Today's lesson focused on how to construct an argumentative thesis on the function of metaphor and how symbolism functions to create meaning. We studied Blake's "Ah Sunflowers" and first identified structural clues to meaning , such as punctuation and rhyme scheme. I then provided instruction on paraphrasing the poem and from the paraphrasing identifying the poem's symbols and what they represent. With sufficient explanation ,Joshua was able to formulate some ideas of symbolic significance recognizing the relationship between the sunflower and the sun and humanity's seeking unity with God.