Directions
Assignment: A poetry explication of the Poem “À la recherche d’ Gertrude Stein” by Frank O’ Hara.
A poetry explication is an analytical essay that comments on a poem’s elements and possible
meanings. You will make connections between the narrative of the poem and the literary choices the poet uses to convey that narrative such as imagery, tone, rhythm and meter, and word choice. You should choose two to three areas of focus such as theme, tone, symbolism, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, or imagery, which you can show through supportive evidence. It’s up to you and what you notice when reading. You can devote each section to a specific element of focus. Remember that you need to separate the narrator of the poem from the poet, particularly if you know the poet’s identity. Do not conflate the poet’s POV and personal life with the narrator’s life.
Briefly summarize the poem’s narrative in the introduction of your essay for context. Then develop a clear thesis statement that addresses your major analysis points. Write definitive statements from a third-person POV. Don’t reference your opinions from a first-person POV with “I” statements such as “I think” or “I feel.” You also don’t want to seem arrogant with statements like “The author clearly indicates” or “It is obvious that the author…” when poems can have multiple interpretations. When you conclude your essay, briefly summarize your main points, but leave the reader with a thought-provoking note. On the other hand, you can also conclude your essay by addressing your analysis of the poem’s ending.
Don’t simply summarize or paraphrase the poem line by line or stanza by stanza.
Don’t choose an element to write about if you don’t fully comprehend it.
It’s better to underwrite and be concise than to overwrite and become unclear.
Don’t excessively quote from the poem, but do use examples to support your main points, as when writing any analysis essay.
When you do quote from the poem, cite lines in this format: (lines x-x) or (x). “X” in this example refers to the line number.
Make sure to proofread before you turn in the assignment.
Use the present tense when writing the explication. The poem, as a work of literature, continues to exist! Use present tense when making references such as “The narrator speaks to…”
To avoid unnecessary uses of the verb “to be” in your compositions, the following list suggests some verbs you can use when writing the explication:
No research
dramatizes
presents
illustrates
characterizes
underlines
asserts
posits
enacts
connects
portrays
contrasts
juxtaposes
suggests
implies
shows
addresses
emphasizes
stresses
accentuates
enables
