Poetic Devices in Song Lyrics and Poems. Short Essay Assignment

Transcription

1 Poetic Devices in Song Lyrics and Poems Short Essay Assignment For this assignment you will be writing a short essay about the poetic devices used in song lyrics and classic poetry. You must choose one song that is appropriate for school (no profanity, explicit sex or drug references, or mature content), and one poem by a known poet. For each the poem and the song lyrics you must do the following: Copy or re-type the poem / song lyrics. In a paragraph (min. 3 sentences), give a short biography of the poet / song writer. You must put this short biography in your own words. In a paragraph (min. 4 sentences), explain the theme of the poem / song or what the poem / song is about. If the poems / song tells a story or describes something, explain how it begins, develops, and ends. In a paragraph, identify examples of at least two of the following poetic devices, and explain why you believe the author used that poetic device in the poem / song (think what doe this device add to the poem / song? How would it be different if it was not there?): o Simile o Metaphor o Onomatopoeia o Alliteration o Personification o Rhyme o Imagery o Repetition End your essay on each poem / song lyrics with a paragraph about why you chose this poem / song, and, what the poem / song means to you (For example, how does it make you feel? What does it make you think of?).

2 Other things to remember: You must create a cover for your report that follows the BMHS template that you were shown in class. You must include a bibliography that has all the sources you used for this report. You will need to include the source where you found your poem and song lyrics, and your biography information. See the examples below of the proper MLA/APA format. o Plagiarism is an academic crime. It is not a matter that is taken lightly in any academic institution. Plagiarism is taking another person s words or ideas and claiming them as your own. o If you choose to plagiarize even a small portion of your short essay, it will result in a grade of zero, and referral to the administration. APA Format An entry in an encyclopedia or dictionary Last name of editor, first name of editor. (year published). Title (edition number, volume). Place of publication: Name of publisher. Example: Sadie, S. (Ed.). (1980). The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians (6th ed., Vols. 1-20). London: Macmillan. Book Last name of author, First name of author. (year published). Title. Place of publication: Name of publisher. Example: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. A web site Website author if known. Title of the site. <website address> (date visited). Example: Shade, L. R. Gender issues in computer networking. < (1996, May 28).

3 Evaluation: Short Essay Assignment Poetry & Song Lyrics Poem: Poet: Poem choice Criteria Poem is at least 12 lines long, is appropriate for school, and is by a known poet. Possible 3 Earned Poet biography Poem topic Poetic device 1: Poetic device 2: Poem choice Spelling, grammar and punctuation Sentence structure and essay organization Appearance Biography gives an overview of the poet s life (when they were born, when they died, what they are famous for, other interesting information). Explanation of the theme or topic of the poem. at least one example of it in the poem. Explanation of why you believe the poet used this poetic device in this poem. at least one example of it in the poem. Explanation of why you believe the poet used this poetic device in this poem. Explanation of why you chose the poem. Explanation of what the poem makes you feel and/or think of. All words are spelled correctly. Sentences begin with capitals and end with periods or other appropriate punctuation mark. Sentences are complete and proper. Essay is organized into paragraphs, and flow well. Essay is neatly typed or written in blue or black ink. Page is clean. 2 40

4 Song Title: Songwriter: Criteria Possible Lyrics choice Lyrics are appropriate for school. 3 Earned Songwriter biography Song topic Poetic device 1: Poetic device 2: Poem choice Spelling, grammar and punctuation Sentence structure and essay organization Appearance Biography gives an overview of the songwriter s life (when they were born, when they died, what they are famous for, other interesting information). Explanation of the theme or topic of the song. at least one example of it in the song. Explanation of why you believe the songwriter used this poetic device in this song. at least one example of it in the song. Explanation of why you believe the songwriter used this poetic device in this song. Explanation of why you chose the song. Explanation of what the song makes you feel and/or think of. All words are spelled correctly. Sentences begin with capitals and end with periods or other appropriate punctuation mark. Sentences are complete and proper. Essay is organized into paragraphs, and flow well. Essay is neatly typed or written in blue or black ink. Page is clean. 2 40

5 Bibliography and Cover Bibliography Criteria Bibliography is included, and is written using the proper format (APA). Includes at least 2 sources, which account for all information (where the song lyrics and poem were found, and biography information of the poet and songwriter). Possible 1 Earned Cover The cover follows the BMHS template. 20 Total Possible Poem evaluation 40 Song evaluation 40 Earned Bibliography and cover evaluation 20 Total 100

6 Literacy Standards These are our BMHS Literacy Standards for this academic year. They are designed to promote literacy and student achievement & expectations in all courses. This list will be posted in each class room/area, attached to subject student eveluation plans, placed on our school web site and placed in our school parent memo periodically. Criteria : Cover Page- Title Student Name Course & Teacher name Date Due Organization- Information presented in effective order Conclusions are well developed Includes precise and varied sentences Neatly written or typed Organized into paragraphs Assignment or answer has been introduced Grammar / spelling- Text is clearly written with attention to Grammar Capitalization Punctuation Spelling/ Spellchecked used, if typed Completed sentences used No slang words or phrases used No abbreviations used Checked for errors Dictionary used References- Well-chosen sources are used and properly documented (APA preferred) Quality- The assignment is word-processed, typed or neatly written in blue or black ink Pages are numbered The work is neat and clean Illustrations ( if appropriate) are provided Checked for meaning Timeliness- prior to the due date on the due date after the due date (# days) Student check Teacher check