My sister and I are named after two poets and one of my supplemental essays is kind of a conversation using famous lines from poems by our namesakes. I make it very obvious by starting my essay with our names, but could this be a bad idea? I think it makes for a unique and interesting read. Advice?
How much of it is your own words? Most of it? Is it extremely clear that the lines of poetry are not your work? Are you significantly engaging with the material in a way that changes the interpretation?
It sounds interesting to me.
I think as long as you cite it, and incorporate the poem to explain why it connects to you, it should be fine. However, most of your essay should be original works. Using a few lines is okay, but using the whole poem is not.
I think it sounds interesting. Depending on where you apply to, this could be an essay risk worth taking. I think using poetry entirely is going to be hard to pull off, and I think it could get a bit old if it is too long. I would like to see what you come up with. Remember, it needs to convey something about you, not just be clever. PM me if you do it.
Used in this fashion, I don’t see this as very different from musicians sampling music. I do not think it would be regarded as plagiarism.
Not as long as you cite you sources and don’t completely copy the person.