Transcript Music as Poetry Expository Essay

Bellwork November 30Th: :
 Describe a time when you have explained something
very well ( in a class/ to a friend/to a family member/
in a video game/ etc). What was the situation? What
were you explaining and to whom? What was the
result of your explanation?
 7-10 Sentences!
What is Expository Writing?
 expository essay – an essay that gives information or
explains something real.
 Comes from the word meaning:
 “explain” (to make plain; define), which
comes from:
 the prefix ex- (meaning outside)
 plus the base word for the Latin verb (to make clear).
Elements of Expository Writing
 It’s purpose is to share information with the reader.
 It often includes facts about real people and events.
 The information is usually presented in a
straightforward way.
 It may be organized by topics and sometimes includes
headers.
Elements cont.
 It may include diagrams, photographs, maps, graphs
or illustrations to help the reader understand the
subject better.
 The factual information can be checked by referring
to other sources.
 ITS PURPOSE IS TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING.
Music as Poetry
 For your expository writing assignment you will:
 find a well-written song that you like and take it apart as a poem.
 analyze the lyrics using TPSFASTT
 explain, in a 5 paragraph essay, why the song should be considered
poetry by using poetic devices as evidence. Your song must contain
at least 4 types of poetic devices. (ex: simile, metaphor,
personification, alliteration, etc.)
 Keep in mind that although almost any song can be viewed as
poetry, some are better than others. PLEASE…take the time to
chop through a few songs to look for the meat.
Some Example Analysis
 Watch the video at :
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySqyQAs1XtM
 Now , let’s use the TPSFASTT method we learned to
analyze a song so you can see the relationship of
songs and poetry.
Homework:
 1. Choose a song that you think is poetic
 It should have at least 4 types of literary devices
 2. TPSFASTT It on a lined sheet of paper
 If you prefer to use the handout I gave you, you can find it on
our class website at valleyviewhigh.org
 I will accept a lined paper TPSFASST or the printed version
 This is a portfolio essay. The TPSFASST of your song is the
first step on the process of the essay. Be sure to prioritize
it in your weekend plans correctly.
Finish the Exam:
 If you finish early:
 Read your Book Review Book
Brainstorm a list of possible songs
for your essay and begin thinking
about how the lyrics are poetic
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Closure:
 Why should songs be considered poetry? What
relationships between poetry and songs did you learn
about today?
 Homework:
 Find all of the poetic devices in the song “Stereo
Hearts” and explain them on the worksheet given
to you.
Bellwork December 3rd:
 Describe an amazing or successful person that you
know. Why do you believe them to be so
successful? what have they accomplished or
overcome in life that makes them extraordinary?
 7-10 Sentences
Take out Your Song:
 While I stamp your HW:
 1. Analyze “Stereo Hearts” for figurative language.
 Label them first, then explain what they mean on the
back.
Let’s analyze one song together:
 Look at the song and identify all of the figurative
language you can as practice for your essay.
 Let’s discuss.
The Expository Introduction:
 Start with a hook/attention getter
 Use options from the list I gave you for the last essay (
interesting statement/ interesting quotation/ anecdote/
rhetorical question)
 Be sure to relate it to the question you will be answering in
your expo essay
 Example: ( interesting statement) Music tends to be the
most popular form of free verse in today’s society.
Give Needed Context:
 Provide the information the reader will need to understand
the topic
 Limit your Context to 5-7 sentences or less.
 Example: Many people can remember song lyrics rather than
trying to remember the lines of a famous poem. Nevertheless,
music and poetry have links between them.
Thesis Statement
 State your arguable position on the topic that you will support
with evidence in your body paragraphs.
 Remember, the thesis needs to include two main things:
 You general position ( in this case, the answer to the question)
 Your subtopics ( the three answers to your question)
 Example:
The song, “ The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” should be
considered poetry due to its use of personification, imagery, and
metaphor that are used to create meaning in the song.
Example Intro :
 Music tends to be the most popular form of free verse
poetry in today’s society. Many people can remember
song lyrics rather than trying to remember the lines of a
famous poem. Nevertheless, music and poetry have links
between them that go much deeper than memorization.
Songs, like poetry, use intense language in the form of
poetic devices to convey and enhance meaning. Thus,
many songs should be considered poetry with a rhythm.
The song, “ The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” should be
considered poetry due to its use of personification,
imagery, and metaphor to create meaning in the song.
Intro Review:
 Hook
 Background
 Thesis
 Begin writing your Intro Now. Typed intro due
tomorrow.
Bellwork December 5th:
 What would you say is the most difficult
thing about being a teenager in society
today? What are some of the challenges and
why do you think these challenges exist?
 When you are finished, get out your
Expo Notes to continue body and
conclusions notes.
Topic Sentence
 Provide the main idea of the paragraph
 It should be utterly clear what the paragraph is going
to be about
 The order of your paragraphs should match the order
of your subtopics in the thesis.
 Ex: The song “Boulevard of Broken Dream” is poetic
due to its use of personification.
Supporting Evidence
 Include specific textual evidence:
 cited quotes from the song
 Do not simply start a sentence with quotes
 You must always use a transition to lead in a quote
 Ex:
 For example,
In addition,
He says,
Analysis
 Explain to the reader the significance and meaning of
the evidence you have provided. Think about why you
chose to include it.
 How does the piece of evidence support your thesis
and answer the question: How is this song poetic?
 The analysis should be at least 2 sentences in length.
Example
 The song “Boulevard of Broken Dream” is poetic due
to its use of personification. For example, the song
says in line 3, “ Where the city sleeps.” A city is
incapable of sleeping however the speaker of the
song uses personification to communicate the idea
that he is all alone and has no one to depend on. The
personified city represents all of the people in his life
who have let him down.
Add more evidence and analysis:
 Each body paragraph should have at least two
quotes/ paraphrases from the article as support.
 Each quote/paraphrase should be analyzed in your
own words.
Transition Sentence
 End with a transition sentence to the next subtopic.
 Connect each paragraph with a sentence or two that
demonstrate show each idea leads into the next, and
how they work together to support your position.
Example:
 The song “Boulevard of Broken Dream” is poetic due to its use of
personification. For example, the song says in line 3, “ Where the
city sleeps.” A city is incapable of sleeping however the speaker of
the song uses personification to communicate the idea that he is all
alone and has no one to depend on. The personified city represents
all of the people in his life who have let him down. In line 13, the
speaker personifies his shadow when he says , “My shadow's the
only one that walks beside me.” The speaker claims that his shadow
walks beside him emphasizing the fact that he can only depend on
himself when faced with difficulty. The personification is preceded
by the pronoun “ my” which displays his utter sense of loneliness.
Both of these quotes exemplify the poetic device of personification
and add depth of meaning to the song making it more than just
music in the same that imagery does.
Conclusion
 Restate the thesis in different words
 End with a “wow”
Example
 “ The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” is a song full of
developed language. This song should be considered
poetry due to its use of personification, imagery, and
metaphor. All of these devices go toward making the song
more than just music and communicating deeper meaning
to its listeners. Poetry is understood as the expression of
feelings and ideas through words on paper; This
articulation is evident through the use of poetic devices to
describe ordinary objects and feelings in the lyrics of song.
Thus, music is also a poetic manifestation that people
across the world can relate to.
Body/ Conclusion Review
Body
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Topic Sentence
Evidence
Analysis
Evidence
Analysis
Transition Sentence
 Take this time to write your Rough
Draft. DUE FRIDAY. TYPED.
Conclusion
 Restate Thesis
 Wow Factor