What does being a self directed learner mean ?

Which phrase best defines figurative language writing that it's meant to be imaginative and david rather than literal words that create mental pictures of something seen her taste it smelled or touching poems that include many different types of rhymes and riddles sentences that are long and reference historical and literary figures

Electronic cover letters are longer than traditional paper cover letters.

How is dr. lanyon characterized in the excerpt? as friendly as arrogant as wise as mournful