AP Literature - Poetry Thesis Statements

A well-developed thesis should do all of the following:

• Respond with a defensible interpretation.

• Use evidence to support your line of reasoning.

• Restate the prompt.

• Provide an opinion on the success of the work.

The following is an example of a well-written thesis: In Anne Bradstreet's poem, "The Author to Her Book," she describes the disappointment that a writer feels over the finished product she has created and her fruitless attempts to improve it.

• True

• False

Why is the following example not a strong thesis?

In Anne Bradstreet's poem, "The Author to Her Book," Bradstreet uses an extended metaphor and vivid diction to convey the speaker's strong feelings about her book.

• It is a summary of the work.

• It only makes a generalized statement about the work.

• It provides a personal opinion about the author's success.

• It does not explain the strategies the author used to convey meaning.

Why is the following not a good thesis?

Anne Bradstreet does a great job of describing her experience in dealing with the results of the publication of her book.

• It provides a summary of the work.

• It provides only a generalized statement.

• It provides a personal opinion of the author's success.

• It merely restates the prompt.

Select the stronger of the two thesis statements.

• In Anne Bradstreet's poem, "The Author to Her Book," Bradstreet uses literary elements to convey the speaker's complex feelings about her published work.

• Author Anne Bradstreet, through straightforward imagery and self-reflection, recognizes the experience she had with writing a book through that of a simple-minded being.

Select the stronger of the two thesis statements.

• Through the use of extended metaphor, poet Anne Bradstreet equates the relationship of an author to her book with that of a mother to her child. This intense, emotional battle is a complex one, juxtaposing self-doubt with pride and, ultimately, resignation.

• Author, Anne Bradstreet, through straightforward imagery and self-reflection, recognizes the experience she had with writing a book, through that of being a simple-minded being.

Which of the following elements is missing from this thesis?

Through her fresh controlling metaphor and formal, sardonic tone, Bradstreet creates instances of bitter imagery to exemplify the complex and even dissatisfactory bond between a writer and her work.

• Techniques (how the author creates meaning)

• Evidence

• Line of Reasoning (why/ complexity)

• Defensible Interpretation

Which element(s) are missing from this thesis?

Author Anne Bradstreet, through straightforward imagery and self-reflection, recognizes the experience she had with writing a book through that of a simple-minded being.

• Techniques (how the author creates meaning)

• Evidence

• Line of Reasoning (why/ complexity)

• Defensible Interpretation

Which phrase indicates a line of reasoning that hints at complexity?

Through the use of extended metaphor, poet Anne Bradstreet equates the relationship of an author to her book with that of a mother to her child. This intense, emotional battle is a complex one, juxtaposing self-doubt with pride and, ultimately resignation.

• Through the use of extended metaphor...

• ...Anne Bradstreet equates the relationship of an author to her book with that of a mother to her child.

• This intense, emotional battle is a complex one...

• ...juxtaposing self-doubt with pride and, ultimately resignation.

When analyzing a poem, it is important to get a sense of the big picture first, and then zoom in on the details.

• True

• False