Essay MUH2019

MUH 2019 Topical Writing Assignment American Popular Music

Due Friday, November 27th, 2020

By the end of this assignment, students should understand how to write a critical review of a musical album. The student must first select an album to review. The selected album must contain at least three songs. The music that students may select is not limited to style or genre. Students may select an album that contains music studied in class, that they enjoy listening to (or do not enjoy), or that they frequently engage with in some other way.

In their review, students must explain how their selected album reflects each of the five themes that have been central to our course (be sure to consult Chapter 1 for assistance): 1. Listening 2. Music & Technology 3. Music & Identity 4. Music Business 5. Centers & Peripheries

Students should also indicate how their selected album reflects at least. One of the three streams that have been central to the course (European, African, Latin). Students should contact Mr. Peasant if they need any help selecting an album or writing about music.

Students must select an album by the end of the day on Friday, October 2nd and tell

Mr. Peasant, through email, the work they will be writing about. The paper should be 800 words minimum, 1500 words maximum, double-spaced, and 12 pt Times New Roman font. Please include a properly formatted bibliography in Chicago style. Submit a digital copy of your paper through Canvas.

Essays must meet the minimum word count, or they will receive a zero. No resubmissions will be allowed to add additional words so please double check the word count. Students must complete the topical essay and receive above 70% in order to pass the class.

Viewpoints need to be substantiated, i.e. prove points with intellectual evidence. Citation of three or more credible sources (some internet sources are not reliable such as Wikipedia) by using parenthetical citations or footnotes within the text is required. A bibliography/works cited page must also be included at the end of the document. If the student is not sure how or what to cite, please ask or refer to the “Additional Resources for Topical Essay” handout in their class module. Ignorance is not an excuse and will result in a failing grade.

Students will be assigned 2 peer reviewers to look over rough drafts before submitting the final paper. This draft will be due on October 23rd, by the end of the day. As you look over your colleague’s work, please keep the following in mind:

1. Read the paper through without writing anything, just to get to know the paper. 2. Read the paper a second time, critically. Ask “How would I improve this if it were my own?” 3. As students think of improvements, they may worry about hurting the writer’s feelings.

Writing is an intensely personal activity and sometimes a great deal of ego gets tied up in the end product. But the most important thing is to learn, and to learn we must, to some extent, put ego aside. Therefore, although students should consider people’s feelings, good peer editors will still suggest improvements. To avoid hurt feelings, phrase all of your comments as positive “I” statements. For example, if the introduction is boring, a good peer editor might say, “I think you could improve the introduction by making it more vivid or adding more detail.”

4. Make sure communication throughout the paper is clear and effective. Is the overall message clear throughout the work? Are thy using correct grammar and sentence clause? Are their writing mechanics out of place? PROOFREAD but DO NOT REWRITE the paper for them!

5. Look over the comments that were made on the paper. Summarize the comments for the writer and ask questions about anything that might be a problem.

The student must submit the paper in the “Topical Essay” dropbox on CANVAS under the week of the essay due date’s module by the deadline, Friday, November 27th by the end of the day.

No late papers will be accepted unless it is an extraordinary circumstance. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the document is submitted in a proper and timely manner.

Writing Suggestions

• Papers should have introductions and conclusions. • Break up long paragraphs for better flow. • Watch the use of semi-colons and commas. • Underline or italicize major works such as albums or operas. Smaller works such as songs or

separate instrumental pieces are in quotation marks. • Be careful with capitalization. • Do not end sentences with prepositions. • Make sure sentences are coherent and concise. • Support opinions with substantiation. • Check the spacing in the paper. • Look for the use of repeated phrases or words. • Please number the pages. • Proofread your paper before submission.

Definition of Communication Skills

Successful communication involves expressing oneself within the conventions of a medium and working in many genres and styles. Communication involves working in many different disciplines and technologies, mixing texts, data, and images. Communication abilities develop incrementally across the curriculum. Please use this rubric as a guide for your paper!

1. Needs Improvement 2. Meets Expectations 3. Exceeds Expectations

Audience, Purpose, and Instructions Includes considerations of audience, purpose, and the assignment instructions.

Shows little awareness of context, audience, purpose, and the assigned tasks, including formatting in Chicago style.

Demonstrates awareness of context, audience, purpose, and the assigned tasks, including formatting in Chicago style.

Demonstrates competence in considering audience, purpose, and the instructions for the assigned tasks(s), including correct format, citation, and documentation in Chicago style.

Thesis Includes considerations of thesis as arguable assertion and as a map of essay organization.

Has difficulty in formulating a thesis statement in the context of the assignment, in locating the thesis in the introduction, and in using the thesis statement as a promise of essay organization.

Shows competence in how to formulate a thesis statement in the context of the assignment, in how to locate the thesis in the introduction, and in how to use the thesis statement as a promise of essay organization.

Uses assertive and specific topic sentences that support the thesis and advance the argument; shapes paragraph discussions with evidence; shows paragraph unity and coherence.

Content Development Includes considerations of topic sentences, paragraph unity and coherence.

Lacks clear topic sentences to introduce paragraphs; lacks paragraph unity and coherence.

Uses topic sentences to introduce paragraphs; shows paragraph unity by staying on topic; shows paragraph coherence by linking sentences together logically.

Uses assertive and specific topic sentences that support the thesis and advance the argument; shapes paragraph discussions with evidence; shows paragraph unity and coherence.

Sources and Evidence Includes considerations of authoritative sources and logical reasoning.

Does not integrates outside sources into the text; shows little ability to paraphrase, summarize, and quote sources; does not cite and document sources accurately.

Integrates sources into the writer’s text; shows ability to paraphrase, summarize, and quote sources; cites and documents sources accurately.

Uses relevant and authoritative sources to support ideas; synthesizes multiple sources; shows facility in integrating quotations, using signal phrases, citing and documenting precisely.

Grammar, Mechanics, and Style Includes considerations of conventions of Standard English usage, mechanics, punctuation, and effective sentence structures.

The language does not convey ideas with clarity; shows little understanding of mechanics and punctuation conventions.

Uses language that conveys ideas with clarity in Standard English; shows an understanding of mechanics and punctuation conventions.

Shows competence in effective sentence structures, sentence variety, and control of emphasis; demonstrates proficiency in mechanics and punctuation conventions.