Choose one or two poems by one of the following poets: Edgar Allan Poe, William Cullen
Bryant, or Phillis Wheatley. (The poem must be one of the assigned readings in your
textbook). Analyze the poem(s) thoroughly, considering aspects such as theme(s), verse
form(s), political, cultural, social, economic, religious, literary, and historical background,
and the thematic significance of important figures of speech. Remember to choose an
appropriate title and in your introduction an opening sentence and a clear thesis statement
that will attract the reader. After your discussion, be sure to “tie up” your essay with an
appropriate conclusion. Include direct quotes from the primary sources for analysis and
support. If you wrote on one of these authors in a previous paper for this class, you cannot
write on that same author again.