Student Example: Theme Paragraph


The speaker of the free-verse poem "Hockey Poem" by Peter Trower suggests writing poetry is a complex but entertaining sport. Each poem is like a hockey player. If it is well written, it will win recognition from others.

"Hoping
they'll make the grade for you
score literary goals
deke the critics"
A poet thinks about a poem for a long time. By meditating on it in the "farm teams of the subconscious" he or she builds a strong contender for a win, literary recognition.
The writing process also takes time, and as "you juggle your lines" or find the best word to express your thoughts, you may be more successful in communicating your ideas than at other times.

To develop the poet's idea, he uses the metaphor of hockey. That "you draw more culls than champions" suggests not every poem expresses a thought successfully. Some poems are effective; others are not. He also uses simile: "a poet is like an impatient coach."

By comparing the poet to a coach trying to gain a successful hockey team for the season, he builds the idea that writing poetry is complex. He has a close personal relationship with his writing because he has so much invested in it. He "nurtures" his words, just like some people mentor their team. The allusion to "Wayne Gretzky" develops his theme that a successful poem is one the critics applaud.

Writing poetry like Canada's favourite pastime, hockey, can be a truly rewarding game.