Song

Prompt: Choose one song that tackles any social issue and discuss the effectiveness of its message. How does the song convince the listener to consider the particular social issue?
Further details: You will include no more than one reference to provide support about the history or background of the societal problem. The essay should include your detailed interpretation of the song and should discuss the persuasive impact on audiences. Please do not consult any outside sources for your song analysis; the analysis should be yours alone. Follow MLA formatting rules.
Format options:
• Traditional Analysis Essay, 2 pages (Works Cited will be your 3rd or 4th page, depending on length)
• Analysis Video, 3-5 minutes long, Works Cited included at the end
Objectives:
• Develop and implement a writing process
• Practice active reading strategies
• Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis
• Find and use credible research
• Follow MLA formatting rules for academic writing and research
• Organize an essay with a thesis statement, topic sentences, supporting evidence and transitions
• Embed a quotation following MLA rules
• Avoid punctuation pitfalls: run-ons, fragments, missing commas, misplaced semi-colons.
• Use the literary present tense when analyzing the song lyrics

Due Dates:
Week 1: Review assignment sheet, analyze a sample and choose a song for analysis
Week 2: Complete 2 close reading/active reading activities with your song choice, research background info (one source), draft the essay or video.
Week 3: Peer Review and Zoom Conferences
Final Essay or Video due before Sunday May 3 @ 11:59pm
Song Analysis Rubric and Checklist Points
Awarded
Content: Background and Analysis (50 points)
For both Essay and Video:
• Includes relevant background/historical information from at least one credible source
• Provides thoughtful, original analysis of the song (do NOT consult outside sources), clearly addressing the prompt
• Reveals close reading/critical thinking of the song lyrics
Style and Organization (25 points)
For Essay:
• Writes a clear thesis statement that addresses the prompt
• Includes an introduction, several body paragraphs, and a conclusion
• Develops paragraphs that follow a logical format (Claim-Evidence-Commentary) with clear topic sentences
• Transitions between ideas using transitional words/phrases
• Embeds quotations correctly following MLA rules (no more than 1 or 2 per paragraph)
• Uses consistent present tense during song analysis
For Video:
• Gives a clear thesis statement that addresses the prompt
• Analysis is centered around 2 or 3 points and presented in a logical order (does not go line-by-line through the lyrics)
• Clear intro and conclusion
• Images included add value to analysis
Grammar/Mechanics (15 points)
For Essay:
• Essay follows MLA formatting rules for heading, title, spacing, font, font size
• Follows MLA rules for Works Cited and in-text citations
• Uses author and title punctuation and capitalization correctly
• Has minimal problems with the following errors: run-ons, fragments, missing commas, and misplaced semi-colons
For Video:
• Gives student name, course info, etc at the start
• Give the video an original title
• Ends the video with a correctly-formatted Works Cited page
Peer Review Participation (10 points)
• Student posts a draft to Canvas by the due date.
• Student provides written feedback on Canvas to 3 assigned drafts. The feedback follows the rubric and offers at least 3 comments.

Prompt: Choose one song that tackles any social issue and discuss the effectiveness of its message.