Assignment Sheet: “Richard Cory” Theme Essay
Assignment: Write an essay about the theme of “Richard Cory.”
Introduction:
1. What is this poem about?
2. Who is the speaker? Be as specific as possible.
3. Transition into the theme in the thesis.
4. Thesis: Although Richard Cory seemly had everything a man could want, he wasn’t happy. Richard Cory’s life
illustrates the theme …
Body 1
1. Topic Sentence: Richard Cory seemed to have a successful and privileged life.
2. Supporting Evidence 1: Introduce the first supporting quote(s) using meaningful context. Be sure to follow the
special quoting directions for poetry. Feel free to identify any poetic devices that would show off your
knowledge of poetry.
3. Commentary 1: Explain what the quote(s) mean(s). Interpret the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet
wants you to get of Richard Cory’s success and privileged life. Be specific.
4. Supporting Evidence 2: Introduce the second supporting quote(s) using meaningful context. Be sure to follow
the special quoting directions for poetry. Be sure to also identify any poetic devices that would show off your
knowledge of poetry.
5. Commentary 2: Explain what the quote means. Interpret the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet
wants you to get of Richard Cory’s success. Be specific.
Body 2
1. Topic Sentence: Even with all of Richard Cory’s successes, he was not happy.
2. Supporting Evidence 1: Introduce the first supporting quote(s) using meaningful context. Be sure to follow the
special quoting directions for poetry. Be sure to also identify any poetic devices that would show off your
knowledge of poetry.
3. Commentary 1: Explain what the quote(s) mean(s). Interpret the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet
wants you to get of Richard Cory’s unhappy life. Be specific.
4. Supporting Evidence 2: Introduce the second supporting quote using meaningful context. Be sure to follow the
special quoting directions for poetry. Feel free to identify any poetic devices that would show off your
knowledge of poetry.
5. Commentary 2: Explain what the quote(s) mean(s). Interpret the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet
wants you to get of Richard Cory’s unhappy life. Be specific.
Conclusion:
1. Restate the thesis in a new way.
2. Why is the theme of “Richard Cory” a timeless one?
When writing about poetry, it is necessary to “borrow” lines or words from the poem to explain what you
mean. Use quotation marks to show that you are borrowing.
General Rules about Citing Poetry
1.
When quoting 2-3 lines from a poem, use a slash "/" to show where ONE line of poetry ends and the next
begins. Put a space before and after the slash.
2.
Give the line number in parenthesis, (Line 23) or (23), after the end quotation mark if you have already
mentioned the poet and title of the poem in your writing.
Example:
In Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130,” the speaker begins immediately with an unexpectedly negative observation
about his love when he says, "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; / Coral is far more red than her lips'
red" (Lines 1-2).
3.
More than three lines of poetry should be handled as a block quotation set off from the text. Try to avoid
this at this point in time.
Who’s talking in the poem?
Do not assume that the poet is always the speaker in the poem. Poetry can be very personal, but just like a novelist, a poet can
write from other points of view. Refer to the narrator of a poem as “the speaker.”
Revision Handout
Write “yes” or “no” after each requirement. Peer Reviser:
Introduction:
1. Summary of the poem is about 2-3 sentence.
2. The writer gave a specific description of the speaker.
3. The writer transitioned into the theme in the thesis, so that the paragraph flowed from one idea to the
next.
4. The following thesis was used (with a correct thesis to finish the sentence): Although Richard Cory
seemly had everything a man could want, he wasn’t happy. Richard Cory’s life illustrates the theme …
Body 1
1. The following Topic Sentence was used: Richard Cory seemed to have a successful and privileged life.
2. Supporting Evidence 1: The first supporting quote(s) was (were) introduced using meaningful context.
3. Correct quoting of poetry was used. (Refer to your notes).
4. Commentary 1: The meaning of quote(s) was clearly written.
5. Commentary 1: The writer interpreted the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet wants you to
get of Richard Cory’s success and privileged life.
6. Commentary 1: The writer used thoughtful and specific analysis.
7. Supporting Evidence 2: The second supporting quote(s) was introduced using meaningful context.
8. Correct quoting of poetry was used. (Refer to your notes).
9. Commentary 2: The meaning of quote(s) was clearly written.
10. Commentary 2: The writer interpreted the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet wants you to
get of Richard Cory’s success and privileged life.
Body 2
1. The following Topic Sentence was used: Even with all of Richard Cory’s successes, he was not happy.
2. Supporting Evidence 1: The first supporting quote(s) was (were) introduced using meaningful context.
3. Correct quoting of poetry was used. (Refer to your notes).
4. Commentary 1: The meaning of quote(s) was clearly written.
5. Commentary 1: The writer interpreted the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet wants you to
get of Richard Cory’s unhappy, unfulfilled life.
6. Commentary 1: The writer used thoughtful and specific analysis.
7. Supporting Evidence 2: The second supporting quote(s) was introduced using meaningful context.
8. Correct quoting of poetry was used. (Refer to your notes).
9. Commentary 2: The meaning of quote(s) was clearly written.
10. Commentary 2: The writer interpreted the line(s) to clearly show the impression the poet wants you to
get of Richard Cory’s unhappy, unfulfilled life.
Conclusion:
1. The writer stated the thesis in a new way.
2. The writer intelligently discussed why the theme of “Richard Cory” is a timeless one.