Poetry Analysis Guided Drafts WS: BP Topic Sentence Warning Lesson

Here are two examples of topic sentences that identify a feature of the poem and point out how the feature supports the interpretation in the thesis:

Thesis: In “I Am Offering this Poem” by Jimmy Santiago Baca, warm imagery and predictable repetition suggest the power of poetry to make readers feel loved.

Topic Sentence

The poem’s warm imagery suggests that poetry can make its readers feel safe.

This topic sentence names the feature (imagery) and states how it supports the interpretation about how poetry makes readers feel.

Topic Sentence

The speaker illustrates how poetry can reassure its readers by repeating phrases throughout the poem.

Here, the topic sentence connects the poem’s repetition to the interpretation about poetry’s ability to reassure readers.

Tip!

Your topic sentence should state the way the feature supports your interpretation, but it doesn’t need to fully explain how—the evidence and explanation in your body paragraph will do that!

Baca, Jimmy Santiago. “I Am Offering this Poem.” Immigrants in Our Own Land and Selected Early Poems, New Directions, 1990.