Literature Foundation 2009
The first formative essay
Please write a one thousand word critical commentary on this poem.
Your essay should be typed in a word processor, and emailed to me as an attachment. It should reach me on or by Thursday November 5 2009.
You should do the following:
1. Explain the meaning of the poem, on a line by line basis, showing that you understand it. Comment on how the imagery of the poem contributes to this meaning.
2. Comment also on how any metrical irregularities contribute to the meaning of the poem.
3. Explain what kind of sonnet it is and how the verse structure (including, where appropriate, the line endings) contributes to the meaning.
Assessment
The work will be marked with close attention to the College assessment criteria, which are here. I shall be paying particular attention to Criterion 2 (Interpretation and analysis), Criterion 4 (Relevance), and Criterion 6 (Command of English). When you get the feedback for this essay you will see how you have scored with regard to each of those criteria, and how this affects your overall mark.
If you have any questions about this assignment, please email me.
