OVERVIEW:

 

Song lyrics often depend on the music to accomplish their intended affect, though some lyrics can stand on their own as poetry like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”  Your assignment is to find the lyrics for a few of your favorite songs, songs that “move” you, which is to say, songs that somehow touch your soul, fire your mind, call forth strong emotions, or incite you to change the world you live in.

 

 

ASSIGNMENT:

 

Prepare a short oral presentation (3 – 5 minutes) about a song you think “stands on its own,” even without the music.  The presentation should include the following:

 

1) A copy of the lyrics for everybody in the class including the song writer’s name

2) A poetic rendering of the lyrics (read them without the musical rhythm)

3) Highlight poetic elements that make the poem “stand on its own”

(stanzas, line-breaks, spacing, enjambment, figurative language, onomatopoeia, diction, tone, meter, rhythm, etc...)

4) Explain the “message” of the poem, especially including what it means to you (personal response)

 

 

ASSESSMENT:

 

Using the IB Individual Oral Commentary Rubric, I will assess your presentation in the following areas:

 

A.  Knowledge and Understanding of the Extract or Works (1-5 points)

 

*  To get a 5 for this criterion you must show a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content of

the extract and demonstrate precise knowledge of the appropriate context of the extract where relevant.

 

B. Interpretation and Personal Response (1-10)

 

*  To get a 10 for this criterion you must have a convincing and detailed interpretation of the thought and feeling expressed in the work, show excellent awareness and critical analysis of the effects of the literary features of the work, and fully support your response with precise references to the work.

 

C. Presentation (1-10)

 

*  To get a 10 for this criterion you must have a purposeful and effective structure to the response that is focused, coherent and presented in a very effective and persuasive manner.  Don’t forget the IB double-whammy of again having supporting references that are well integrated into the body of the response.

 

D. Use of Language (1-5)

 

*  To get a 5 for this criterion you must have the following:  clear, varied, precise and concise speech, appropriate to the occasion with no significant lapses in grammar and expression and an effective choice of register and style while using precise use of wide vocabulary and varied grammatical structures plus using literary terms appropriately.