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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 University Millennials of New Jersey

110

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

vandamesiarikova / Flickr

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.

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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.

In This Article:

1. Denial

2. Anger

3. Bargaining

4. Depression

5. Acceptance

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Actually, Kylie Jenner, 2018 is the year of realizing things.

Waking Up Early in College is So Much Harder

You Have to Get Used to Walking Everywhere

Fuzzy Socks are the Cure to All Problems

Take Every Opportunity to Get Free Food

It's Okay to Gain the "Freshman Fifteen"

Invest in Vitamins and Supplements

Making Time to Clean is Essential

Drinking Water is Actually Important

Cs get degrees!

1. Me after every class

2. If you really care about your grades

3. When you get a new homework assignment

4. When people ask what you're going to do after college

5. When you see people who don't study and get good grades

6. We're all broke here

7. FREE FOOD IS FREE FOOD!

8. When it seems like everyone in class is smart - EXCEPT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR GROUP PROJECT!!

Other than knowledge and all those important things

How to take stairs.

Caffeine is your friend.

How to study.

Finding free food.

How to take a nap anywhere.

How to appreciate sleep.

How to procrastinate productively.

Surprise: This is not on the syllabus

1. As a freshman, one does get to be called “freshman” by upperclassmen when they walk to parties in a mob of people.

2. Some of the best stories happen after 2 a.m.

3. Upperclassmen live for meal swipes from freshman because they are poor and need free food.

4. People are struggling just as much as you are so you're not alone.

5. You will never take privacy or personal space for granted ever again.

6. You are not the only one who has slept on the community bathroom floor after a night out.

7. Skipping class for Netflix is a valid excuse.

8. It’s totally acceptable to bring a pot of coffee, a sleeping bag and a pillow to the library.

9. Having class with a friend is the best because you can trade off days on who goes to class.

10. When you are a senior, you take the easiest classes to boost your GPA.

11. How to pull an all-nighter.

12. How to handle drunk people.

13. The drunk you does not look out for sober you about 90 percent of the time.

14. How to deal with a hangover.

15. How to interact with people very different from you.

16. The perfect amount to procrastinate on every assignment.

17. How to pass a class without paying for the textbook that was "required."

18. How to calculate your grades to see what you need on every test in order to maintain a passing grade.

19. How to hook-up with someone without getting emotions involved (but we all know that doesn’t happen).

20. How to handle your roommate when you want to strangle them.

21. That you miss your parent’s every day.

22. How to get into a bar when you aren’t 21.

23. How to BS on assignments, out loud and on your resume.

24. That theme parties are the greatest.

25. How to find free events that have free food.

26. That when there are puppies on campus it will be the greatest day of your life.

27. Alarms are necessary and you must set like seven of them in order to wake up in time for class.

28. Greek parties are exactly how they are in movies.

29. Care packages are treated like Christmas presents.

30. The friends you meet in college will become your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

31. That printers only break when you need them the most.

32. Cereal, ramen noodles, Easy Mac and microwavable pancakes can be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

33. That classes before 8 a.m. should be illegal.

34. Changing your major is OK.

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

"You should know exactly what career is right for your future by the time you're 18."

"Save all your money."

"Get plenty of sleep and adjust to a regular sleep schedule."

"Make sure to eat healthy, balanced meals. Don't forget those fruits and vegetables."

"Surround yourself with good, moral people."

"Don't do anything stupid."

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