Bear in mind the following rhetorical structure as you contemplate your research essay:
SUBJECT (e.g., Leonard Cohen);
AUDIENCE (sophisticated general reader with some knowledge of the poetry);
PURPOSE (to find a supportable posture with respect to the poetry/poet)
Here are some of the steps you will have to take in undertaking the Research Essay:
1. Arrive at a subject topic (by whatever means; e.g., Leonard Cohen);
2. Establish a premise (begin by consulting an encyclopedia, a work of general criticism on your subject, or even a biography; such works will suggest premises, such as - in the case of Leonard Cohen - urbanity of vision, cynicism in love, social or personal alienation, specific forms of heightened consciousness [e.g., Jewish consciousness; consciousness of the Holocaust], style or influence [e.g., the influence of the “Beat Movement”], wit, symbolism, religion, mythology);
3. Arrive at a posture (or a working thesis) with respect to the poetry (e.g.: “Leonard Cohen’s poetry is an attempt to wrest security from a world of increasing alienation”);
4. Narrow down the number of poems you are thinking of discussing (on the basis of their pertinence to your premise and your working thesis);
5. Narrow down your thesis, if appropriate; remember that you had to develop a working thesis and that you may find yourself having to reject (or alter) it in favour of another; such is life;
6. Read all of the appropriate poetry, whatever secondary criticism (books and articles) you can find, and even biographies;
7. Compile a provisional bibliography;
8. Make a provisional outline of the stages of your argument;
9. Begin drafting the essay (don’t be too fussy about the finer details at this point);
10. Check your draft against your outline, making changes to either as necessary;
11. Re-draft (or begin again if necessary);
12. Proofread the final draft, making changes as necessary.