applepie100

Hi All! I've been readings these boards for years, back from when I applied to programs a few years ago. Before starting at an MFA, I applied to primarily MFA programs and a number of PhD in literature programs. Although I had a few MFA offers, I was rejected by all the PhD programs. I am planning to reapply to PhD programs this fall, with a focus on 20&21st C poetics / avant garde poetics. As I gear up to apply to PhD programs again this fall (both in CW & Lit) and I am planning on writing a new critical writing sample (among many others updates to my application). When I first applied, I used a critical essay on WB Yeats that I wrote in my undergrad (and did revise, etc. prior to submitting). A new paper, I think, would be stronger and would align more closely with my research interests (Yeats isn't quite right). I am considering now writing a new critical essay on a more contemporary poet and this leads me to multiple questions: 1) Should a successful WS have a specific/rare critical approach? AKA would it be better to do an analysis of a poet with a feminist or postcolonial (two random examples) approach, rather than, for example, a formalist approach? 2) Related, does anyone have any suggestions on resources for WSs? It has been a number of years since I've written a paper like this & I need all the help I can get. Do you have any structural advice? 3) Perhaps a too specific question, but do you think I should pick a poet who is dead/already accepted into the cannon, or do you think it's fine to perhaps pick a living poet (but one with obvious acceptance, awards, 8+ books, etc.) Sorry this got so long! Thanks for all your help!