Posted: May 12th, 2015

Analysing songs, poetry and lyrics.

Course Text: Booth, Alison, and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature: Shorter Tenth Edition. New York: Norton, 2010.

ENG 122 Analysis Paper #2: Poetry

Write a 2- page (550 words) analysis paper using the four works from Words and Music: An Album assigned this week and two or more songs of your choice. Answer the following variation of the question in your textbook on p. 800:

“Is there a meaningful difference between poetry and song lyrics?” Write an essay in which you explore the definitions of “poetry” and “lyrics.” Be sure to cite examples to illustrate your ideas. You will find a definition for “poetry” on p. A9 and a definition for “lyric” on p. A7 in the Glossary in your textbook. This question is fairly open. Therefore, choose song lyrics that mean something to you, ones to which you relate, and ones that compare/contrast with the poems below.

Thomas Campion, “When to Her Lute Corinna Sings”
Robert Hayden, “Homage to the Empress of the Blues”
Michael Harper, “Dear John, Dear Coltrane”
Bob Dylan, “Mr. Tambourine Man”

AND

Your Choice of Two or more songs.

Remember to use the “literary present tense” when referring to events in a work of art. Art is considered perpetual; therefore, refer to the events in the work as if they are happening now.

Please check your spelling and use proper grammar. There is a Peer Review area in the Overview section. You may send your paper to another student for editing suggestions. Peer review is not mandatory. It is just a good idea. J You also may send your paper to our IU Online Writing Lab: The IU OWL.

See “Analysis Papers” and “Format” on our course syllabus. Please email me via our MOODLE course with questions. ~ D. Ellis