Edgar allan poe the great american writer edgar allan poe is known for his haunting poetry and his literary criticism. his skill as a critic had great influence on the writing of his time; it also earned him enemies. poe led a life that can only be described as tragic, yet he left an indelible mark on american literature. why would this passage be appropriate for a literature term paper? the writer uses formal language. the writing is warm and personal. the passage contains contractions and slang. the language is informal and humorous.