Hip Hop by Mos Def
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Times New Roman, size 12 font, double spaced
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MLA heading and title
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header with running page count
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at least 3 outside sources with a separate works cited page
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at least 900 words word count included at end
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Write a poetry explication using any one poem from the text. Avoid the simplistic approach of “Line one means . . .” “Line two means . . .” Consider instead the way in which structure dictates meaning, possible symbolism, the use of punctuation (or lack thereof), and look closely at words that may be ambiguous. Make sure that, while you are looking at the parts of the poem, you explain what it makes as a whole.
Thesis:
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Your thesis statement should make clear what the focus of your argument is. This statement does not have to be complex, but it does need to be both clear and direct.
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The thesis may be located anywhere in your introduction, but is often best left as one of the last sentences of this paragraph.
Structure:
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Your introduction should briefly explain what topic, story, poem, or author is being discussed give relevant background information. Do not confuse plot summary for analysis.
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The topic sentences of body paragraph should be a strong statement that supports your thesis.
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Your conclusion should briefly summarize your argument and re-emphasize the merits of your point of view.
Reference Poem pg 1067
Hip Hop by Mos Def
You say one for the trebble two for the time
Come on y’all let’s rock this!
You say one for the trebble two for the time
Come on!
Speech is my hammer bang the world into shape
Now let it fall… (Hungh!!)
My restlessness is my nemesis
It’s hard to really chill and sit still
Committed to page I write rhymes
Sometimes won’t finish for days
Scrutinize my literature from the large to the miniature
I mathematically add-minister
Subtract the wack
Selector, wheel it back, I’m feeling that
(Ha ha ha) From the core to the perimeter black,
You know the motto
