Final answer:
The correct punctuation is "emotion is formed, insists the speaker, 'tells that its sculptor well those passions read,'" which uses proper commas for clarity and structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best way to punctuate the underlined portion of the sentence is: "emotion is formed, insists the speaker, "tells that its sculptor well those passions read," and he notes that it is the artist's description." This option correctly uses commas to set off the phrase inserted by the speaker and to enclose the quote within the sentence. It keeps the flow of the sentence without fragmenting it unnecessarily, and it follows the conventional rules of English punctuation.
Punctuation is crucial in conveying the meaning and structure of a sentence. It acts as a tool to help the reader understand the nuances of the text, the pauses, the interjections, or when a direct quotation is used. The poet's careful selection of punctuation, much like the choice of words, can highlight the power of words to convey meaning and emotion, as mentioned regarding Wheatley's use of diacritical marks. Moreover, punctuation plays a role in the craft of poetry, as alluded by Wordsworth's mention of the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings – yet with the controlled release that comes through the tranquility of consideration.