How do I create a thesis statement for a poem analysis for the IOC?

For the IOC, it is critical that you create a consistent and coherent argument based on a point you make about the poem - something that you identify is being commented on or criticized in the poem. This will be the subject of your thesis statement. For the IOC your thesis is important because the stronger your thesis is, the stronger your IOC analysis will be. In order to create a thesis statement, you must first analyze the poem. For the IOC, you will be given time to annotate and prepare for the oral commentary. During this time, you should identify common themes and ideas in the poem - patterns - and how language and literary devices are used to create these patterns. Once you identify a theme, or main idea that you see in the poem, you can build your thesis statement. For instance, if the theme of the poem is death, you can make it your main point that the poem is depicting the tragedy of death. However, in order to complete your thesis statement, you will need to identify how the poet uses language and literary devices to establish this idea of tragedy in death, such as by the creation of tone and mood, or the employment of personification or metaphor, etc... Once you have the instruments that prove your main point, you can build a strong thesis. For instance - The poem depicts the tragedy of death via the tone, the extended metaphor and the employment of personification. This way of creating a thesis statement makes it easier for you to structure your oral commentary and ensure that it is focused and not just an analysis of everything that is being said in the poem. Examiners value theme based structures, and it is a way to avoid getting lost and losing the flow while orally delivering your analysis.