Poetry: Task 3
Poetry Analysis
The Task:
• First read your poem 3 times, once out loud.
• Ask yourself what the theme or message is
and how it fits in with the general idea of
how/what your poet writes.
• Ask yourself what poetic devices your poet
has chosen to use to convey his message in
this poem and why.
• Then you can begin writing your 1st paragraph:
The First Paragraph:
• Start by introducing the title of the poem and
the author’s name
• Then write a short description of what the
poem is about—mostly a literal summary, but
you may add metaphorical meaning
• Focus on two poetic devices you think the
author used to convey his message, and ask
yourself if they represent what he does in his
work in general. If so, use them.
“Oranges” by Gary Soto
• In his poem “Oranges”, American poet Gary Soto
shares the simple excitement of young love with us
through the memory of a first date. On a cold frosty
December day, the 12-year-old narrator, takes a girl to
the candy store for a bar of chocolate. Although he
does not have enough money for the chocolate his girl
chooses, the narrator is able to barter away an orange
to the sympathetic sales lady through a meaningful
meeting of eyes. Once outside again, the narrator
takes the hand of his girl, until they stop for her to
unwrap her chocolate, and him to unpeel the
remaining orange that seems to be on fire in his
hands.
Now focus on the devices and
references to transformation:
• Soto, born in 1952, often focuses his poems
around transformational moments, and brings
those moments to life through his strong use
of imagery. Simple objects often play an
important role in his poems, and are
transformed into important symbols that help
give the moment broader meaning. Through
his use of imagery and symbols in his poem
“Oranges”, Soto reminds us of what simple,
first love feels like."
Put it together……
•
In his poem “Oranges”, American poet Gary Soto shares the simple excitement of
young love with us through the memory of a first date. On a cold frosty
December day, the 12-year-old narrator, takes a girl to the candy store for a bar
of chocolate. Although he does not have enough money for the chocolate his girl
chooses, the narrator is able to barter away an orange to the sympathetic sales
lady through a meaningful meeting of eyes. Once outside again, the narrator
takes the hand of his girl, until they stop for her to unwrap her chocolate, and
him to unpeel the remaining orange that seems to be on fire in his hands. Soto,
born in 1952, often focuses his poems around transformational moments, and
brings those moments to life through his strong use of imagery. Simple objects
often play an important role in his poems, and are transformed into important
symbols that help give the moment broader meaning. Through his use of
imagery and symbols in his poem “Oranges”, Soto reminds us of what simple,
first love feels like.“
What the poems says
Themes
2 poetic devices
Next paragraph: Topic sentence about 2 poetic devices
Revisions
• Underline the title of your poem and author’s name
in your first sentence.
• Highlight the summary of the meaning of your
poem
• Underline your references to general themes your
poet uses.
• Highlight your thesis statement that names two
poetic devises your poem uses to convey its theme
of transformation.
Revisions Continued
• Pass your paragraph clockwise at your table.
• Please give comments to the paper you
receive. Let that person know if you do not
see the 4 things listed on the slide above.
• Comment on grammar if necessary
• Poem titles should be Italicized or in “Quotes”
Paragraphs #2 and #3
• Now we are set for the “meat” of the essay. Your thesis statement has
already set up your next two paragraphs:
• “Through his use of imagery and symbols in his poem “Oranges”, Soto
reminds us of what simple, first love feels like.”
• Start with a strong topic sentence that makes your first “Point”—mine
has to be about imagery. Remember to think about how to link the idea
to the theme of transformation.
• “Through its use of vivid imagery, the poem “Oranges” transforms a
simple moment in the narrator’s life, into an important right of passage
that all readers can relate to. “
• Now write your own topic Point statement!
Through its use of vivid imagery, the poem “Oranges” transforms a simple
moment in the narrator’s life, into an important right of passage that all
readers can relate to.
• Now we need to add “Evidence” from the poem.
• Soto’s simple, descriptive language paints a picture in our
minds that helps us see his moment. “December. Frost
cracking beneath my steps, my breath before me, then gone”
transports the reader to a cold winter day. As the two
characters enter a drugstore “a tiny bell” brings a saleslady
who watches as they make their choice from the candies
“tiered like bleachers”. It is a common experience that
everyone can imagine. Yet, this simple event is lifechanging—even the saleslady understands “very well what it
was all about”– and Soto helps his reader appreciate the
importance of first love……….
On to paragraph #3 on symbols…
• Now we need to write a strong topic sentence about symbols,
again trying to link its use to the idea of transformation.
• “Light is an important symbol in Soto’s poem, and the
references to it grow stronger as we see the narrator’s love
develop.”
• Now we need more evidence from the poem
Revisions
• Please highlight your topic sentences in
paragraphs 2 and 3.
• Circle your reference to transformation
• Underline 2 examples of evidence in each
paragraph
• Highlight your explanation
• Through its use of vivid imagery, the poem “Oranges”
transforms a simple moment in the narrator’s life, into an
important right of passage that all readers can relate to. Soto’s
simple, descriptive language paints a picture in our minds
that helps us see his moment. “December. Frost cracking
beneath my steps, my breath before me, then gone”
transports the reader to a cold winter day. As the two
characters enter a drugstore “a tiny bell” brings a saleslady
who watches as they make their choice from the candies
“tiered like bleachers”. It is a common experience that
everyone can imagine. Yet, this simple event is lifechanging—even the saleslady understands “very well what it
was all about”– and Soto helps his reader appreciate the
importance of first love
Revision/ Editing
• Pass your paper to a partner and have them
give you some feedback on what you have
written so far.
• Readers, make sure that you comment on
topic sentences and the quality of the
“evidence”. Did the writer explain the
importance of the quotations?
Paragraph #4
•
This paragraph will focus on your opinion of the poem. You need to decide what you would
like to talk about in the paragraph. Look over the list of ideas below, BUT only choose one or
two things you want to address. Your topic sentence should focus on what you want to talk
about.
– Evaluate the poem’s effectiveness in encouraging transformation and change.
– Do you empathize with the poet’s message? Why or why not?
– What do you find most appealing about the poem?
– Why is this poem so well known?
– How is it a transformational piece in your opinion?
The simplicity of the narrative and its focus on the universal theme of first love are what
make Soto’s poem “Oranges” so appealing. Soto helps us re-live the awkward and
unforgettable excitement of falling in love. We can see the girl’s face “bright with rouge”
and the boy whose heart leapt for joy as he “took my girl’s hand in mine for two blocks”.
We enjoy the contrast of the cold December day against the growing warmth they feel
for each other. And we want to shout out our thanks to the sales lady for not
embarrassing the boy. We love this poem because Soto pulls us in to enjoy a simple
moment that changes the lives of two young people.