Posted: March 5th, 2022

On Poetry

Hibbard/English
WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE
Guidelines and Pointers
General Guidelines:
Your papers should be typed (double-spaced with appropriate margins). Include
pertinent information (your name, the course, and date) in the top left-hand corner of the
first page. Insert a header so your name and page number appear on all subsequent
pages.
Students always ask (as well they should!) about length requirements for papers.
As noted in the syllabus, these analytical/interpretive papers should be around l000-1200
words in length (4-5 pages). Bear in mind, however, that I am more interested in WHAT
you write and how well you express yourself than in a precise word count. I expect you
to develop your ideas sufficiently and cover the topic you choose adequately.
Criteria for Evaluation:
Surprisingly enough, we as readers tend to agree about what makes for good
writing. We generally value and expect clarity, strong content and analysis, coherence
and logical organization, appropriate integration of sources, correct and effective use of
language (good grammar and style), and mechanical precision (spelling, punctuation and
the like). These are the chief elements I will consider as I evaluate your written work.
Some Pointers:
1. Choose a topic that responds to your interests and passions. We write best
about things we care about.
2. Once you have chosen a topic, do a bit of brainstorming. It may be helpful to
comb through the pieces of literature you are writing about with your topic in
mind, jotting down ideas, examples or specific quotes.
3. Formulate a clear thesis or controlling idea for your paper. Often your thesis
will appear in the first paragraph. In any case, we certainly should be able to
discern quickly what your topic is and what angle you’ll be taking.
4. Make sure that paragraphs follow one another logically and that you construct
transitions between your major points.
5. Support your assertions with appropriate examples from the text. It is not
enough simply to make a claim without bringing in proof. Think of yourself as
your reader’s guide!
6. Set aside enough time to revise and proofread. The good writer learns to
identify rough points in his or her own prose and rework the language until it
has just the right feel and ring to it. As you reread your work, make sure every
sentence is grammatically correct. Consult a handbook if you are uncertain
about particular grammatical rules. It is also often helpful to have a trusted
friend/editor read over and make comments on your paper before you turn it in.
If you finish a draft early enough (which should be your aim!), you could make
an appointment with a tutor in the Writing Center (in the library) who will read
through your paper and provide you with feedback.
7. Properly cite and attribute sources, consulting your MLA Handbook if you
have questions or need models.
8. Work at developing your own personal voice and writing style.
9. If you get stuck at any point, pause for a moment and relax. Grab a cup of
coffee. Go for a walk. Call a friend to talk about the issue (or something else,
just to get your mind off the issue). Read through what you have written so far,
editing and thinking of what possibilities you created for yourself.
10. Pay particular attention to the ways you begin and end your papers. Beginnings
should capture our attention. Endings should provide some kind of closure.
11. Finally, at some point before you turn your paper in, GIVE IT A TITLE! Can
we imagine a book without a title, or a person without a name? The title is the
first thing we see. It sets the mood, generates interest, and established
expectations.
12. Just remember: If YOU do not demonstrate interest in what you write, how can
you expect your reader to be interested?!
13. Very best wishes as you continue your development as a writer.