Song+Analysis+Assignment

Song Analysis Assignment

You will analyze the lyrics of a song as poetry. You will look for the use of the poetic and literary devices that you have learned in your Writing and Reading classes.

ü Choose a song that means something to you. Be sure that it is a song that is appropriate for school (no vulgar or offensive language, or over-emphasis on violence or sexual themes). Choose a song that contains poetic devices like the ones we have been discussing in class. To earn the maximum points, you will have to be able to identify at least 6 poetic devices in your song.

ü Provide a copy of the lyrics. You may download them from an Internet source, type them, or write them __neatly__ in black or blue ink. Be sure to include the songwriter’s name as well as the performer’s (or group’s) name. Number the lines of the song. You may number every 5th line (5, 10, 15…).

ü Write a **four-paragraph** essay that addresses the following aspects of the song you chose. The four paragraphs should focus on: 1. //Choice //—Identify the song and performer/composer. Why do you like this song? Out of all the songs you listen to, what is it about //this// song that made you choose it for analysis? Do you admire the performer? Do you like other songs by the same performer? 2. //Meaning //—What is the song’s //deeper// meaning (not just the surface meaning)? What is the songwriter trying to tell the audience? What is the author’s purpose for writing it? Does the song tell a story? Does it address certain emotions or issues? 3. //Music and Lyrics //—How does the instrumental music reinforce the meaning of the lyrics? How does the music affect the overall tone or mood of the song? Is it angry and loud? Sad and subdued? What instruments are used? Why these instruments? 4. //Devices and Terms //<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">—What poetic devices are used within the lyrics? Look for the devices that we’ve been talking about in class (similes, repetition, alliteration, etc.) On the copy of the song lyrics underline, circle, or somehow note each device that is used. In your essay, refer to each of the devices by naming the line number in which they appear. Your goal is to find 6 of these poetic devices in the song you chose.

**<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">10 points ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">8 points ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">6 points ** || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Reason for choosing song is well-stated and thoroughly supported  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Reason for choosing song is stated and adequately supported  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Reason for choosing song can be inferred, but little or no support is given  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Song’s meaning is fully analyzed with in-depth probing of the literal and figurative interpretations  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Song’s meaning is fully analyzed with some discussion of literal and/or figurative interpretations  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Song’s meaning is analyzed on a superficial level  || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Music ** <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The music’s relationship to the lyrics’ meaning is thoroughly analyzed  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The music’s relationship to the lyrics’ meaning is adequately analyzed  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">The music’s relationship to the lyrics’ meaning is mentioned, but not analyzed  || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Devices ** <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Six or more poetic devices/terms are correctly identified by line number and thoroughly explained  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">At least four poetic devices/terms are correctly identified by line number and adequately explained  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">At least two poetic devices/terms are correctly identified by line number and explained  || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">5 points ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">3 points ** || **<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">1 point ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">Few distracting errors || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">Some distracting errors || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">Many distracting errors || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Lyrics legible, text legible, neat-looking paper  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Either lyrics OR text need improvement in legibility or neatness  || <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Both lyrics AND text need improvement in legibility or neatness  ||
 * = Choice = ||
 * = Meaning = ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">and **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Lyrics ** ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">and **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Bright','serif'; font-size: 9pt;">Terms ** ||
 * = Conventions = ||
 * = Presentation = ||

__ Points Earned: __/50 Points Possible = _%