23 pages 46 minutes read

Edgar Allan Poe

The Philosophy of Composition

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1846

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Poe provides a step-by-step account of how he wrote “The Raven,” arguing that he proceeded “with the precision and rigid consequence of a mathematical problem” (545). Regardless of whether he wrote the poem in this manner, why do you think that Poe took the time to describe his writing process as a step-by-step process?

2.

Poe claims that, when writing “The Raven,” his goal was to produce a work that was “universally appreciable.” Do you agree with his views that there are topics that will be appreciated and liked by everyone? Justify your answer.

3.

Poe proposes that a writer must first think about the end of a work (the outcome of the plot or the effect of the poem) and proceed backward. Can you think of positive or negative aspects of this method?

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 23 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,500+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools