After choosing a poem, re-read it several times to make sure you remember and understand its finer details. In this paper you will explain what and how a poem means. Remember that the theme, for these purposes, can be understood as the moral or lesson that readers learn about their own lives from the poem. Remember to state your thesis clearly in your opening paragraph. You should steer clear of including biographical information about the poet, as that can often sidetrack you from the theme or lead you to make the error of believing the poem's speaker is the poet.
Poets often adopt different imaginative personalities to communicate their themes.
If you believe biographical information is relevant, you should quote and cite a source to support that. You should have a heading with your name, my name, the course title and section number, and the date on it. You should have the paper number and the title of your essay on a separate centered line before you begin your paper. Additionally, your last name and the page number should appear at the top right of each page, after your first page.