10th Grade Poetry – Writing a body paragraph

Note about organization: Remember, the order of your paragraphs is very important. That is why you need to decide the poetic device that you think most effectively helps develop the purpose that you discuss in your thesis statement. Once you have determined the order and gathered your details, it’s time to begin composing your paragraphs.

I. Your body paragraphs need to consist of the following:

  • Topic Sentence
  • 2-3 critical details from the poem that help support your thesis statement
  • 2 sentences for each critical detail that explains its significance to the poem.
  • Why it is an example of the poetic device
  • How it helps prove the purpose of the poem
  • Transition sentence/closing sentence that wraps up your ideas.

2. Example – “Still I Rise” – Diction/Imagery

1. Topic Sentences: Throughout her poem, Angelou uses poignant and sophisticated diction to create the image of both her oppressor and her confident personality.

2. Critical Detail #1: (For example) in the first stanza, she establishes her audience, the oppressor, by stating, “you may write me down in history/With your bitter twisted lies”(1-2).

3. Commentary #1: By stating that this person can “write [her] down in history” she creates the image of someone who is powerful enough to create the lessons taught in history classes.

4. Commentary #2: Not only does Angelou describe a person who has the power to dictate what is determined as history, but she depicts that he is a corrupt person because he has created “bitter and twisted lies” in order to maintain his power and oppress her people.

5. Critical Detail #2: To contrast the abrasive diction that is used in her description of the audience, Angelou uses playful, yet sophisticated diction to describe the speaker. For example, when describing her demeanor throughout the poem, she uses the words “haughtiness,” “sassiness” and “sexiness.”

6. Commentary #1: By using the word “haughtiness” she creates the image of a speaker who is intelligent, confident and slightly arrogant.

7. Commentary #2: The words “sassiness” and “sexiness” also create the image of a woman who is playful and fun; a woman who enjoys life and knows how make an impact on those she encounters.

8. Closing Sentence/wrap-up sentence: By contrasting the audience and the speaker, Angelou conveys that, because of her perseverance and strong personality, she has been able to withstand the efforts of her oppressor and continue to fight as a confident and feminine woman.