Guidelines

• Your essay should include a clear introduction with a thesis statement that directly addresses the claim above.
• Analyze at least three specific poetic techniques, supporting each with close textual evidence (quotations).
• Consider how the structure and pace of the poem reflect the soldier's psychological and physical experience.
• In your conclusion, reflect on the broader significance of Hughes's message — what does the poem imply about the nature of war beyond the experience of this one soldier?

Assessment Focus

• Quality of argument and clarity of thesis
• Depth of textual analysis and use of evidence
• Understanding of how poetic form and technique convey meaning
• Sophistication of expression and essay structure

Write a well-structured essay that argues how Hughes uses poetic techniques to reveal the soldier's loss of identity and purpose amidst the chaos of battle. Your essay should:

> Suggested thesis direction: Hughes strips the soldier of heroism, ideology, and even rational thought, reducing him to raw animal instinct — suggesting that war does not elevate men but instead completely dehumanizes them.

• Identify and analyze at least three specific poetic techniques (e.g., imagery, diction, rhythm/metre, enjambment, symbolism)
• Include close textual evidence (quotations) to back up each point
• Examine how Hughes challenges romanticized or patriotic views of war, considering what the soldier is ultimately reduced to by the poem's conclusion
• Reflect on the effect on the reader, discussing how the techniques enhance our understanding of the soldier's psychological and physical experiences