow a specific rhyme scheme (such as AABB, ABAB, or ABBA), or if it lacks a regular rhyme pattern?
Are there any repeated words, phrases, or entire lines? Reflect on why the poet employs repetition and how it contributes to the overall meaning or effect of the poem.
How does punctuation affect the flow and interpretation of the piece? Does the poet use punctuation to create pauses, emphasize certain words or phrases, or convey a specific tone or mood?
Consider how the structure relates to its content and themes. Does the form enhance or challenge the poem's meaning? Analyze whether there is harmony or tension between the form and the subject matter and how this contributes to the poem's overall effect.

Tone and intonation of the poetry

By paying attention to the tone and intonation, you can gain insights into the poet's attitude, mood, and overall atmosphere. To analyze the tone and intonation in your poem analysis essay, read it multiple times, immersing yourself in the language and imagery used. Consider the following aspects:

Word choice. Look for words with strong connotations that evoke particular emotions or create a specific mood. Consider whether the words used convey a sense of joy, sadness, anger, or contemplation.

Figurative language. Analyze the poem's figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification. Consider how these devices contribute to the tone and intonation. For example, using vivid metaphors may create a tone of intensity or heightened emotion, while gentle similes may convey a more tender or reflective tone.

Sentence structure and syntax. Note whether the sentences are long or short, fragmented or flowing. Consider how the poet's choices in sentence structure and syntax influence the tone and rhythm of the poem. Short, abrupt sentences may create a sense of urgency or tension, while longer, flowing sentences may convey a more contemplative or relaxed tone.

Analyzing the purpose of a poem involves examining the poet's intentions, motivations, and the message they seek to convey through their work.

Reflect on the poet's background, including their life experiences, cultural influences, and literary tradition. Consider the historical, social, or political context in which the poem was written. Analyze how these factors may have shaped the poet's purpose and influenced their choice of subject matter or themes.
Identify the main themes or ideas explored in the poem. Themes can range from love, nature, identity, social justice, mortality, or any other subject that the poet engages with. Reflect on the poet's purpose in addressing these themes and how they relate to the larger human experience or the poet's personal beliefs.
Consider how literary devices such as metaphors, similes, symbolism, or allusion contribute to the poem's purpose. Reflect on how they enhance the meaning, create vivid imagery, or add layers of depth to the poet's message.
Reflect on the impact the poem has on you as a reader. Analyze how the poet's purpose is conveyed through the emotional, intellectual, or sensory responses evoked by the poem. You can reflect on whether the poem achieves its purpose in engaging, enlightening, or transforming the reader's understanding or perspective.
Based on your analysis, formulate your interpretation of the poet's purpose. Just like with the critical analysis essay example, engage with the text and connect your findings to your own experiences, knowledge, or beliefs. It’s a good idea to support your interpretation with evidence from the poem, highlighting specific lines, images, or techniques that contribute to the poet's purpose.

Language and imagery

Analyzing the language and imagery of poetry involves closely examining the poet's use of language, vivid descriptions, and literary devices to create a rich sensory experience for the reader.

Imagery refers to sensory language that creates vivid mental images in the reader's mind. Pay attention to the visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory images created by the poet.
Symbols are objects, images, or actions representing deeper meanings beyond their literal interpretation. Analyze the symbols used in the poem and consider their significance and potential interpretations.
Poetic devices are techniques poets use to enhance their work's meaning, sound, and musicality. Analyze the following poetic devices and their impact on the poem:

Metaphor: Identify comparisons between two seemingly unrelated things without using "like" or "as."

Sample: "Her laughter was a melody that danced through the air."

Simile: Notice comparisons that use "like" or "as" to liken one thing to another.

Sample: "His smile shone like the sun on a summer's day."

Personification: Look for instances where non-human objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities or characteristics.

Sample: "The wind whispered secrets through the trees."

Alliteration: Identify the repetition of consonant sounds, particularly at the beginning of words.

Sample: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers."

Assonance: Notice the repetition of vowel sounds within words.

Sample: "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain."

Onomatopoeia: Identify words that imitate or resemble the sounds they describe.

Sample: "The sizzle of the frying pan filled the kitchen."

Analyzing the music of a poem involves examining the poet's use of sound patterns, rhythm, meter, and other musical elements to create a harmonious and melodic effect.

Poem's meter. Meter refers to the rhythmic pattern created by stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry. Analyzing it helps you understand the poem's musical structure and its effect on the reader.

Rhyme and rhyme scheme. Examine the poem's use of rhyme, including end rhymes (rhyming words at the end of lines) and internal rhymes (rhyming words within lines). Analyzing rhyme and rhyme schemes provides insights into the poem's musicality and the poet's deliberate choices.

Sound devices . Look for sound devices employed by the poet to create musical effects, including alliteration, assonance, and consonance.

Writing poetry analysis essay: key points

Read the poem multiple times to grasp its meaning and gather initial impressions.
Analyze the title and consider its significance in the poem's themes and content.
Examining poetry analysis structure, including its stanzas, lines, and rhyme scheme.
Analyze the language and imagery used, noting any literary devices the poet employs.
Consider the tone and mood of the piece of poetry and how they contribute to its overall message.
Reflect on the purpose of the poem and the poet's intended audience.
Formulate a clear thesis statement that presents your interpretation or analysis.
Develop the body paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect.
Support your analysis with evidence from the work, including quotes and examples.
Explain the significance of your findings and how they contribute to the overall understanding of the poem.
Conclude your paper by summarizing your main points and reflecting thoughtfully on the poem's impact or significance.

Poetry analysis essay template

I. Introduction

Hook: Begin with an attention-grabbing statement or question.
Context: Provide brief background information about the poet and the poem.
Thesis statement: State your main argument or interpretation.

II. Analysis of Title

Analyze the title's significance and possible meanings.
Discuss how the title sets the tone or introduces key themes.

III. Analysis of Structure

Examine the poem's structure, including stanzas, lines, and rhyme scheme.
Analyze the impact of the structure on the poem's meaning or rhythm.

IV. Analysis of Language and Imagery

Identify and analyze literary devices used in the poem (e.g., metaphors, similes, personification).
Discuss the effectiveness of the poet's language in conveying the poem's themes or emotions.
Analyze the vividness and impact of the poem's imagery.

V. Analysis of Tone and Mood

Identify the piece's overall tone (e.g., joyful, melancholic, contemplative).
Discuss how the poet's tone contributes to the reader's understanding or emotional response.
Analyze the mood created by the poem's language and imagery.

VI. Analysis of Themes and Meaning

Identify the central themes.
Analyze how the poet develops and conveys these themes through various poetic elements.
Discuss the deeper meaning or message conveyed by the poem.

VII. Conclusion

Summarize the main points discussed in the essay.
Restate the thesis statement and its significance.
Provide a final reflection on the poem's impact or enduring relevance.

Tips on how to write a poetry analysis essay

Embrace your emotional response. Poetry often evokes strong emotions. Don't shy away from expressing your personal feelings and reactions. Your emotional response can be a valuable entry point for deeper analysis.

Engage with the poet's background. Research the poet's life, experiences, and historical context. Understanding the poet's background can illuminate the poem's inspiration and add depth to your analysis.

Draw connections to other works. Compare the poem with other works by the same poet or poets from the same literary movement. Identifying common themes and stylistic choices can enrich your interpretation.

Visualize the poem. Create a visual representation of the imagery and structure. Sketching or visual aids can help you better understand the poem's patterns and symbolism.

Collaborate with peers. Discuss the piece of poetry with classmates or friends and exchange ideas. Engaging in group discussions can offer fresh perspectives and lead to new insights.

Apply real-life experiences. Relate the themes or messages of the poem to real-life situations or historical events. This approach can make the poem's meaning more relatable and relevant.

Challenge conventions. Feel free to challenge conventional interpretations or literary analysis norms. A fresh perspective can lead to a more unique and compelling essay.

In conclusion

By carefully examining the poem's structure, language, imagery, and themes, we unlock its secrets and profoundly understand the poet's intentions. Writing a poetry analysis essay allows us to explore our interpretations, connect with the poet's voice, and engage with the timeless and universal truths that poetry conveys.

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Written by Steven Robinson

Steven Robinson is an academic writing expert with a degree in English literature. His expertise, patient approach, and support empower students to express ideas clearly. On EduBirdie's blog, he provides valuable writing guides on essays, research papers, and other intriguing topics. Enjoys chess in free time.

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Learned words: using poetry to reflect on practices in higher education

Poetry writing can aid reflection on your teaching and learning or research practices, offering a fresh way of organising thoughts, as Sam Illingworth explains

Sam Illingworth

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I have written before about how poetry can be created from data to aid analysis , and even how it might be used to solve problems , but what about reflection? How might people working in higher education turn to poetry to revisit, contextualise and learn from their experiences?

For those of you who want to think about writing poetry to reflect on your own teaching and learning experiences or perhaps encourage your students to do so, I offer the following process, one that is grounded in Gibbs’ reflective cycle .

In the first part of this process, I recommend picking a formative learning and/or teaching experience, going through each of the steps in Gibbs’ cycle, and writing down 30 to 50 words for each. In formalising this reflection, it might be that some of the steps bleed into one another, and for example you find yourself developing a combined “Conclusion” and “Action plan”. However, in some cases this is to be expected; don’t get too caught up in the specifics but focus on the process as a whole.

As an example, here is a reflection using Gibbs’ cycle on one of my most formative learning experiences: taken from when I was a lecturer in science communication at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Description: In my first ever lecture I waited outside the classroom to shake hands with the cohort. One of the female students said she could not shake my hand for religious reasons.

Feelings: I felt incredibly embarrassed and also worried that I had upset, shamed, or offended the student.

Evaluation: It was very bad that I had potentially upset the student, but after checking in with them, this was thankfully not the case.

Analysis: This was an awkward situation that forced me to re-evaluate how to approach the needs of the individual when working with students.

Conclusion: I could have checked beforehand about the potential implications of my handshaking. For example, by asking other colleagues if they did this.

Action plan: I no longer wait outside classrooms waiting to shake the hands of my students, and I try to understand their individual needs, rather than assume that they are the same as mine.

Having developed this reflection, we can now turn it into a poem. Aside from being a creative outlet, doing so helps to provide an alternative lens through which to view and even reconsider our reflections.

Starting with your reflections from Gibbs’ cycle, use the following four steps to turn them into a poem:

Take the “Descriptions”, “Feelings” and “Evaluation” and write them side by side
Look for a rhythm
Fill in gaps using the rest of your reflections
Edit the poem so that it is true to your experience

Step 1: Take the ‘Descriptions’, ‘Feelings’ and ‘Evaluation’ and write them side by side

In my first ever lecture I waited outside the classroom to shake hands with the cohort. One of the female students said she could not shake my hand for religious reasons. I felt incredibly embarrassed and also worried that I had upset, shamed, or offended the student. It was very bad that I had potentially upset the student, but after checking in with them, this was thankfully not the case.

Step 2: Look for a rhythm

I think that overly restrictive definitions of what a poem is and is not can be exclusionary, and as such I offer the following inclusive, and some might say very loose, definition: all poems have rhythm. Taking this into consideration, how might we begin to turn the text that we produced in Step 1 into a poem, by introducing some line breaks and removing any text that feels either redundant or unrhythmical:

Step 3: Fill in gaps using the rest of your reflections

At this point we have developed the following nascent poem:

In my first ever lecture I waited outside the classroom to shake hands. One of the students said she could not. I felt embarrassed and worried. It was very bad.

However, the last three lines feel underdeveloped. Also, they are at odds with the reflection as a whole, as they tend to put the focus of the poem on my needs, rather than that of a shared experience with the student. At this stage we need to replace some of the lines with new ones, using words that might not have appeared in the original reflection created using Gibbs’ cycle, but which are still congruent to the experience itself.

Step 4: Edit the poem so that it is true to your experience

In my first lecture I waited outside the classroom to shake hands. One of the students said she could not. I felt embarrassed for a shame we shared.

As a final step, we might now also think about a title for this piece. Deciding on the best title for your poems is hard (or at least I find it to be hard). The best advice I have received was from the writer Sara Goudarzi , who once told me that “the title should say something that the poem does not”. How I interpret this when writing my own poems is that if the topic is immediately obvious from the poem itself then I can afford to be a little bit more playful with the title, but if the poem is deliberately vague or metaphorical then a more literal title might be useful. Using this approach, I settled on a title of Aligning Our Needs .

If this exercise has piqued your interest, then you might consider submitting your work (anonymously) to Learned Words , a repository of poetry that we have set up to curate the poetic reflections of people from around the world who support learning and teaching in higher education. We welcome poems from anyone working in the higher education sector; there is no gatekeeping with regard to aesthetics or reputation. Rather, we want to create a space were everyone is welcome to use poetry to revisit, contextualise and learn from their experiences.

Sam Illingworth is associate professor in the department of learning and teaching enhancement at Edinburgh Napier University and author of Science Communication Through Poetry . His work focuses on using poetry to develop dialogue between scientists and non-scientists.

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Poetry & Poets

Explore the beauty of poetry – discover the poet within

How To Conclude A Poetry Essay

Background Information

When writing a poetry essay, the conclusion should be just as important as the introduction – it should both analyze and consider the poem’s structure, imagery and language, while also interpreting and evaluating its meaning. A well-written, thought-provoking conclusion that ties together the various elements of the poetry essay can leave an indelible and memorable impression on the reader.

Exploring Structure

In concluding a poetry essay, it can be helpful to look at the structure of the poem. Examining the work in relation to meter, rhyme, and line length can provide useful insight and understanding of the poem’s overall aesthetic. For example, the meter of a poem can provide insight into its overall theme and message, as well as its overall structure and pacing. Rhyme can also offer clues and hints at the meaning of the poem, and can provide insight into the poet’s intent. Line length can also offer hints at underlying themes and meanings, since longer lines tend to be more descriptive, while shorter lines are often more direct and straightforward. Exploring the structure of the poem can provide useful information for the conclusion of a poetry essay.

Exploring Imagery

The imagery used in a poem can also provide insight into its meaning, so this should also be addressed in the conclusion of a poetry essay. Imagery is the poet’s way of bringing the poem to life and should be considered in the conclusion. Looking at the images that the poet used, as well as the symbolism employed, can provide further insight into the overall message and meaning of the poem. Furthermore, the use of specific imagery can also be used to evaluate the poet’s intent and make a statement about the poem’s overall impact and effectiveness.

Exploring Language

The language used in a poem is also an important factor to consider in the conclusion of a poetry essay. The language used can provide insight into the poet’s intent, tone, and overall style. Looking at the vocabulary and syntax employed can help to further understand the poem and its effects. For example, the use of certain words or phrases may be used to evoke certain feelings and make the poem more evocative and insightful. Additionally, examining the words used in comparison to the context of the poem can also help to create a better understanding of the poet’s intent and the poem’s overall message.

Analyzing Meaning

In conclusion, the analysis of the poem’s meaning is perhaps the most important element of a poetry essay. Looking at the poem’s structure, imagery, and language can provide useful insight into its overall meaning, but the conclusion should also attempt to evaluate the poem’s effectiveness and make an overall statement about its impact. It should provide the reader with a sense of closure and finality, and leave them with a lasting impression.

Providing Context

In addition to evaluating the poem’s effectiveness, the conclusion should also provide context for the poem, in terms of how it fits within a larger literary history. Does the poem reference events or trends that are significant in a particular era or culture? Are there similar poems or types of poetic forms that the poem could be compared to? Providing this type of background and context can help to further illustrate the poem’s significance and importance.

Providing Interpretation

Finally, the conclusion should provide the reader with a personal interpretation and evaluation of the poem. How does the poem make the reader feel? What does it say about the poet, and about the larger world? Are there any particular images or lines that are particularly powerful or meaningful? Exploring these questions in the conclusion can help to bring the poem to life and leave the reader with a vivid understanding of its impact and resonance.

Developing A Thesis

The conclusion to a poetry essay should develop a thesis statement that summarizes the paper’s argument and the poem’s significance. The thesis statement should clearly state the argument that is being made about the poem, and should be supported by the evidence presented earlier in the paper. The thesis statement should also be phrased in an interesting and compelling way, in order to draw the reader’s attention and to provide a memorable takeaway.

Exploring Themes

The analysis of a poem’s various themes should also be addressed in the conclusion. Examining the various themes that the poem explores and how they are presented can provide insight into the poem’s overall message and significance. This can be done by looking at the images and language that the poet uses, as well as any references that the poem may contain. Addressing the themes of the poem in the conclusion can help to provide further insight into its meaning and impact.

Exploring Tone

The tone of the poem should also be discussed in the conclusion. Tone is often closely linked to themes, so exploring the tone can help to further unpack the meaning of the poem and provide a unique perspective. Tone can be explored by looking at the language used, as well as by considering the descriptive phrases and imagery that the poet uses. Addressing the tone of the poem can add another layer of understanding and appreciation for the poem and its overall message.

Exploring Ideas

In addition to exploring the poem’s structure, imagery, language, themes, and tone, the conclusion should also explore any ideas or perspectives that the poem may be introducing or suggesting. Does the poem provide a comment on a particular issue or social issue? Does the poem explore any controversial topics or issues? Exploring these ideas can provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the poem and its overall impact.

Considering Emotions

Finally, the conclusion should consider the emotions evoked by the poem. In general, poems are meant to evoke strong emotions, so exploring the emotions that the poem evokes can provide further insight into its message and significance. Does the poem make the reader feel sad, joyful, angry, confused, or inspired? Addressing the emotions evoked by the poem can bring the poem to life for the reader and provide a unique, memorable impression.

Minnie Walters

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

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For everyone who tried on the slipper before cinderella.

after Anis Mojgani and Audre Lorde

For those making tea in the soft light of Saturday morning in the peaceful kitchen in the cool house For those with shrunken hearts still trying to love For those with large hearts trying to forget For those with terrors they cannot name upset stomachs and too tight pants For those who get cut off in traffic For those who spend all day making an elaborate meal that turns out mediocre For those who could not leave even when they knew they had to For those who never win the lottery or become famous For those getting groceries on Friday nights

There is something you know about living that you guard with your life your one fragile, wonderful life wonder, as in, awe, as in, I had no idea I would be here now .

For those who make plans and those who don’t For those driving across the country to a highway that knows them For the routes we take in the dark, trusting For the roads for the woods for the dead humming in prayer For an old record and a strong sun For teeth bared to the wind a pulse in the chest a body making love to itself

There is every reason to hate it here There is a list of things making it bearable: your friend’s shoulder Texas barbecue a new book a loud song a strong song a highway that knows you sweet tea an orange cat a helping hand an unforgettable dinner

a laugh that escapes you and deflates you like a pink balloon left soft with room for goodness to take hold

For those who have looked in the mirror and begged For those with weak knees and an attitude For those called “sensitive” or “too much” For those not called enough For the times you needed and went without For the photo of you as a child quietly icing cupcakes your hair a crackling thunderstorm

Love is coming. It’s on its way. Look—

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Poetry — Reflection Of Writing Poetry

Reflection of Writing Poetry

Categories: Poetry

About this sample

Words: 1137 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 1137 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

I. introduction, ii. the creative process of writing poetry, iii. the reflective nature of poetry, iv. impact of writing poetry on personal growth, v. challenges and benefits of reflecting on one's writing, vi. conclusion, a. inspiration and ideas for poetry, b. techniques and styles of writing poetry, c. the role of emotions in poetry writing, a. exploring personal experiences and emotions through poetry, b. using poetry as a form of self-expression and self-discovery, c. reflecting on societal issues and personal beliefs through poetry, a. developing empathy and understanding through poetry, b. building self-awareness and self-acceptance through poetry, c. fostering creativity and critical thinking skills through poetry, a. overcoming writer's block and self-doubt in poetry writing, b. the therapeutic benefits of writing poetry for mental health, c. the importance of feedback and revision in poetry writing.

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Reflections on Writing Poetry

Originally published at thinkingthroughmylens.com on May 2, 2018.

After 30 days of writing a poem a day, I asked my students to take some time to reflect on what they learned from participating in the challenge. So, in the spirit of full participation, I am also taking the time to reflect on all I learned from this poetry challenge.

My thoughts seem to have coalesced into four categories: learning from poetry, learning from writing, learning from students, and learning from blogging.

Learning from Poetry

Poetry offers opportunities to express feelings, to practice crafting vivid descriptions, to bring others into your view of the world. Like the sunset, poetry makes everything more beautiful. Each word contributes to the painting the reader experiences, blending and building, As I read poems written by others–published or not–I found inspiration for my own poetry. Poems became mentors for my poems, they opened my eyes to my own experiences, allowing me to see my own life in new ways.

Learning from Writing

The only way to be a writer is to write. I have learned the lesson again that when I write daily, writing comes. My brain and my hands seem to respond to the daily habit of putting words on a page. Knowing I will write each day helps me pay attention, helps me think about connections between thoughts, actions, and ideas, and helps me articulate my thinking. When I write daily I get into that mode we in the writing project often call writer’s brain . It is a space where experiences become fodder for written expression. When I expect to write, I write more and better and explore life’s possibilities through language. Writing helps me branch out, trying on new ideas in different ways.

Learning from Students

I have watched my students blossom as writers. Stilted, ordinary poems have become unexpected expressions of whimsy, of fear, of love, of exploration. My students have become a community of writers who are interested in the writing of others and who are eager to share their writing with others. They are talking about their inspiration, about their struggles as writers, about their ideas for revision, and finding poems in their baseball games, in their dance rehearsals, in the night sky, and in the books we read. I have loved watching their poetry grow in sophistication and I have noticed that writing has become less daunting, although no less challenging as they strive to express themselves.

Learning from Blogging

Blogging my 30 days of poetry has been a public affirmation of poetry as a valuable learning activity. I not only made my own poetry public, but I also showcased the poetry of my students. Giving my students an authentic audience was motivating. They were eager to share their poetry and have it appear on my blog. Many checked my blog to see whose poem they would find. Blogging each day also made real my commitment to being a teacher-writer. I not only teach writing, I write. Being vulnerable as a writer helps me remember that this writing thing is not easy…and is filled with pitfalls. I remember each day when I work with students that writing needs nurturing…and writers do too!

Thanks to all of you who read and liked and commented during our 30-day poetry challenge. I look forward to reading my students’ reflections and hearing their perspectives on this learning. I’ll be sure to share their insights with you too!

Kim Douillard is an elementary school teacher and the director of the San Diego Area Writing Project.

May 02, 2018

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How to Write a Reflection Paper: An Easy-to-Follow Guide

Last Updated: June 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Sample Outline and Paper

Brainstorming, organizing a reflection paper, as you write, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Alicia Cook . Alicia Cook is a Professional Writer based in Newark, New Jersey. With over 12 years of experience, Alicia specializes in poetry and uses her platform to advocate for families affected by addiction and to fight for breaking the stigma against addiction and mental illness. She holds a BA in English and Journalism from Georgian Court University and an MBA from Saint Peter’s University. Alicia is a bestselling poet with Andrews McMeel Publishing and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including the NY Post, CNN, USA Today, the HuffPost, the LA Times, American Songwriter Magazine, and Bustle. She was named by Teen Vogue as one of the 10 social media poets to know and her poetry mixtape, “Stuff I’ve Been Feeling Lately” was a finalist in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,835,978 times.

Reflection papers allow you to communicate with your instructor about how a specific article, lesson, lecture, or experience shapes your understanding of class-related material. Reflection papers are personal and subjective [1] X Research source , but they must still maintain a somewhat academic tone and must still be thoroughly and cohesively organized. Here's what you need to know about writing an effective reflection.

How to Start a Reflection Paper

To write a reflection paper, first write an introduction that outlines your expectations and thesis. Then, state your conclusions in the body paragraphs, explaining your findings with concrete details. Finally, conclude with a summary of your experience.

These sentences should be both descriptive yet straight to the point.

Step 2 Jot down material that stands out in your mind.

For lectures or readings, you can write down specific quotations or summarize passages.
For experiences, make a note of specific portions of your experience. You could even write a small summary or story of an event that happened during the experience that stands out. Images, sounds, or other sensory portions of your experience work, as well.

In the first column, list the main points or key experiences. These points can include anything that the author or speaker treated with importance as well as any specific details you found to be important. Divide each point into its own separate row.
In the second column, list your personal response to the points you brought up in the first column. Mention how your subjective values, experiences, and beliefs influence your response.
In the third and last column, describe how much of your personal response to share in your reflection paper.

Step 4 Ask yourself questions to guide your response.

Does the reading, lecture, or experience challenge you socially, culturally, emotionally, or theologically? If so, where and how? Why does it bother you or catch your attention?
Has the reading, lecture, or experience changed your way of thinking? Did it conflict with beliefs you held previously, and what evidence did it provide you with in order to change your thought process on the topic?
Does the reading, lecture, or experience leave you with any questions? Were these questions ones you had previously or ones you developed only after finishing?
Did the author, speaker, or those involved in the experience fail to address any important issues? Could a certain fact or idea have dramatically changed the impact or conclusion of the reading, lecture, or experience?
How do the issues or ideas brought up in this reading, lecture, or experience mesh with past experiences or readings? Do the ideas contradict or support each other?

Verify whether or not your instructor specified a word count for the paper instead of merely following this average.
If your instructor demands a word count outside of this range, meet your instructor's requirements.

For a reading or lecture, indicate what you expected based on the title, abstract, or introduction.
For an experience, indicate what you expected based on prior knowledge provided by similar experiences or information from others.

This is essentially a brief explanation of whether or not your expectations were met.
A thesis provides focus and cohesion for your reflection paper.
You could structure a reflection thesis along the following lines: “From this reading/experience, I learned...”

Step 4 Explain your conclusions in the body.

Your conclusions must be explained. You should provide details on how you arrived at those conclusions using logic and concrete details.
The focus of the paper is not a summary of the text, but you still need to draw concrete, specific details from the text or experience in order to provide context for your conclusions.
Write a separate paragraph for each conclusion or idea you developed.
Each paragraph should have its own topic sentence. This topic sentence should clearly identify your major points, conclusions, or understandings.

The conclusions or understandings explained in your body paragraphs should support your overall conclusion. One or two may conflict, but the majority should support your final conclusion.

If you feel uncomfortable about a personal issue that affects the conclusions you reached, it is wisest not to include personal details about it.
If a certain issue is unavoidable but you feel uncomfortable revealing your personal experiences or feelings regarding it, write about the issue in more general terms. Identify the issue itself and indicate concerns you have professionally or academically.

Step 2 Maintain a professional or academic tone.

Avoid dragging someone else down in your writing. If a particular person made the experience you are reflecting on difficult, unpleasant, or uncomfortable, you must still maintain a level of detachment as you describe that person's influence. Instead of stating something like, “Bob was such a rude jerk,” say something more along the lines of, “One man was abrupt and spoke harshly, making me feel as though I was not welcome there.” Describe the actions, not the person, and frame those actions within the context of how they influenced your conclusions.
A reflection paper is one of the few pieces of academic writing in which you can get away with using the first person pronoun “I.” That said, you should still relate your subjective feelings and opinions using specific evidence to explain them. [8] X Research source
Avoid slang and always use correct spelling and grammar. Internet abbreviations like “LOL” or “OMG” are fine to use personally among friends and family, but this is still an academic paper, so you need to treat it with the grammatical respect it deserves. Do not treat it as a personal journal entry.
Check and double-check your spelling and grammar after you finish your paper.

Step 3 Review your reflection paper at the sentence level.

Keep your sentences focused. Avoid squeezing multiple ideas into one sentence.
Avoid sentence fragments. Make sure that each sentence has a subject and a verb.
Vary your sentence length. Include both simple sentences with a single subject and verb and complex sentences with multiple clauses. Doing so makes your paper sound more conversational and natural, and prevents the writing from becoming too wooden. [9] X Research source

Common transitional phrases include "for example," "for instance," "as a result," "an opposite view is," and "a different perspective is."

Step 5 Relate relevant classroom information to the experience or reading.

For instance, if reflecting on a piece of literary criticism, you could mention how your beliefs and ideas about the literary theory addressed in the article relate to what your instructor taught you about it or how it applies to prose and poetry read in class.
As another example, if reflecting on a new social experience for a sociology class, you could relate that experience to specific ideas or social patterns discussed in class.

↑ https://www.csuohio.edu/writing-center/reflection-papers
↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/assignments/reflectionpaper
↑ Alicia Cook. Professional Writer. Expert Interview. 11 December 2020.
↑ https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-write-university/how-approach-any-assignment/how-write-reflection-paper
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
↑ https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/reflective-writing/reflective-essays
↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/sentencestructure

About This Article

To write a reflection paper, start with an introduction where you state any expectations you had for the reading, lesson, or experience you're reflecting on. At the end of your intro, include a thesis statement that explains how your views have changed. In the body of your essay, explain the conclusions you reached after the reading, lesson, or experience and discuss how you arrived at them. Finally, finish your paper with a succinct conclusion that explains what you've learned. To learn how to brainstorm for your paper, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Thinking Through My Lens

Reflections on Writing Poetry

My thoughts seem to have coalesced into four categories: learning from poetry, learning from writing, learning from students, and learning from blogging.

Learning from Poetry:

Learning from Writing:

Learning from Students:

Learning from Blogging:

National Honors for Brock Clarke’s Reflection on Death, Life, Pets, and Friends

When Brock Clarke’s dog Maude died he was heartbroken. “I truly loved her,” said the A. Leroy Greason Professor of English . “And that led me to think about the other dogs that I'd loved and who died, and then the people in my life who I loved and who died.”

cover image from Best American Essays 2024

This then led Clarke to think about the people he loved who were still alive and the realization that basically he wanted to write about all of them before it was too late.

The result was an essay titled "Woodstove," originally published in the magazine Five Points . The piece has been chosen to appear in the 2024 Best American Essays anthology, to be published in October 2024. “The honor means a lot,” said Clarke. “It's a very goofy, very personal piece. That it got chosen as one of the Best American Essays of the year, well, it's encouraging, to say the least!”

The eponymous woodstove Clarke refers to is the one in the basement of the rural, upstate New York house he grew up in, and where “it was cold all the time.” In the essay he recalled how his father obsessed, among other things, over the constant effort of trying to keep the house warm.

At one point in the essay, he describes how his father placed the frozen corpse of Buffy, the family’s pet cocker spaniel who had died outside of natural causes, in front of the woodstove to thaw out. Clarke, who teaches classes on different forms of creative writing, said he chose the title “because the woodstove, like the essay, like art in general, is just one of many things that can't bring the dead back to life.”

Clarke's most recent book is I, Grape; or The Case for Fiction ( Acre Books, 2021), a collection of fifteen pieces, all written by Clarke over the course of about twenty years. Read more .

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A Reflection on English 2266: Writing of Poetry I

I enrolled in ENGLISH 2266: Writing of Poetry I for this SP17 semester after researching the Creative Writing minor. I knew I wanted to take a creative writing class sometime during my college years, but I wasn’t sure how I would go about fitting it into my schedule. When I discovered the Creative Writing minor, I immediately jumped at the chance to complete it.

The Creative Writing minor requires the student to explore two different genres within the three available in the creative writing program: nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. In order to complete the minor, the student must take two courses for each of the two genres chosen, adding up to be a total of four classes.

Enrolling in ENGLISH 2266 was my first step into the world of creative writing at OSU, and let me tell you: I was beyond excited. I had loved writing since I was a child, and had briefly taken a summer creative writing course during high school, but never one that focused on poetry. I was, quite literally, bouncing off the walls. (My roommate can vouch for that.)

My poetry professor was Babette Cieskowski. Dark haired, dark lipped, dark rimmed glasses, dark shoes. When she began speaking on the first day of class, her quirky and abundant personality flowed effortlessly into her speech and I couldn’t stop smiling. She had an energy that I knew would drive this class forward, and she was the reason why I knew I would love this class even then. She had a clearly written and fair course syllabus; every week, we would have a poetry response essay of 500 words due and in the midst of that we would have a total of 4 workshops in which we would give feedback on each other’s poems. The structure of the class was very straightforward and it was plain to see that it would be an easy A – as long as you did the work.

And that’s exactly how it was. Throughout the semester I made sure to finish the poetry responses on time each week, wrote my poems for workshops, gave feedback on my classmates’ poems, and participated in class discussions. It was simultaenously the easiest and the most enjoyable class I have ever taken so far.

As a student, this class quenched my newly awakened thirst for poetic knowledge; we read essays that discussed the importance of a certain craft (ex: imagery), we read poems that demonstrated that craft, and we were given free reign to write whatever type of poem we wanted for workshops. In my experience, it was the perfect blend of guidance and freedom for creativity that I think is crucial for a creative writing class.

As a learning poet, this class and this professor opened my eyes to what poetry really was: a form of art. I had always acknowledged it as some form of expression, but I had never truly been able to appreciate it as a writer. Before this class, I wrote poems purely for emotional release and logged them as journal entries that I refused to edit because I wanted that specific moment of myself to exist through that piece. But there was so much more that could be done that I wasn’t seeing. This course made me realize that the artistic beauty of poetry is within the poet’s use of craft; channeling one’s emotions into a carefully crafted poem that can convey the same message through different words is the amazing power of poetry.

I value the experience I had in this course because of how much it made me realize my passion for poetry. I knew going into the course that I appreciated poetry, but I didn’t understand the artistry that went along with it. In other words, the things about crafting poems that I learned in this course allowed me not only to become a better poet, but to gain a greater appreciation for others’ poems.

The following is one of the poems I submitted for workshop during this course. I revised it for my final portfolio in the class, and therefore this is my second draft. It is a little taste of what this class allowed me to accomplish:

exploration date Revision-1ch160a

WATCH: FBI Director Wray testifies on investigation into attempted assassination of Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — The gunman in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump is believed to have done a Google search one week before the shooting of “How far away was Oswald from Kennedy?” FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday, revealing new details about a suspect he said had taken a keen interest in public figures but had otherwise not left behind clear clues of an ideological motive.

Watch Wray’s remarks in the player above.

The July 6 online search, recovered from a laptop tied to 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, is a reference to Lee Harvey Oswald, the shooter who killed President John F. Kennedy from a sniper’s perch in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

“That’s a search obviously that is significant in terms of his state of mind. That is the same day that it appears that he registered” for the Trump rally scheduled for July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, Wray told the House Judiciary Committee.

The FBI is investigating the shooting, which killed one rallygoer and seriously injured two others, as an act of domestic terrorism. Crooks was killed by a Secret Service countersniper. The investigation has thrust the bureau into a political maelstrom months before the presidential election, with lawmakers and the public pressing for details about what may have motivated Crooks in the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.

READ MORE: Secret Service director says ‘we failed’ during congressional hearing after Trump assassination attempt

The agency has built out a detailed timeline of Crooks’ movements and online activity, but the precise motive — or why Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, was singled out — remains elusive, Wray said.

“In terms of what we’ve been able to find so far, a lot of the usual repositories of information have not yielded anything notable in terms of motive or ideology,” Wray said.

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The FBI’s assessment continues to be that Crooks acted alone, though agents are still investigating.

Wray noted that Crooks had grown interested in public officials — besides Trump, Crooks also had photos on his phone of Democratic President Joe Biden and other prominent figures — and in the days before the shooting had appeared particularly consumed by Trump and the Butler rally.

Crooks is believed to have visited the rally site a week before the event, staying for about 20 minutes, and then returned on the morning of July 13. More than two hours before the shooting, Wray said, Crooks flew a drone about 200 yards from the rally stage for about 11 minutes, using the device to livestream and watch footage and obtain what Wray said would have been a “rearview mirror” of the scene behind him.

The use of the drone, which along with a controller were recovered from Crooks’ car, so close to the rally site just hours before Trump took the stage add to the questions about the security lapses that preceded the shooting.

On the afternoon of the rally, Crooks attracted law enforcement scrutiny because of odd behavior around the edges of the event, including shouldering a backpack and peering into the lens of a range finder toward the rooftops behind the stage where Trump would stand within the hour.

Using what Wray said was mechanical equipment on the ground and vertical piping, Crooks was able to hoist himself up onto the roof of a squat manufacturing building that was within 135 meters (157 yards) of the stage. Crooks fired eight shots from an AR-style rifle before he was killed. (The Warren Commission report that analyzed the Kennedy assassination assessed that Kennedy had been shot through the neck at a range of 174.9 feet to 190.8 feet, or about 53.3 meters to 58.1 meters.)

The FBI thinks Crooks may have managed to avoid detection in the crowd despite being armed because his weapon had a collapsible folding stock, Wray said.

Wray pledged to lawmakers that the FBI would “leave no stone unturned” in its investigation.

“I have been saying for some time now that we are living in an elevated threat environment, and tragically the Butler County assassination attempt is another example — a particularly heinous and very public one — of what I have been talking about,” Wray said.

The hearing had been schedule well before the shooting as part of the committee’s routine oversight of the FBI and the Justice Department. Questions about the shooting dominated the session, but other topics included the FBI’s diversity efforts, election interference and the Jan 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Though the FBI so far has avoided the same level of scrutiny over the shooting directed at the Secret Service over security failures, culminating Tuesday in the resignation of Kimberly Cheatle as the agency’s director, Wray was not able to entirely avoid the antagonistic questions he typically receives from the Republican-led committee.

That’s a reflection of the lingering perception among some GOP lawmakers that the FBI and Justice Department in the Biden administration have become politicized against Trump — something Wray has consistently denied.

That sentiment was made clear early in the hearing when the committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told Wray: “I’m sure you understand that a significant portion of the country has a healthy skepticism regarding the FBI’s ability to conduct a fair, honest, open and transparent investigation.”

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Poems / Reflective Poems - The best poetry on the web

How to write a poem about reflective.

Initiate with a vivid depiction, painting a profound and tangible scene that captivates the reader's senses and transports them into the poem's realm.
Explore your subject matter, introspectively examining its essence and unraveling its various facets. Delve into emotions, experiences, and insights, weaving them together into a coherent narrative.
Employ poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and allusions to enhance the depth and resonance of your work. These tools allow you to transcend literal descriptions and create evocative imagery that lingers in the reader's mind.
Consider the rhythm, flow, and musicality of your words. Craft lines that are both pleasing to the ear and reflect the emotional undertones of your subject matter.
Conclude with an element of surprise, a twist, or an "ah-ha" moment. Leave the reader with a lasting impression, a sense of enlightenment or a provocation that encourages further contemplation.

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The Seine may determine athletes’ success at the Paris Olympics

Yet the river plays an even more vital role in the culture and economy of the city

The Eiffel Tower is seen from the water of the Seine River

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“I was born on a boat,” says Jacky Delannoy, a 66-year-old captain, standing on the bridge of a container ship moored to the Paris dock. “My Mum couldn’t get ashore in time, so I was born aboard.” The fourth generation of bargemen in his family, Mr Delannoy is at the helm of a 135-metre-long container ship, longer than a football pitch. Part of a fleet belonging to Sogestran, a logistics firm, it journeys each day up and down the Seine between Paris and Le Havre, a port on the Atlantic coast. Heading downstream, the ship’s hotch-potch containers carry cars, cement, champagne , furniture, wine and more.

During the opening ceremony of the Olympic games on July 26th, the spectacle will require no manufactured decor; the athletes no unnatural parade route. The Seine will be the stage, Paris the enchanting backdrop. The river, winding its way 777km from a plateau in Burgundy (of which 13km flow through Paris), will carry national teams aboard a flotilla of boats—past bridges, monuments and cobbled quaysides that lend the French capital its charisma. Later hundreds of athletes will plunge into the river for both triathlon and swimming races.

The Seine has long lapped at the imaginations of film-makers, painters, poets and writers. In his poem “Le Pont Mirabeau” (“The Mirabeau Bridge”) Guillaume Apollinaire compares the movement of the Seine to time and past love. Often the river is seen as a woman: “la” Seine in French, an enchantress or seducer. Many writers treat it as the essence of Paris. In “The Masterpiece”, a novel published in 1886, Emile Zola describes the “soul of the great city, rising from the waters”, which “wrapped” the lovers in his novel, Claude and Christine, in tenderness.

The dark murky depths of the Seine, and the cobbled quays that pass under its shadowy bridges, evoke concern, too. In “Under Paris”, a new thriller streaming on Netflix, killer sharks that have bred in the catacombs escape to feast on triathlon swimmers in the river. (Real-life contestants will not want to watch it before they compete; the Seine’s water quality is enough cause for fear.)

Everyone who has heard of Paris knows the Seine, but not everyone is aware that it is also a working river. Albert Marquet, an early 20th-century French artist, painted barges filled with coal, wood and wine moored along the Paris quays. Before the second world war, over three times more goods were transported along the Seine than is the case today. But the flow is still impressive: in 2023 18m tonnes of goods made their way by the river.

In recent years Paris has been at the forefront of trying to rethink city transport and coax drivers off the roads. Yet the Seine often gets overlooked in that endeavour. For all the vessels that chug their way along the river, it could bear many more, and the city could be greener for it, says Stéphane Raison, director of Haropa, a firm that links the ports of Paris, Rouen and Le Havre; he thinks it is possible “to create a green corridor” along the river.

Upstream, in the shadow of the modernist Ministry of Finance, the Port de Bercy and its former warehouses were once the country’s wine-distribution centre. Today the dock at Bercy is mostly quiet; the wine trade packed up half a century ago. A couple of skateboarders practise kick-turns under a nearby bridge. Yet, on the quayside, a row of vans await the delivery of crates of pre-prepared IKEA orders—flat-packs, rugs, kitchen sinks, armchairs—which arrive by barge at 5am each morning. “Your package has been on a cruise!” announces an IKEA advertisement. Since 2022 the Swedish furniture giant has been ferrying online orders there by river, and onwards by electric vehicle for home delivery in Paris.

Different users of the River Seine today, though, collide in their expectations. The City of Light draws tourists seeking to conjure romance and delight from unspoilt views. Too many hulking cargo barges, motoring at a fair clip past Notre Dame or under the Pont des Arts, may intrude. On a recent weekday, one ran aground off the Ile Saint-Louis, mobilising a flotilla of river-police boats, divers and a fire brigade. An ambitious expansion of river trade could pit culture against commerce, aesthetics against function, environmental conservation against economic renewal.

Green but not clean

This is partly a debate about how the river looks, and who can use its banks. Downstream, at Gennevilliers, on the capital’s north-western outskirts, the Port de Paris is a vast, humming six-basin port run by Haropa. Approached from the river, it is largely hidden behind banks of reeds and grasses. But in the face of fresh demands, the smaller docks that abruptly punctuate the central Paris riverscape are having to plant saplings and widen access at weekends. Joggers, walkers and cyclists, as well as evening revellers, have recolonised the quays of Paris, where cars once sped along expressways.

It is also a matter of the water’s past use. Pollution from industrial activity has left a dirty legacy. Swimming in the Seine has been banned since 1923. More important, during heavy rainfall, overflowing creaky old sewage systems that spill human faecal matter into the river have, until this year, rendered the Seine untouchable. Despite a clean-up effort, in 2023 the city had to cancel various swimming trials due to unsafe levels of E. coli and other bacteria. According to World Triathlon, a governing body, swimmers can take part only if the level of E. coli does not exceed 900 colony-forming units per 100ml.

Water tested as recently as early July in the Seine showed levels higher than this. But the races are due to go ahead as planned. This is mainly thanks to recent clement weather and the construction of an immense underground overflow wastewater storage basin in eastern Paris that started operating in May, part of a broader effort to make the river swimmable, at a cost of over €1.4bn ($1.5bn).

Over the centuries the Seine has stirred the heart, inspired the imagination and repelled invaders; it has been fortified, channelled, embanked. Despite barrages, it still floods, bringing debris swirling along its course. The Seine is “an elusive companion”, writes Elaine Sciolino, in a book about the river. Shimmering at night, it turns by day from “molasses to pewter, from emerald to celadon”. Today the river represents perhaps above all an effort to help the city breathe. Even the fish are back. Recently 32 species have been logged, including eel, trout, roach, pike and catfish, up from just three in the 1970s.

Downstream from the Paris docks, brutalist concrete towers give way to wooded banks. Captain Delannoy navigates his container ship towards the lock at Chatou, past cormorants and swans, houseboats and parks. Curious passers-by on the riverbank stop to watch. Once the captain briefly tried the land-borne life, but could not adjust. The Seine, for him, is “freedom”. And there is space for everyone on it, he thinks. “Water,” he says, “is life.” ■

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “The river runs through it”

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Thesis Statement for Personal Essay

Thesis statement generator for personal essay.

Personal essays are intimate reflections, weaving together narratives and insights to deliver profound messages. Central to these essays is the thesis statement — a guiding beacon that directs the narrative and offers clarity to readers. Crafting a resonant thesis for a personal essay requires introspection and a deep understanding of one’s own journey. This guide will illuminate the path to writing compelling thesis statements for personal essays, complete with examples and expert tips.

What is a Personal Essay Thesis Statement? – Definition:

A personal essay thesis statement is a concise expression of the central theme or primary insight of the essay. Unlike thesis statements in more formal academic papers, a personal essay’s thesis often captures an emotion, lesson learned, or a core truth about the writer’s experience. It provides readers with a glimpse into the essence of the writer’s story and sets the stage for the unfolding narrative.

What is the Best Thesis Statement Example for Personal Essay?

While the “best” thesis statement for a personal essay would depend on the specific topic and the individual’s experience, here’s a general example:

“Through the winding journey of self-discovery amidst challenges, I realized that embracing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to the strength of the human spirit.”

This final thesis statement encapsulates a personal insight while hinting at a narrative of challenges and self-discovery, drawing readers into the essay’s deeper exploration of the topic.

100 Thesis Statement Examples for Personal Essay

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Personal essays are windows into the author’s soul, glimpses of moments, lessons, and reflections that have shaped their journey. The good thesis statement in these essays is more than just a mere statement; it’s the heartbeat of the narrative, encapsulating the essence of the tale and the wisdom gleaned from it. Let’s explore a collection of thesis statements, each weaving its unique tapestry of human experience.

“The echoes of my grandmother’s stories taught me the power of legacy and the importance of preserving memory.”
“Navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence, I discovered the anchoring power of self-acceptance.”
“In the silent corridors of grief, I unearthed the profound strength that lies in vulnerability.”
“The tapestry of my multicultural upbringing illustrated the beauty of diversity and the bridges it can build.”
“Amid the cacophony of urban life, the serenity of nature became my sanctuary and muse.”
“Love, in its many shades, revealed to me that it is more about giving than receiving.”
“Facing the monolith of failure, I realized it’s but a stepping stone to success.”
“The journey from solitude to loneliness taught me the invaluable nature of genuine connections.”
“Chasing dreams on the canvas of a starlit sky, I learned that ambition has its roots in passion, not just success.”
“The silent conversations with my reflection taught me the transformative power of self-love.”
“In the crossroads of life’s decisions, I discovered that intuition often holds the compass to our true north.”
“The rhythms of dance became my language, translating emotions words often couldn’t capture.”
“Wandering through foreign lands, I understood that home isn’t a place but a feeling.”
“The unraveling of old beliefs led me to the mosaic of perspectives that color the world.”
“In the realm of dreams, I grasped the significance of perseverance and the magic of belief.”
“As seasons changed, so did my understanding of the impermanence of life and the beauty it holds.”
“The melodies of my mother’s lullabies became the soundtrack of my resilience and hope.”
“In the pages of forgotten diaries, I retraced the evolution of my thoughts and the depth of my growth.”
“The culinary adventures in my grandmother’s kitchen were lessons in love, tradition, and the art of giving.”
“Amidst life’s cacophony, the whispering pages of books became my escape and my anchor.”
“Through the lens of my camera, I captured the transient nature of moments and the eternity they hold.”
“The mosaic of friendships over the years showcased the fluidity of human connections and their timeless essence.”
“Under the shade of ancient trees, I learned patience, growth, and the cycles of life.”
“The footprints on sandy shores traced my journey of introspection and the tides of change.”
“In the embrace of twilight, I unraveled the beauty of endings and the promises they carry.”
“From handwritten letters, I unearthed the magic of words and the bridges they create across distances.”
“The undulating paths of mountain hikes mirrored life’s ups and downs, teaching me resilience and wonder.”
“Within the hallowed halls of museums, I discovered humanity’s quest for expression and the stories etched in time.”
“The serendipities of chance encounters taught me the universe’s uncanny ability to weave tales of connection.”
“In the garden’s bloom and wither, I saw life’s ephemeral nature and the rebirth that follows decay”
“The tapestry of city sounds became my symphony, teaching me to find harmony in chaos.”
“Between the pages of my journal, I discovered the transformative power of reflection and the stories we tell ourselves.”
“In the heartbeats of quiet moments, I recognized the profound value of stillness in a world constantly in motion.”
“Through the myriad hues of sunsets, I learned that endings can be beautiful beginnings in disguise.”
“The labyrinth of memories illuminated the idea that our past shapes us, but doesn’t define us.”
“The first brush strokes on a blank canvas taught me the courage to start and the potential of the unknown.”
“In the aroma of rain-kissed earth, I found the connection between nature’s simplicity and life’s profound moments.”
“The gentle tug of ocean waves mirrored the ebb and flow of emotions and the healing power of letting go.”
“Amidst the ruins of ancient civilizations, I grasped the timeless human desire to leave a mark and be remembered.”
“The resonance of old songs brought back memories, revealing how art transcends time, reminding us of who we were.”
“In the mirror of my parents’ aging faces, I saw the passage of time and the stories etched in every wrinkle.”
“The spontaneity of impromptu road trips unveiled the joy of unplanned adventures and the paths less traveled.”
“The aroma of childhood meals evoked memories, teaching me that senses can be portals to the past.”
“From the heights of skydiving, I felt the exhilarating blend of fear, freedom, and the joy of being alive.”
“In the cadence of poetry, I learned the power of words to heal, inspire, and transport to different realms.”
“The play of shadows and light during an eclipse taught me about life’s dualities and the balance they bring.”
“The laughter and tears shared with friends showcased the depth of human connection and the shared threads of our stories.”
“Amidst the solitude of silent retreats, I discovered the voice within and the wisdom it holds.”
“Through the changing vistas of train journeys, I realized life is less about destinations and more about the journey.”
“The cycles of the moon became my reflection on the phases of life and the beauty in its transitions.
“In the silent flight of a butterfly, I witnessed the delicate dance of change and the beauty of metamorphosis.”
“The melodies of street musicians became my muse, illustrating the universal language of passion and art.”
“Within the pages of fairy tales, I unraveled deeper truths about hope, bravery, and the magic within us all.”
“The fragility of a snowflake mirrored the fleeting moments of life, urging me to cherish each one.”
“Through the lens of history, I understood the cyclical nature of time and the lessons it persistently offers.”
“Amid the vastness of deserts, I felt the weight of solitude and the freedom it silently gifts.”
“In the embrace of night’s silence, I learned to listen to my inner voice, undistracted by the day’s clamor.”
“The ritual of morning coffee became a meditation, teaching me to find joy in simple routines and moments.”
“The constellation of stars in the night sky showed me the beauty of small lights in vast darkness.”
“In the hustle of marketplaces, I perceived the intricate dance of life, commerce, and shared human experience.”
“The whispers of old trees carried tales of time, resilience, and the secrets of unwavering growth.”
“From the peaks of mountains, I felt the world’s vastness and my tiny yet significant place within it.”
“The riddles of childhood games taught me the joys of curiosity and the journey of seeking answers.”
“The seasons’ rhythmic dance became my muse, reflecting life’s constant change and the beauty in every phase.”
“In the flicker of candle flames, I felt the warmth of hope and the luminescence of undying spirit.”
“The ever-expanding universe became a metaphor for boundless possibilities and the mysteries yet to be unraveled.”
“The resonance of church bells reminded me of the call to introspect and find solace within.”
“The chorus of chirping birds at dawn became an ode to new beginnings and the melodies of nature.”
“In the winding paths of forests, I discovered life’s unexpected turns and the revelations they bring.”
“The myriad hues of a painter’s palette echoed the diversity of human emotions and the art of expressing them.
“Beneath the veil of city lights, I discerned the contrast between loneliness in crowds and solace in solitude.”
“In the ripples of a serene pond, I realized that even the smallest of actions can have far-reaching effects.”
“The ballet of autumn leaves taught me about graceful endings and the promise of rebirth.”
“From the labyrinths of ancient libraries, I uncovered the timelessness of knowledge and human quest for understanding.”
“Through the whispers of midnight winds, I felt the comforting presence of the unseen and the mysteries of the night.”
“In the patchwork quilt passed down generations, I recognized the warmth of stories and the fabric of shared memories.”
“The ascent and descent of tides taught me about life’s cyclical nature and the inevitability of change.”
“Amidst the aroma of old bookstores, I discovered portals to different worlds and the eternal allure of stories.”
“In the footprints on a snowy path, I saw the transient nature of moments and the lasting impressions they leave.”
“The harmonies of a choir became an emblem of unity, diversity, and the beauty of voices coming together.”
“The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly illuminated the wonders of change and the potential within us all.”
“From the symphony of city streets, I deduced that every individual has a story, waiting to be told.”
“The unfurling of a rosebud spoke of patience, time, and the elegance in gradual blooming.”
“In the dance of shadows during twilight, I grasped the interplay between light and dark in our lives.”
“The handwritten notes in the margins of used books unveiled strangers’ thoughts and the universality of human reflections.”
“Amidst the patterns of falling rain, I perceived nature’s rhythm and the cleansing it offers.”
“The voyage across seas showed me the vastness of the world and the adventure of discovering uncharted territories.”
“The warmth of a fireplace in winter became a symbol of comfort, home, and the gentle embrace of memories.”
“Through the kaleidoscope of festivals, I appreciated the richness of traditions and the unity they foster.”
“The arcs of rainbows painted the sky with hope, reminding me of the beauty after storms and the treasures of optimism.
“In the tapestry of a spider’s web, I witnessed the marvel of intricate designs and the beauty in nature’s craftsmanship.”
“Through the rhythms of folk dances, I felt the heartbeat of cultures and the stories they carry through generations.”
“In the embrace of a mother’s lullaby, I rediscovered the profound connection of roots and the safety of unconditional love.”
“The alchemy of turning clay into pottery taught me about the transformative power of touch and the art of creation.”
“Amid the grandeur of cathedrals, I sensed the union of devotion, art, and the timeless quest for meaning.”
“In the migrations of birds, I observed the marvels of nature, the journey of seasons, and the allure of homecomings.”
“The flavors of grandmother’s recipes held the essence of traditions, stories, and the magic of hands that tell tales.”
“Through the reflections in a tranquil lake, I grasped the duality of reality and the depths beneath calm surfaces.”
“In the footsteps across deserts, I felt the perseverance of souls and the vastness of life’s journeys.”
“The fluttering pages of an old diary brought me back to past selves, the continuum of growth, and the chapters yet unwritten.”

Every one of these thesis statements serves as a unique prism, refracting the singular experiences of life into universally relatable insights. They beckon readers to delve deeper, to embark on introspective voyages, and to resonate with the emotions, memories, and discoveries that are so innately human. Personal essays anchored by such profound statements become more than mere stories; they evolve into shared chronicles of the human spirit, its challenges, joys, and ever-evolving wisdom. You should also take a look at our concise thesis statement .

How do you write a thesis statement for a personal essay? – Step by Step Guide

Understand the Topic (if given): Before you begin, thoroughly read and understand the essay topic, if provided. This will guide your reflection and thought process.
Reflect on Your Subject: Think deeply about your experiences, feelings, and insights. Identify what story or perspective you want to share.
Pinpoint the Central Theme: Decide on the main idea or lesson from your reflection. What message or insight do you want your readers to take away?
Be Specific: Instead of being broad or general, delve into a particular incident, emotion, or realization that epitomizes the theme.
Draft a Statement: Begin writing your thesis. This should be a concise sentence that encapsulates the essence of your essay.
Revisit and Refine: As you progress in your essay, revisit your thesis. Ensure it aligns with your narrative and make any necessary refinements.
Seek Feedback: Share your thesis with peers or mentors. Fresh perspectives can offer invaluable insights or suggestions.

Is there a thesis in a personal essay?

Yes, there typically is a thesis in a personal essay, but it might not be as direct or argumentative as in other types of essays. Instead, the thesis in a personal essay is a central idea or theme that the writer intends to convey. It serves as an anchor, guiding the narrative and ensuring that readers understand the core message or insight of the piece.

How do you start a personal thesis statement?

Begin with a Bang: Start with a striking statement or a profound realization that encapsulates your story.
Use Vivid Imagery: Paint a picture with words to immediately engage your readers.
Pose a Question: Starting with a reflective or rhetorical question can provoke thought and pull readers in.
Relate to a Universal Theme: Touch on a theme that many can resonate with, such as love, loss, growth, or transformation.

Tips for Writing a Personal Essay Thesis Statement

Stay Authentic: Your personal essay is your story. Ensure your thesis reflects your genuine emotions, experiences, and insights.
Keep it Concise: A thesis should be clear and succinct, capturing the essence of your narrative in one or two sentences.
Avoid Clichés: Steer clear of overused phrases or generalizations. Your thesis should be unique to your story and perspective.
Maintain Coherence: As you draft your essay, ensure every part of your narrative aligns with and supports your thesis.
Engage Emotionally: While a thesis should be clear and direct, it should also evoke emotion or curiosity, compelling readers to explore the rest of your essay.
Revise: As with any part of writing, don’t hesitate to revise your thesis as you refine your essay, ensuring it remains the best reflection of your narrative.

Remember, the thesis of your personal essay is the heart of your narrative. It’s the essence of your story and the message you want to share with the world. Crafting it with care will set the tone for the entire essay and guide your readers on the journey you wish to take them on

Text prompt

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Write a Thesis Statement for Personal Essay on the search for identity in a multicultural society.

Create a Thesis Statement for Personal Essay about the influence of art on personal development.

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Poetry Reflection Form by Mrs Renz Class
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(PDF) Poetry as Reflective Writing
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COMMENTS

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How to Write a Poetry Essay (Complete Guide)

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How to Write a Poetry Essay

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How to write a poetry essay

Choose a poem

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Understand the poem

Write a catchy introduction

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Thesis statement for poetry essays

Why is the thesis important for a poetry essay?

Poetry essasy thesis statement example

Analyze language and imagery

Language and imagery analysis example

Discuss themes in body paragraphs

Poetry essay body paragraphs example

Provide evidence from the poem

Providing evidence example

Write a conclusion

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Proofread and revise your essay

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.css-1txxx8u{overflow:hidden;max-height:81px;text-indent:0px;} How AI and immersive technology will personalise learning

Step 1: Take the ‘Descriptions’, ‘Feelings’ and ‘Evaluation’ and write them side by side

Step 2: Look for a rhythm

Step 3: Fill in gaps using the rest of your reflections

Step 4: Edit the poem so that it is true to your experience

How AI and immersive technology will personalise learning

How To Conclude A Poetry Essay

Background Information

Exploring Structure

Exploring Imagery

Exploring Language

Analyzing Meaning

Providing Context

Providing Interpretation

Developing A Thesis

Exploring Themes

Exploring Tone