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Is the Mac a Great Tool for Writers?

So, you are a writer and you are looking for a laptop that supports your job or passion for writing. People who write a lot are looking for a comfortable keyboard, a performant laptop, and also highly portable. You may ask yourself what is the best laptop for writing a book. Is there such a thing as good laptops for writers? Well, maybe you will be surprised to find out that there are computers for writers. Writing on MacBook Air might just be the most comfortable experience. The word processor for mac works perfectly. The macbook mouse makes shortcuts easier. And once you learn how to drag files on mac and work with dragging icons, everything will just work so smoothly. So, let’s see. Is Mac indeed a great tool for writers?

Is the Mac a Great Tool for Writers?

User-Friendly Interface

One of the many things Macs are known for is their intuitive and user-friendly interface. The macOS operating system is designed to be sleek and simple, which can help writers focus on their work without getting distracted by unnecessary complexities. However, this does not mean that sometimes you might not experience drawbacks or bugs. If mac cannot drag and drop files, then you can troubleshoot the issue. You will be given some solutions to move text in documents, but also drag and drop files and folders. And all these will be easy to do as the interface is user-friendly. And you can fix any bug quickly so that you can go on with your writing.

Stability and Reliability

Macs are known for their stability and reliability. Which is exactly what you need as a writer. This means fewer crashes and interruptions, which is crucial for writers who need to maintain their concentration while working on their projects. Imagine writing an article or a chapter for your book and your laptop crashing. If you are working online, your work will be automatically saved. But if not, you will lose your work. So, you need a stable and reliable laptop.

High-Quality Hardware

Apple’s Macintosh computers enjoy a distinguished reputation for their top-tier construction and stellar performance. The Retina displays found on numerous Mac models provide writers with exceptionally sharp and vibrant visuals, facilitating seamless editing. Whether you’re delving into visuals, photos, or graphics for your written work, Macs guarantee the creation of vibrant and striking imagery. With their formidable computational capabilities, Macs are your steadfast companions for all your writing and creative pursuits.

Software Ecosystem

If you seek writing aids, it’s worth noting that Macs are equipped with an array of integrated productivity tools. Among these are Pages, a comprehensive word processor, TextEdit, a straightforward text editor, and Notes. Furthermore, macOS offers seamless access to well-known writing applications such as Microsoft Word, Scrivener, Ulysses, and a plethora of others to cater to your specific writing needs.

Seamless Integration

For those who possess additional Apple devices, such as an iPhone or iPad, the seamless synergy between them is a boon. Through features like iCloud synchronization, your documents become accessible from any device, offering unparalleled convenience for writers frequently on the go. This means you’re not tethered to your laptop; you can seamlessly continue your textual endeavors during commutes or while traveling.

Multitasking Capability

MacOS provides a robust multitasking environment, enabling writers to have multiple documents, research materials, and reference materials open simultaneously, making it easier to cross-reference and research while writing. So, multitasking has never been easier.

Voice Dictation and Siri

For those moments when the writing muse seems elusive, take solace in the voice dictation feature and Siri, Apple’s adept virtual assistant. Employ voice commands to transcribe your thoughts or execute tasks – an invaluable asset for those who favor verbal articulation in their creative process.

Third-Party Apps

The Mac App Store presents an extensive selection of third-party applications and utilities designed to elevate the writing journey. Whether you seek grammar and spell checkers, serene distraction-free writing environments, or robust research aids, a plethora of choices awaits to tailor your writing ecosystem. These options can significantly enhance the quality of your writing sessions and ensure seamless functionality.

Longevity

Changing your laptop every few years might feel like a burden. Especially if you have to transfer all the files. Well, macs are known for their durability and longevity, which means that your investment in a Mac can last you several years. Which ensures a stable writing platform over an extended period.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether a Mac is the best tool for a writer depends on personal preferences and specific writing needs. Some writers may prefer other operating systems or hardware, but Mac’s combination of user-friendly design, reliable performance, and a rich software ecosystem makes it a strong choice for many writers.

How to Quote a Poem in an Essay

Quoting and citing a poem in an essay can be overwhelming if you don’t use the correct formatting styles. There are numerous rules that guide how to quote lines or ideas from other poets’ works. Failure to follow or apply them when writing your assignments can be considered plagiarism, a serious academic offense. Of course, using correct citations isn’t an inborn ability; it requires practice and willingness to learn. That’s why we have prepared this article to help you understand when, how, and why you need to quote a poem when writing.

Quoting a Poem in an Essay: Why Is It Necessary?

There are several reasons to quote a poem in a paper:

  1. It gives credit to other people’s ideas. If you are analyzing or writing about a specific poem, you’ll likely talk about its authors’ concepts and opinions. Since most of the content isn’t yours, quoting the work gives the writer credit where it’s due. In addition, it helps you avoid plagiarism.
  2.  Quoting a poem when writing gives your work validity; it links your work with the source, thus providing credible information about the literature in question.
  3.   Quoting a poem proves that you’ve read and understood it.

How to Reference a Poem in an Essay

Before quoting a poem in an essay, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the quote necessary? Whenever you feel like using a quote, you should confirm if it is needed. Furthermore, you must be certain it will add more information to your essay. Quoting a poem can only be necessary if it simplifies your writing or adds more ideas to your discussion. So, it would be best if you used quotes only when relevant.
  • Does the quote support your argument? When quoting any poem or literature, you should ask yourself if it helps to develop your argument by providing specific evidence.

No matter how many quotes you use, as with any references, writing and citing them in the wrong place can make your paper less appealing and reduce its quality. That’s why it requires practice and technical know-how, as discussed in the following section.

Now that you have learned how to quote and cite a poem, you should practice to perfect the skill. The above information is vital for any individual who wants to analyze poetry or write their own masterpieces. However, if you face any challenges while handling assignments involving citing poems and other course work, you may seek professional assistance from services that provide help with writing an essay online; CustomWritings is an all-in-one essay writing service with 18+ years of experience in the market. They deal with 80+ disciplines at all academic levels and find the best-matching writer for every student.

Tips to quote a poem in an essay

Academic assignments, especially essays, research papers, proposals, and literature, require students to be conversant with different formatting styles. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn the benefits of citing your homework, the most commonly used approaches, and their requirements.

This section analyzes the two most common styles for citing a poem in an essay, including in-text citations and the references or works cited page.

American Psychological Association (APA) Style

APA is commonly used when citing sources in social sciences. However, it can also be applied when quoting a poem in an essay. The style involves two main parts:

In-text citations

Citing a poem in APA requires you to use parentheses at the end of your quotes. Your in-text citations should have the author’s last name, a comma, and the year of publication. In most cases, you should use these standard requirements; however, quoting an online or published poem, you can indicate its publication date.

When citing quotes in a single line, you should treat them like any other academic work; that involves writing the line in question, enclosing it in quotation marks, and writing the year of publication. As a general rule, always place the in-text citation before the final punctuation.

Sometimes, you may be required to quote multiple lines of a poem. In such cases, always remember to use block quotes; you should write the poem as it appears in the source without quotation marks, indent each line, double-space the section, and place the in-text citation after the quote’s final punctuation.

Citing the reference page in APA

When citing a poem in the reference page APA, you should write the poet’s name, publication date, poem title, and the link to the website where it is found.

Here is an example:

Donne, J. (2003). To his mistress going to bed. http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/elegy20.htm.

Modern Language Association (MLA)

MLA style is commonly used in media and English studies, literary criticism, and literature. Therefore, it is more appropriate when quoting a poem in an essay. Like APA, it involves two main parts; in-text citations and the reference page.

In-text citations

MLA requires parentheses at the end of a quote, the author’s last name, and the line number of the specific section in question.

If the text doesn’t have line numbers, you should indicate the exact page where one can find the poem. Also note that if you’re quoting several lines of a text, you must use the block method and avoid quotation marks. In addition, you should indent each line and place the in-text citation after the last punctuation.

Also, a single line should be presented like any other quote, with quotation marks followed by the in-text citation in brackets at the end. Always remember that the citation comes before the last punctuation in a sentence.

Citing the reference page in MLA

If you quote a poem in an essay using MLA, the works cited page should include the poet’s last name, first name, the poem’s title in quotation marks, the website’s name, URL, and the date when it was accessed.

Here is an example:

Ginsberg, Allen. ” Howl.” PoetryFoundation,www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/49303. Accessed on 16 May. 2023.

Learning the steps to reference a poem in an essay might seem challenging for students unfamiliar with different citation styles. However, it gradually becomes easy with practice and consistency.

So, Is It Necessary to Quote a Poem in an Essay?

Some people think it is not necessary to quote a poem in writing. In addition, they don’t consider it worth mentioning references from poetry works. It’s widely believed that quotations from poems give similar reflections as the ones individuals get from the original lines and stanzas. However, according to this report, it is important to acknowledge where a quote came from and attribute it to the source and author. Like in other academic assignments, citing quotes prevents plagiarism and gives your work validity.

“Casualty” by Seamus Heaney

I

He would drink by himself
And raise a weathered thumb
Towards the high shelf,
Calling another rum
And blackcurrant, without
Having to raise his voice,
Or order a quick stout
By a lifting of the eyes
And a discreet dumb-show
Of pulling off the top;
At closing time would go
In waders and peaked cap
Into the showery dark,
A dole-kept breadwinner
But a natural for work.
I loved his whole manner,
Sure-footed but too sly,
His deadpan sidling tact,
His fisherman’s quick eye
And turned observant back.

Incomprehensible
To him, my other life.
Sometimes, on the high stool,
Too busy with his knife
At a tobacco plug
And not meeting my eye,
In the pause after a slug
He mentioned poetry.
We would be on our own
And, always politic
And shy of condescension,
I would manage by some trick
To switch the talk to eels
Or lore of the horse and cart
Or the Provisionals.

But my tentative art
His turned back watches too:
He was blown to bits
Out drinking in a curfew
Others obeyed, three nights
After they shot dead
The thirteen men in Derry.
PARAS THIRTEEN, the walls said,
BOGSIDE NIL. That Wednesday
Everyone held
His breath and trembled.

II

It was a day of cold
Raw silence, wind-blown
surplice and soutane:
Rained-on, flower-laden
Coffin after coffin
Seemed to float from the door
Of the packed cathedral
Like blossoms on slow water.
The common funeral
Unrolled its swaddling band,
Lapping, tightening
Till we were braced and bound
Like brothers in a ring.

But he would not be held
At home by his own crowd
Whatever threats were phoned,
Whatever black flags waved.
I see him as he turned
In that bombed offending place,
Remorse fused with terror
In his still knowable face,
His cornered outfaced stare
Blinding in the flash.

He had gone miles away
For he drank like a fish
Nightly, naturally
Swimming towards the lure
Of warm lit-up places,
The blurred mesh and murmur
Drifting among glasses
In the gregarious smoke.
How culpable was he
That last night when he broke
Our tribe’s complicity?
‘Now, you’re supposed to be
An educated man,’
I hear him say. ‘Puzzle me
The right answer to that one.’

III

I missed his funeral,
Those quiet walkers
And sideways talkers
Shoaling out of his lane
To the respectable
Purring of the hearse…
They move in equal pace
With the habitual
Slow consolation
Of a dawdling engine,
The line lifted, hand
Over fist, cold sunshine
On the water, the land
Banked under fog: that morning
I was taken in his boat,
The Screw purling, turning
Indolent fathoms white,
I tasted freedom with him.
To get out early, haul
Steadily off the bottom,
Dispraise the catch, and smile
As you find a rhythm
Working you, slow mile by mile,
Into your proper haunt
Somewhere, well out, beyond…

Dawn-sniffing revenant,
Plodder through midnight rain,
Question me again.

“Casualty” by Seamus Heaney
Sheep., Pexels License

I love how the poem tells the story of complex Irish history and culture. From the start of the poem, Heaney takes readers to a typically Irish setting: a beer in a tavern. Continue reading “Casualty” by Seamus Heaney

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The philosophical approach to life and creativity, which is typical for the author, is also evident in this work. In the first line of the poem “The Road Not Taken” the author offers the reader an image of a road fork. Continue reading “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein’s fame in creative work begins with the publication of the book “Where the Sidewalk Ends”. The poem “Where the Sidewalk Ends” has become a kind of reflection of the author’s worldview. Continue reading “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein

“If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine

When analyzing the poem named «If You Forget Me» it’s essential to know the historical context and the author’s personality. Continue reading “If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda