'Choose two poems from your book that you will later write an essay about and make some notes on their similarities and differences.'

Question

'Choose two poems from your book that you will later write an essay about and make some notes on their similarities and differences.'

This is what I got:
I chose the poems 'I Never Saw A Moor' by Emily Dickinson and 'Kidnap Poem' by Nikki Giovanni because these two poems are very different. The tone in Dickinson's poem is solemn while Kidnap Poem is written in a funner and more easy-going way.

Now all I need to know is if they share a structural element like meter, rhyme, or free verse, and if they both use an implied or extended metaphor+ more similarities.

Thanks
-MC

Answer 1

To analyze the poems in terms of their structural elements and shared similarities, you will need to closely examine the form, meter, rhyme, and use of metaphor within each poem. Here's how you can approach it:

1. Structural Elements:
a. Form: Determine if both poems follow a specific form such as sonnet, villanelle, ballad, etc. Pay attention to the number of stanzas and lines in each poem.
b. Meter: Look for patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables to identify the meter. Some common meters include iambic pentameter, trochaic tetrameter, etc.
c. Rhyme: Determine if the poems follow a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB, AABB, ABBA, etc.) or if they are written in free verse without any consistent rhyme pattern.

2. Metaphor:
a. Implied Metaphor: Analyze the presence of implied metaphors in both poems, which are comparisons suggested but not directly stated. Look for uses of figurative language, symbols, or imagery that hint at hidden meanings.
b. Extended Metaphor: Examine if either poem incorporates an extended metaphor, where a single metaphor is extended and developed throughout the entire poem.

To find the specific information you need:
1. Read and analyze each poem carefully, focusing on the identified structural elements (form, meter, rhyme) and explore the presence of implied or extended metaphors.
2. Pay attention to the language, imagery, and symbolism used in each poem to identify any shared similarities or differences.
3. Take notes on the specific similarities and differences you observe in terms of the poems' structural elements, implied or extended metaphors, and any other notable literary devices.
4. Once you have completed the above steps, you will have the necessary information to write an essay comparing and contrasting these two poems.

Remember, close reading and detailed analysis are essential for identifying the similarities and differences between the two poems.

Answer 2

MC.... read the poems out loud... you will be able very quickly to determine if they have rhyme or beat(meter). By patting your hand while you read, you can determine what the meter is.

I am including a site on meter and an site on metaphors....I believe we talked about those a couple of days ago.

http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/meters.htm

http://knowgramming.com/metaphors/metaphor_chapters/examples.htm