Here is a template that I provided the students with to guide them.
1st paragraph - Intro about poem
Introduce in the introductory paragraph. Write the title of the poem and its author. Give a brief summary of the poem's contents and basic information about the author.
In Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” …..
Maya Angelou was born ….. and she …..
My Example: In Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” the speaker of the poem is sending a message to the world that she will not be defeated and that she will “rise.”
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928. She grew up in Arkansas. She has had many roles in her life: author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer, and civil rights activist.
2nd paragraph - Imagery from author’s words
Write about the poetic language and imagery. Does the poet use precise and vivid vocabulary to create detailed images? What literary devices are used to enhance meanings? Answer these questions by explaining and analyzing specific examples from the poem. Tell how the poet creates those images.
Maya Angelou uses … to show.....
In the poem she states …..to illustrate ….
My Example: Maya Angelou uses hyperbole and metaphors to let the reader know that she can overcome her problems and walk with her head held high.
Vocabulary: “Does my sassiness upset you?”
When she says, “You may shoot me with your words/You may cut me with your eyes” I can easily see someone looking at her that way and talking to her that way
3rd paragraph - How does the poem flow?...
Write about sound and sense. Does the poet use rhythm and meter to create meaningful sounds in the poem? Which word sounds does the poet use to create pictures? Does the poet use vocabulary that appeals to the five senses? Answer these questions by explaining in your poetry essay how the poet's choice of words creates meaningful sound.
Angelou uses …...She does this to.....
My Example: Angelou uses rhymes and repetition to achieve rhythm
She uses a ABCB rhyming pattern in her poem
She repeats “I Rise” and it is easy to feel her strength in that repeated phrase
4th paragraph - How does the poem make you feel?
Write about emotion and feeling. Is the poet creating a feeling or mood? Does the poem evoke an emotional response? Answer these questions in your poetry essay by explaining what kind of response the poet is trying to evoke in his audience.
My Example: Angelou’s poem is filled with messages of overcoming adversity whether it be people around her or her humble slavery beginnings.
Her use of rhetorical questions and … are designed to pull the reader into the poem and get them involved in her struggle and success.
5th paragraph - Conclude your essay
Write a conclusion to your poetry essay. Explain the author's intent with the poem and whether or not he or she achieved that goal. Support your opinion with details from the poem.
“Still I Rise” ….... The poem ….... She tells …..
My Example: This poem has always been a testament to Angelous’s fight against those who
opposed her and tried to hold her down. It is very inspiring because I can see myself in her struggle and subsequent success. Although I did not come from the same humble beginnings as she did I can still relate. To me this poem is dedicated to everyone and anyone who has had to face the disapproval of others and rise above it.
Introduce in the introductory paragraph. Write the title of the poem and its author. Give a brief summary of the poem's contents and basic information about the author.
In Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” …..
Maya Angelou was born ….. and she …..
My Example: In Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” the speaker of the poem is sending a message to the world that she will not be defeated and that she will “rise.”
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928. She grew up in Arkansas. She has had many roles in her life: author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer, and civil rights activist.
2nd paragraph - Imagery from author’s words
Write about the poetic language and imagery. Does the poet use precise and vivid vocabulary to create detailed images? What literary devices are used to enhance meanings? Answer these questions by explaining and analyzing specific examples from the poem. Tell how the poet creates those images.
Maya Angelou uses … to show.....
In the poem she states …..to illustrate ….
My Example: Maya Angelou uses hyperbole and metaphors to let the reader know that she can overcome her problems and walk with her head held high.
Vocabulary: “Does my sassiness upset you?”
When she says, “You may shoot me with your words/You may cut me with your eyes” I can easily see someone looking at her that way and talking to her that way
3rd paragraph - How does the poem flow?...
Write about sound and sense. Does the poet use rhythm and meter to create meaningful sounds in the poem? Which word sounds does the poet use to create pictures? Does the poet use vocabulary that appeals to the five senses? Answer these questions by explaining in your poetry essay how the poet's choice of words creates meaningful sound.
Angelou uses …...She does this to.....
My Example: Angelou uses rhymes and repetition to achieve rhythm
She uses a ABCB rhyming pattern in her poem
She repeats “I Rise” and it is easy to feel her strength in that repeated phrase
4th paragraph - How does the poem make you feel?
Write about emotion and feeling. Is the poet creating a feeling or mood? Does the poem evoke an emotional response? Answer these questions in your poetry essay by explaining what kind of response the poet is trying to evoke in his audience.
My Example: Angelou’s poem is filled with messages of overcoming adversity whether it be people around her or her humble slavery beginnings.
Her use of rhetorical questions and … are designed to pull the reader into the poem and get them involved in her struggle and success.
5th paragraph - Conclude your essay
Write a conclusion to your poetry essay. Explain the author's intent with the poem and whether or not he or she achieved that goal. Support your opinion with details from the poem.
“Still I Rise” ….... The poem ….... She tells …..
My Example: This poem has always been a testament to Angelous’s fight against those who
opposed her and tried to hold her down. It is very inspiring because I can see myself in her struggle and subsequent success. Although I did not come from the same humble beginnings as she did I can still relate. To me this poem is dedicated to everyone and anyone who has had to face the disapproval of others and rise above it.