Interpreting a poem . . .From Reading to Writing Some people say that reading a poem is like peeling an onionwith every layer you peel away, there is another underneath. At first, The Pasture by Robert Frost seems like a simple poem about chores on a farm.

Interpreting a poem . . .However, if you read it again, you may discover new meanings. Writing an interpretive RESPONSE TO LITERATURE essay means going beyond the surface to discover the deeper messages of a work. Great literature always reveals something new. Now is your chance to find it.

B a s i c s i n a B o xInterpretive RESPONSE TO LITERATURE Essay at a GlanceRUBRICSTANDARDS FOR WRITINGA successful Response to Literature essay should

identify the title and author of the workgive a clearly stated interpretation of the poems message at or near the beginning of the essaypresent examples from the poem to support the interpretationuse transitions to guide the readersummarize the interpretation in the conclusionIntroduces the literary work and includes a clear thesis statement introducing the interpretationIntroductionSummarizes the interpretationConclusion

To read a poem is to hear with our eyes; to hear it is to see it with our ears.Octavio PazpoetWriting Your Interpretive RESPONSE TO LITERATURE Essay

Go back to the poem you have studied and read it aloud. What sparked an idea or reminded you of something? What are the most interesting sound devices or imagery? Also list lines with unusual structures, powerful themes, or confusing lines.Writing Your Interpretive Response to Literature Essay

Planning Your Interpretive Response to Literature Essay1.Read the poem several times. Read it both aloud and silently to understand the full meaning.

Planning Your Response to Literature Essay2. Look at elements in the poem. To help you see how the poet communicates meaning, try making a chart that shows the sound devices, the figurative language, and the words or phrases that convey the meaning.

Planning Your Interpretive Response to Literature Essay3. Discuss your reactions to the poem. In a small group, ask each other questions and exchange ideas on reactions to the poem and ideas about different meanings.4. Decide on your focus. Look back at your chart and decide on the main message or theme of the poem. Which elements of the poem contribute most to the message?

Now it is time to put your thoughts down on paper. Include all of the observations and examples you gathered that help to make the poem effective. You can eliminate less important details later.Writing Your Interpretive ResponseTo Literature Essay

Organize Your EssayUse your introductory paragraph to identify the poem and the author and to briefly state your interpretation. For the body of your essay, decide which idea you want to present first. Then use examples to support your main points. Conclude with a summary of the meaning of the poem.Writing Your Interpretive ResponseTo Literature Essay

TARGET SKILL SUPPORTING YOUR RESPONSE WITH EXAMPLESIn your interpretation, it is not enough simply to state your point. You must tell your reader how you reached that point. You can do this by including direct quotes and other examples from the text itself. To help your readers understand, explain your thought process.Writing Your Interpretive RTL Essay

TARGET SKILL SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENTVerbs should always agree with their subjects in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb. A plural subject takes a plural verb.Writing Your Response to Literture Essay

Writing Your Response to Literature Essay