IN-CLASS WRITING CLINIC: SONG ANALYSIS PAPER DUE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2016

FIRST THINGS FIRST If you have NOT started already, you are IN TROUBLE and need to at least crank out a page today!

YOUR MESSAGE Whenever you get stuck, you need to remind yourself what it is that you are writing about. How does the artist’s choices contribute (add to) the overall message? In other words, how does every single thing you analyze help the reader understand what the artist is trying to say?

THINGS YOU CAN ANALYZE Take out the instruction sheet.  Three literary terms (tone and two more-the reality is that you will find more)  The song’s structure…are the lines long? Short? Is it written like a story, essay, poem? Does it have a bridge? Is the chorus written in a different manner than most songs?  Diction– why were certain words used? Is it high, informal or neutral diction? Are the words dramatic, casual?  Tone- Don’t just answer the question but really discuss how all elements in the song work together  The musical arrangement, though not required, this can DEFINITELY contribute to the message

WHAT YOU ARE NOT DOING  Writing an opinion piece on the messages. Papers that have received low grades in the past have done this. Going on and on about how you feel about the message without actually analyzing the song  Using the words I, You, You’re, We…1 st and 2 nd person is NOT used in a formal analysis paper unless you are quoting. This allows the reader to know that you are not bias and are being objective  Analyzing the music video—ONLY the lyrics. We will do film/vid analysis later on.  Just mentioning the literary devices and putting quotes next to them. It’s your job to actually explain to the audience how these choices affect the message

MORE TIPS  Annotate FIRST- you will encounter more frustration if you are trying to write a paper from a blank slate. Annotating helps you order the ideas in your mind  CREATE AN OUTLINE: We will work on this today (please take out a sheet of paper)  USE THE IN-CLASS RESOURCES:  Song Analysis Practice Packet  Two song analysis worksheets  My sample paper  Between the class discussion and my sample writing, it will remind you of what to do. CONSULT YOUR DIRECTIONS! (don’t forget MLA)

MORE TIPS  ANY QUESTIONS?!