The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet

When you realize that even dense purple prose is easier to analyze.

Jane Niland
Oct 09, 2018
Rider UniversityMillennials of New Jersey
110
The 5 Stages Of Writing A Poetry Explication When You Are Not a Poet
vandamesiarikova / Flickr

Guess what I have to do this week? You guessed it, explain a poem in a paper. And while I like reading poetry, writing it and analyzing it is the worst. There are definitely people out there who disagree with me, but it's because they have the talent that I lack.

1. Denial

It can't be that hard, right? A one-page minimum shouldn't be too hard. And besides, the poem I'm doing is one of my favorites by that author, wait no, one of my favorite poems ever. "Annabel Lee." It'll be fun.

2. Anger

Wait a minute, what's all this metre nonsense? And rhythm? This doesn't even have a set rhyme scheme! I don't know anything about this, I've never been proficient in poetry, or even music! GAH!

3. Bargaining

Well, I can't change the poem now, and the alternatives aren't as great. Maybe if I just ignore that rhyming and rhythm stuff for now and focus on the literary stuff I know, it will be easier. And maybe I'll figure out why there's a weird rhyme scheme.

4. Depression

This is still quite the task... And usually once I look at these things, I never want to again, isn't that sad? But I really like this poem and I don't want that to happen. Yet... why?

5. Acceptance

I have to do this anyway, it's a part of my grade, and it's not like it's a 10-page essay or anything. Or god forbid I chose a poem with 10 stanzas or 20 lines per stanza. These things usually turn out fine, and even if they don't, I have time to bring up my grade. Just get the literary themes, the history, attempt the metre, and it'll be OK.

Yes, poetry can be daunting, but once you get the hang of at least the basics... the paper will be passable.

books lit
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University
4774
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
disney movies
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Pennsylvania State UniversityArizona State University
119118
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

University of Denver
1093
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
bucket list
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

Drexel University
784
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
finals
Student Life

10 Signs You Go To Kent State

You know you're a true Kent Stater when...

Kent State University
868
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less
kent state university

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments