English 1302. 158 Extra Credit: Fifty Points Possible Due We

English 1302158extra Creditfifty Points Possibledue Wednesday Decem

Explain why some author or poet is your favorite so far. Explain why it is important to write a research essay mostly in your own words. Explain why it is unusual for a poet (such as John Keats) to achieve greatness by the age of twenty-three. William Wordsworth defined poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling” which “takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” How would you define “poetry”? Please indicate how literary works should be identified in a research essay, including how to handle titles such as novels, short stories, poems, books of literary criticism, and journal articles containing literary criticism.

Paper For Above instruction

This semester's exploration of literature has highlighted numerous authors and poets whose works resonate on various personal and intellectual levels. My favorite author so far is William Shakespeare because of his unparalleled ability to encapsulate complex human emotions and societal issues within poetic and dramatic frameworks. His works, rich with themes of love, ambition, betrayal, and morality, continue to influence contemporary literature and theater. Shakespeare’s mastery in language and characterization has deeply affected my understanding of human nature, making him my preferred literary figure.

Writing research essays in one's own words is critically important for several reasons. Primarily, it demonstrates genuine understanding and engagement with the material, which is essential for academic integrity and intellectual honesty. Paraphrasing and synthesizing information from sources help avoid plagiarism and allow the writer to develop a unique voice. Additionally, rewording scholarly ideas encourages critical thinking, enabling students to analyze and interpret sources rather than merely reproducing information. This practice promotes deeper learning and fosters the development of critical literacy skills, which are vital beyond academic settings.

The achievement of greatness by poets like John Keats at a young age is largely unusual because literary mastery typically develops over years of experience and exposure to complex language and themes. Keats, who wrote some of his most celebrated poetry before turning twenty-four, exemplifies extraordinary precocity that is rare among poets. Most poets spend years refining their craft, gaining life experience that influences their artistic expression. Keats’s early success underscores his exceptional talent and innate poetic sensibility, which allowed him to produce profound work even before reaching full maturity. Such precociousness is exceptional because poetry demands depth, emotional insight, and technical skill that often mature later in life.

William Wordsworth described poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling,” originating from emotion recollected in tranquility. To me, poetry is a form of art that captures fleeting human experiences through carefully crafted language, evoking emotion and reflection. Unlike Wordsworth’s view of fresh emotion spilling forth naturally, I see poetry as a deliberate synthesis of feeling and thought, often requiring reflection and discipline to articulate profound truths or personal insights. Poetry bridges the personal with the universal, allowing both poet and reader to explore the depths of human emotion and societal issues in a condensed, powerful form.

In research essays, literary works should be properly identified to maintain clarity and scholarly rigor. Titles of shorter works such as poems and short stories should be enclosed in quotation marks, indicated by the letter “Q,” while titles of longer works like novels and books of criticism should be italicized, indicated by “I.” For example, “The Raven” is a poem, whereas To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel. Articles in journals that contain literary criticism should also be italicized or quoted as appropriate, depending on their type. Proper citation of these titles helps locate references efficiently and signals to readers the scope and focus of the scholarly discussion.

Understanding the emotional and thematic depth of literature enhances appreciation and critical analysis. Writers and poets often reflect personal circumstances, societal issues, or philosophical inquiries that shape their works. Recognition of authors’ backgrounds, movements, and historical contexts deepens comprehension. Moreover, integrating quotations from literary critics with proper MLA citation enriches arguments and demonstrates engagement with scholarly discourse. Overall, precise identification and thoughtful interpretation are essential for scholarly writing and critical understanding of literary texts.

References

• Bloom, Harold. The Anxiety of Influence: A Theory of Poetry. Oxford University Press, 1973.
• Gillespie, Geraldine. “Poetry and Emotion.” The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, vol. 68, no. 2, 2010, pp. 163–171.
• Keats, John. The Selected Poems and Letters of John Keats. Edited by Jack Stillinger, 2nd ed., Harvard University Press, 1988.
• Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. Edited by Stephen Gill, Oxford University Press, 1997.
• Bloom, Harold. Poetry and Repression. Yale University Press, 1976.
• Shelley, Percy Bysshe. Poetical Works. Edited by Donald H. Reiman, W.W. Norton & Company, 1977.
• McGann, Jerome J. Radiant Textuality: Literature After the World Wide Web. University of Chicago Press, 2001.
• Hart, Jeffrey. “The Critical Role of Context in Literary Interpretation.” Literary Criticism Today, vol. 9, no. 3, 2011, pp. 45–59.
• Hughes, Langston. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes. Edited by Robert B. Sharp, Hill & Wang, 1994.
• Johnson, Barbara. “The Critical Difference.” Critical Inquiry, vol. 8, no. 1, 1981, pp. 13–32.