The Sound of Poetry

Song Analysis Assignment

It is no secret that poets choose words not only for their meanings but also for the way they sound and make a person feel. Many consider song lyrics and music in general to be a a form of poetry. For this assignment you will analyze song lyrics as a form of poetry.  You will look for the use of the poetic and literary devices that you have learned in your creative writing classes. Along with this analysis, there will be a creative component to this project. I will allow you to work with a partner for this project, with the expectation that working with a partner will strengthen your final product.

Some Guidelines

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 5^th line (5, 10, 15…).

                   

ü  Write an essay that addresses the following aspects of the song you chose.  The essay should focus on:

1.    Choice—Identify the song and performer/composer. Why do you like this song?  Out of all the songs you listened 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 impact 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—What poetic devices are used within the lyrics? There are plenty to choose from! Some of the most common when discussing song lyrics are: 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.

When completed, this assignment will include a copy of the lyrics AND an essay analyzing the lyrics. As with any essay, pay attention to organization, word choice, presentation, etc.  

We will discuss the creative component of this project in class when we go over the first part of the assignment. The rubric I will use to grade your song analysis is below. Check it out!

Name: _______________________________________  Period:  ______ 

Song Analysis Rubric

Song Analyzed:  _______________________________________________

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

Points Earned:  __________/50 Points Possible = _________%