Guides: ENGL 1301: "The Late 1900s": Music Essay

Essay #1

The task.

1. Pick a song and think about how “Music Is Not for Ears” applies to it.

2. Develop a solid essay that explains how the ideas of “Music Is Not for Ears” help you to understand why the song is so personally resonant. Do this by determining the message of the lyrics – do not give some general, formal analytical statement; discuss

the message you personally derive from the song. And then explain how the visuals of the music video and your personal experience contribute to your interpretation and/or detract from it. Your thesis should provide a roadmap to your essay.

3. Make sure to cite the lyrics, the class reading, and provide a time stamp from the music video.

4. Review all available resources to help you maximize your grade.

Requirements.

· MLA formatting;

· At least 800 words.

· Analysis of a song from the 1990s.

· A captivating introduction and conclusion, both of which articulate your thesis.

· Quotations from the lyrics and the class reading. Time stamped examples from the music video.

· 7 paragraphs total (introduction, info on song, lyric analysis, visual analysis, personal reflection, conclusion)

· Original work

Automatic Grades

Too short (papers shorter than 750 words): 50

Major Citation error (missing WC page and/or in-text citations): 65

Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, AI, collusion): 0

Rubric

Category	Point Value	Notes
MLA	10	Heading Header Double-spaced TNR Indented paragraphs and no extra spaces In-text citations Works Cited page
Context paragraph Lyric Analysis	18	Student includes a paragraph that provides information about the song and its music video as well as how it ties to the ideas in the class reading, setting up the forthcoming analysis. Student discusses the song’s message based on the lyrics. Student cites the lyrics. Student substantiates their claims. Paragraph is well-developed.
Use of class reading	18	Student applies ideas from the class reading to the song and his/her/their reading of it. Student quotes the essay, embedding it properly, with enough introduction and explanation.
Video analysis	18	Student includes specific examples with time stamps from the music video. Student explains how the music video fits in with the lyrics: does it confirm, extend, complicate, and/or go in a totally different direction. Student explains how the video contributes to the message of the song identified in the lyric analysis.
Reflection derived from personal experience	18	Student discusses how their personal experience has made the song speak to them on a different level, addressing whether personal experience confirms/refutes/complicates the lyrics of the song.
Introduction and Conclusion	18	Follows strategies outlined in the course resource. Tripartite. Features a well-developed thesis.