AP = Answering the PromptA guide to on-demand writing

Answer the Prompt

Analyze the task at handList what is expected of youSet this as your purpose for reading

and marking the text!

Answer the Prompt

Do (skills – verbs) What (tasks – nouns)

Read the poem

Write well-organized essay

Analyze relationship between tree and family

Use figurative language and other poetic techniques

Carefully read the poem by Mary Oliver. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Oliver conveys the relationship between the tree and family* through the use of figurative language and other poetic techniques.

*Notice that this particular prompt essentially tells you the main idea of the poem…it’s a hint! And a big one at that!

Marking the Text

Now you have set your purpose for reading…what are you looking for? Figurative language and poetic devices that show

the relationship between the tree and family

Circle, underline, highlight (or whatever you like to do) these when you notice them in your reading.

You definitely need some figurative language AND at least one other poetic device

Plan the essay

Brainstorm/Outline your essay

Make sure you have a strong thesis that addresses the prompt Do not merely restate the prompt!

Make your thesis specific (tell what specific fig lang you will be analyzing)

How Oliver shows Family

and Tree bond

Symbol(Tree is family –roots in cellar, fathers in

fields)

Diction(smashing, storm, churn, leaping, bounding)

Personification(swings, bounding fruit

Imagery (blood, roots in cellar,

crawl with shame)

Develop a Thesis

Oliver develops the complexity of family relationships in her poem “The Black Walnut Tree.” She illuminates a strong bond between the tree and the family through her precise use of diction, imagery, and figurative language tools such as symbol and personification.

As you write…

Lead in to your thesis (intro is short, but attention-grabbing)

Follow your thesis as an outline

Use specific details as support and analyze how the support relates to your thesis (think core paragraph)

Use vivid, apt word choice (“things,” “interesting,” “seems,” “to me” – these are all vague)

“happy” and “sad” will not cut it!

Do not merely summarize (you shouldn’t have to summarize at all in this one, really)

And remember…

It’s an essay…it should have paragraphs indicated by indentation!!!