For Amy to effectively incorporate lines from the poem into her essay, she can choose one of the following strategies based on her purpose and the context in which she wants to use the poem:
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Direct Quote: If she wants to emphasize the exact words and convey the poem's imagery or meaning with precision, using a direct quote would be the best strategy. For example, she could write, “the poem describes how ‘falling gently down snow blankets the Earth tonight’,” and then provide an in-text citation according to her required format (e.g., MLA, APA).
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Paraphrase: If she wants to express the main ideas or themes of the poem in her own words, she can paraphrase. This would involve summarizing the essence of the lines without directly quoting them. For example, she might write, "The poem illustrates a serene winter night, highlighting the contrast between the coldness of snow and the coziness it brings."
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Summary: If Amy wants to provide a broader overview of the poem, summarizing the main themes or messages could work well. A summary condenses the content without focusing on specific lines but should still capture the essence. An example could be, "In the poem, the imagery of snow blanketing the earth evokes a sense of tranquility and warmth in the midst of winter's chill."
Best Strategy: The best strategy depends on her goal. If she aims to create a more analytical or critical piece, using a direct quote would be more impactful. However, if she wants to discuss broader themes or integrate the poem more fluidly into her ideas, she might prefer paraphrasing or summarizing.
Regardless of the chosen strategy, it's important for Amy to include appropriate in-text citations for the poem to acknowledge the source accurately.
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