ExplicationExplication (of a literary work) (of a literary work)

Critical AnalysisCritical Analysis

Definition:Definition:

A poetry explication is a relatively A poetry explication is a relatively short analysis which describes the short analysis which describes the possible meanings and relationships possible meanings and relationships of the words, images, and other of the words, images, and other small units that make up a poem. small units that make up a poem. Writing an explication is an effective Writing an explication is an effective way for a reader to connect a poem's way for a reader to connect a poem's plot and conflicts with its structural plot and conflicts with its structural features. features.

Preparing to write an Preparing to write an explication:explication:

Read the poem silently, then read it aloud Read the poem silently, then read it aloud (if not in a testing situation). Repeat as (if not in a testing situation). Repeat as necessary. necessary.

Consider the poem as a dramatic situation Consider the poem as a dramatic situation in which a speaker addresses an audience in which a speaker addresses an audience or another character. In this way, begin or another character. In this way, begin your analysis by identifying and describing your analysis by identifying and describing the speaking voice or voices, the conflicts the speaking voice or voices, the conflicts or ideas, and the language used in the or ideas, and the language used in the poem. poem.

The Large Issues:The Large Issues: Determine the basic design of the poem by considering theDetermine the basic design of the poem by considering the

who, what, when, where, who, what, when, where, andand why why of the dramatic situation. of the dramatic situation. WhatWhat is being dramatized? What conflicts or themes does is being dramatized? What conflicts or themes does

the poem present, address, or question?the poem present, address, or question? WhoWho is the speaker? Define and describe the speaker and is the speaker? Define and describe the speaker and

his/her voice. What does the speaker say? Who is the his/her voice. What does the speaker say? Who is the audience? Are other characters involved?audience? Are other characters involved?

WhatWhat happens in the poem? Consider the plot or basic happens in the poem? Consider the plot or basic design of the action. How are the dramatized conflicts or design of the action. How are the dramatized conflicts or themes introduced, sustained, resolved, etc.?themes introduced, sustained, resolved, etc.?

WhenWhen does the action occur? What is the date and/or time does the action occur? What is the date and/or time of day?of day?

WhereWhere is the speaker? Describe the physical location of the is the speaker? Describe the physical location of the dramatic moment.dramatic moment.

WhyWhy does the speaker feel compelled to speak at this does the speaker feel compelled to speak at this moment? What is his/her motivation?moment? What is his/her motivation?

The Details:The Details: To analyze the design of the poem, we must focus on the poem's To analyze the design of the poem, we must focus on the poem's

parts, namely how the poem dramatizes conflicts or ideas in parts, namely how the poem dramatizes conflicts or ideas in language. By concentrating on the parts, we develop our language. By concentrating on the parts, we develop our understanding of the poem's structure, and we gather support and understanding of the poem's structure, and we gather support and evidence for our interpretations. Some of the details we should evidence for our interpretations. Some of the details we should consider include the following:consider include the following:

FormForm: Does the poem represent a particular form (sonnet, sestina, : Does the poem represent a particular form (sonnet, sestina, etc.)? Does the poem present any unique variations from the etc.)? Does the poem present any unique variations from the traditional structure of that form?traditional structure of that form?

RhetoricRhetoric: How does the speaker make particular statements? Does : How does the speaker make particular statements? Does the rhetoric seem odd in any way? Why? Consider the predicates the rhetoric seem odd in any way? Why? Consider the predicates and what they reveal about the speaker.and what they reveal about the speaker.

SyntaxSyntax: Consider the subjects, verbs, and objects of each : Consider the subjects, verbs, and objects of each statement and what these elements reveal about the speaker. Do statement and what these elements reveal about the speaker. Do any statements have convoluted or vague syntax?any statements have convoluted or vague syntax?

Vocabulary:Vocabulary: Why does the poet choose one word over another in Why does the poet choose one word over another in each line? Do any of the words have multiple or archaic meanings each line? Do any of the words have multiple or archaic meanings that add other meanings to the line? Use the that add other meanings to the line? Use the Oxford English Oxford English Dictionary Dictionary as a resource.as a resource.

The Patterns:The Patterns: As you analyze the design line by line, look for certain As you analyze the design line by line, look for certain

patterns to develop which provide insight into the dramatic patterns to develop which provide insight into the dramatic situation, the speaker's state of mind, or the poet's use of situation, the speaker's state of mind, or the poet's use of details. Some of the most common patterns include the details. Some of the most common patterns include the following:following:

Rhetorical PatternsRhetorical Patterns: Look for statements that follow the : Look for statements that follow the same format.same format.

RhymeRhyme: Consider the significance of the end words joined : Consider the significance of the end words joined by sound; in a poem with no rhymes, consider the by sound; in a poem with no rhymes, consider the importance of the end words.importance of the end words.

Patterns of SoundPatterns of Sound: Alliteration and assonance create sound : Alliteration and assonance create sound effects and often cluster significant words.effects and often cluster significant words.

Visual PatternsVisual Patterns: How does the poem look on the page?: How does the poem look on the page? Rhythm and Meter:Rhythm and Meter: Consider how rhythm and meter Consider how rhythm and meter

influence our perception of the speaker and his/her influence our perception of the speaker and his/her language.language.

Writing the Explication:Writing the Explication:

See handout!!!See handout!!!

Application of Knowledge:Application of Knowledge:

Verbal Explication of Verbal Explication of BeowulfBeowulf “Prologue”-Chapter 6 “Prologue”-Chapter 6

Essential QuestionsEssential Questions

How does fluency affect comprehension? How does fluency affect comprehension? Why do readers need to pay attention to a Why do readers need to pay attention to a

writer’s choice of words?writer’s choice of words? How does the choice of words affect the How does the choice of words affect the

message? message? How does a speaker communicate so others will How does a speaker communicate so others will

listen and understand the message?listen and understand the message? How do rules of language affect How do rules of language affect

communication?communication? How is the style of a text relative to its function? How is the style of a text relative to its function?

HOMEWORK:HOMEWORK:

Read Read BeowulfBeowulf Chapters 7-13 and Chapters 7-13 and complete Reading Logcomplete Reading Log

Study for Vocabulary Lesson #1 Unit Study for Vocabulary Lesson #1 Unit Test (2/12/10) Test (2/12/10)