Children’s Poetry Analysis

Choose a children’s poem for investigation and analysis. You will find poems in the Norton text pages, in the library, or you may defer to a childhood favorite. I would, however, recommend that you choose a poem written by a more prominent author rather than some obscure choice from the internet because it will be easier to locate the necessary information if the author is well known. (Certain poems/verses will not be accepted as identified at the end of this assignment.) Please read this!

If you do not know where to start, you might begin by browsing the Norton text pages just as a way of brainstorming. Many, but not all of the anthologized poems, are classics that might be easier to research. I would also recommend selecting a good “read aloud” poem—and although you will not read this aloud in our class, nevertheless, many assignments are planned with the intent to share them with children at some point. You may, time permitting, be sharing some of this information on a discussion board after your paper’s submission. Having made a final choice, you must subsequently address the following subtopics in your paper:

Provide some background/biographical information about the author. If the author is anonymous, then explain who is believed to have composed the poem—or explain the circumstances surrounding its origins.

You will also need to answer the following questions:

—How and why was the poem written? What inspired its composition?

—What does the poem mean? What was the author’s intent?

—Is there a specific pattern or form observed? (Is the form open or closed?) Don’t just identify this. Explain it and cite in text, as necessary. (You will definitely need to do research here.)

—Are there any distinctive images?

—What appears to be the poem’s general theme?

—How or why would a child be engaged by this poem? What audience is addressed?

—How would you use/share this poem in a classroom or childcare environment?

Remember, if you need help with research, there is a Children’s Literature library link under the CCAC course pages, and you should be able to access this from home. You may also be able to email a CCAC librarian — e.g. Dennis Hennessy, among them. (I must admit, though, this is not a high-powered research assignment.)

Requirements: Please read the directions, carefully.

1. Address all of the above in an essay or report that is at least 3 pages with inch margins, double spaced, totaling 810 words minimum. Be sure to write in complete sentences and paragraphs—indicate the word count at the end which would NOT include the in text citations or Works Cited. (You MUST cite in text.)

2 You will need to use parenthetical documentation so be sure to consult your MLA style sheet, i.e. See Course Documents. Be sure to include running acknowledgments for all documented quotations and to cite any paraphrase that is not common knowledge. (Direct quotations should not comprise more than 15 percent of the paper.)

3. You will need a Works Cited of at least 4 sources though I would not advise too many more given your paper length. Two sources MUST be bona fide, reputable print or reprint sources, and all sources must have authors and titles. (A reprint is merely a reputable print source already published that has been placed on the internet.) General encyclopedias such as Britannica are not permitted. (I will accept an encyclopedia article identified as specifically titled for Children’s Literature with an author and title.) In addition, do NOT use Wikipedia, Spark, Shoop, or Cliff Notes as sources—. As with all formal written assignments, I will be using campus software to scan papers for plagiarism. You may use your Norton text as one of the 4 sources—you must cite this if you do. **Citing from the actual poem itself does not count as a source citation.**

4. You will not need a separate Works Cited page. If you wish, you may merely skip a few lines after the last paragraph and list your sources in alphabetical order.

5. You must head and paginate according to the MLA form.

6. You must also include a copy of the poem and attach this to the assignment after the last page.

7. If possible, I would not submit this assignment before you have completed the Timed Writing and, subsequently, received feedback from me. You must submit everything via Blackboard as a Word attachment.

8. Please remember to be honest! You have been permitted true freedom of choice for subject matter. Given this opportunity, the work MUST be your own.

I am repeating several reminders from above…

9. All internet sources MUST have authors and titles…e.g. NO www.poetry.com.

10. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source, but its bibliographies may prove helpful.

11. You may not use Cliff notes or general encyclopedias—a SPECIFIC reference encyclopedia related to Children’s Literature would be acceptable.

**I have used Arabic numerals throughout for clarity and consistency.

The following poems/verses will NOT be accepted:

No nursery rhymes or related verses.
No “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
No “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll.
No “My Shadow” or “The Land of Counterpane” by RLS.

If you are not sure about any selection, check with me.

You should have received the Timed Writing back before this submission. Please allow at least one week for any paper correction since an online response does require more time.

Safe Assignment Software will screen all material.

Quickly review source availability for your poem. If you cannot locate sources to meet the requirement, then simply choose another poem.