Music essay

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*PRINT THIS PAGE - INCLUDE IT AS THE FIRST PAGE OF MUSIC ASSESSMENT ESSAY.

Write an essay which assesses a particular musical product, e.g. a CD, a concert performance. Your assessment should include an introduction to the artist and a thesis providing your overall judgment about the CD/performance, etc. You might provide background information, about where/how your chosen subject fits into the genre, and how the particular CD/performance fits into the body of the artist’s work. The majority of the essay should be evaluation, analysis, and description of the music itself (In a CD or Concert, Analyze 5-7 representative songs). The essay must include descriptions of the sound of the music, as well as discussion of lyrics, sociopolitical elements/messages, and musical/harmonic elements, and possible comparison with similar artists. You can also describe your emotional/psychological response to the music. Your conclusion should add a final perspective. Any research sources must be direct quotes only, in MLA format, 8th edition. It is not necessary to cite the lyrics with MLA citation, since your source is clear from your chosen topic. Sources must be underlined in essay and Works Cited to ensure they are complete (See #27 and #28 in Checklist). (See paragraph model in syllabus)

Format: (See guidelines for submitting Turnitin copies in syllabus)

_______ 1) Typed, double-space in 12 pt font, and was submitted to Turnitin as a Word Document

_______ 2) Hard-copy Turnitin scan of essay is submitted here, including match pages at the end

_______ 3) Two sentences (bare minimum) in each paragraph must not be quotes or paraphrases

_______ 4) Sufficient length (should be 1500 words minimum)

Structure and Focus :

________5)Introduction/Hook is effective

________6)Thesis provides an overall judgment/evaluation about the chosen subject

________7) Topic sentences in body paragraphs specify paragraph content.

________8A) Conclusion is sufficient and effective reiterates overall judgment, with final perspective/comment

________8B) Description of sound of music (2-3 sentences per song).

________8C) Analysis of lyrics/quoted as necessary.

________ 8D Evaluation of psychological/social/political messages

________8E) Consideration of your personal psychological/emotional response, if appropriate

________8H) Any Research Sources used are direct quotes

Development:

________9) Specific paragraphs (each paragraph should be less than 2/3 of page max)

(Indent paragraphs, don’t skip lines between them)

_______ 10) Paragraphs are clear, distinct, and focused, integrating related ideas in compelling manner,

using appropriate transitional words and phrases where needed.

_______ 11A) Details/Analyses/Supporting sentences are sufficient - support thesis & topic sentences

_______ 11B) Criteria are logically and consistently applied

_______ 11C) Examples are used when necessary

_______ 11D) Definitions are used to clarify topic when necessary

_______ 12) Focus of Essay is appropriate and does not go off-track or contain unrelated/unnecessary material

_______ 13) Transitions effectively differentiate paragraphs and topics

Usage :

_______ 14) Tense is consistent/logical (should not switch back and forth in appropriately)

_______ 15) Direct Quotes are correctly punctuated (if used)

_______ 16) Dialog - punctuation/structure is clear/correct (if used).

_______ 17) Sentence Structure conforms to grammar of Standard Written English.

_______ 18) Grammar / / Usage / Punctuation is correct and effective

_______ 19) Sentences are clear and logical, well-paced, and avoid needless repetition

_______ 20) Diction (Word choice) is appropriate for subject matter

If SOURCES USED - MLA FORMAT : MUST BE DIRECT QUOTES ONLY / NO PARAPHRASES

________21) Sources provide specific data

________22) Source Data is Adequate / Reliable / Current

________23) Correct In-Text Citations (Cite by Author if available, if not by title or short form, etc)

________24) Correct Works Cited List (Hanging indent, article titles in quotes, alphabetical, etc)

_______ 25) Correct Long Quote Format (if more than 4 lines, indent 2 tabs/left justify, cite after period)

________26) Every in-text citation has a corresponding Works Cited entry and vice versa

________27)* Each in-text citation is underlined to prove it has been corresponding Works Cited entry

________28)* Each Works Cited entry is underlined to prove it has a corresponding In-text citation

* Okay to underline #27 and #28 by hand

“I certify that I have carefully checked the essay and accurately completed this checklist accordingly.”

XXXV. MUSIC ESSAY OUTLINE FORM NAME:_______________________________

* Introduction/ Hook: _____________________________________________________________________________

Thesis - Overall Impression/ Judgment of the product.. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Some background about the artist and genre, with discussion of the way in which the chosen album fits into the artitsts’ career/theme/persona. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Song 1 judgment/analysis

*2-3 sentences describing/analyzing the sound of the music in that song itself. Include both instruments and voice

*2-5 sentences analyzing the message of the song, quoting and analyzing lyrics

Choice: Comparison with other musicians, consideration of psychological/social/political media elements,

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Song 2 judgment analysis (same content as above)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________*Song 4 judgment analysis (same content as above)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________* Conclusion – Restate your overall judgment, and ideally offer an additional perspective on your analyses