Hanlon/English
Poem Response
Worth: 20 points
Due: Friday, June 3 and June 10
Over the next two weeks we will be looking closely at the genre of poetry. In order to
practice responding to poetry in writing, you will responds to two poems of your choice.
You will be able to choose a poem from a packet provided. Below are the expectations.
Directions: Read the poem first to enjoy it. Read it straight through, preferably aloud.
Then read it again (and again), looking for any of the following literary devices or
features. Use the guidelines “How to Read a Poem”.

Language: tone, style, diction (word choice)
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Conventions: punctuation, grammar, poetic forms

Devices: imagery, metaphor, symbols, repetition, and more

Design: structure, organization of content (e.g., stanzas, past to present)
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Themes: ideas that run throughout the poem

Connections: How might this relate to other literature we have read this year?

Purpose: Is the poet trying to explain? Define? Persuade? What, why, and how do
they do this?
The front of the poem (turn this in) must show evidence of close reading—for example,
underlined words, comments, questions, connections, suspected patterns. Your written
response (typed, double-spaced, separate paper) should be two perfectly written
paragraphs (not a loosely written journal-type response) with a clear assertion or thesis,
supporting details, and examples or quotations from the poem. Your paragraph must
include quotations from the poem. These quotations must be embedded, not left to stand
alone.
Some keep the Sabbath going to church;
I keep it staying at home,
With a bobolink for a chorister,
And an orchard for a dome.
Some keep the Sabbath in surplice;
I just wear my wings,
And instead of tolling the bell for church,
Our little secton sings.
God preaches, --a noted clergyman,-And the sermon is never long;
So instead of getting to heaven at last, I’m going all along!
---Emily Dickinson
More Specific Guidelines and Examples:
Include title of poem/poet and thesis statement:
Ex: In her poem, “Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church”, Emily Dickinson
presents the controversial issue that she could find God in nature.
Expand on the idea in your thesis statement by explaining what this idea might mean,
how readers might react to it, or how the poet develops the ideas.
Ex: But, Dickinson does not criticize others who attend church. She simply says
that it’s not for her.
Explain the mood or tone of the poem; provide two or three examples of phrases or words
that show mood.
Describe the elements/devices (rhyme, rhythm, metaphor, etc) and how these contribute
to the mood or tone of the poem.
Ex: The light-hearted rhyme keeps the mood humorous and less serious.
Explain what the poem communicates and use quotes to support your ideas:
Ex: In lines three and four, she says that she has a “bobolink for a chorister and
an orchard for a dome.” That is, she has a bird that sings for her instead of a choir and
her apple orchard takes the place of the church.
Conclude your response by restating the thesis and including your own personal response
to the poem.
Ex: Emily Dickinson was quite a revolutionary and a woman ahead of her time.
Not as many people attend church these days. Her poem may seem humorous but it is
certainly a serious subject.