Interpretation

Interpretive essays analyze and create meaning out of a text—a poem, short story, or song, for example. Your interpretive essay for this class should include a brief summary—a few sentences or a paragraph that sum up the work, including a brief mention of author, title, and type of work; an interpretive thesis—a controlling theme which puts forth one, clear interpretation of the work; and support—use of quotations from the work, historical background, or other commentary that support your thesis.

Because your readers must be familiar with the text you’re analyzing, we’ll limit ourselves to poems, songs, and stories presented in class.