Comparative Essay Assignment

1
Comparative Essay Assignment

• Comparative essay on the lyrics/music of 2 songs
• 2 different artists or 2 songs of same artist/
  songwriter
• Dont use any of the songs discussed in class
  lectures at least to date
• 57 pages in length, double-spaced
• Due on Monday, Oct. 29, 2007
• No late papers will be accepted
• Hand printed copy in class or upload to dropbox

2
Structure

• Introduction
• Supply a clear thesis
• Why have you chosen these particular songs to
  compare?
• What overall point are you making about their
  relationship?
• Take a strong stand
• State the criteria (preview, blueprint, outline)
  which provides the framework for your analysis
• Include a BRIEF history/bio of the artists to set
  the context for the comparison

3
Criteria

• Consider using the criteria on the Handout on
  Lyric Analysis (tone, imagery, irony, figurative
  devices, rhythm, the relationship between the
  lyrics and the music)
• Or create your own criteria production
  complexity performance
• Or comment on the structure of the lyrics and
  arrangements

4
Format

• Use alternating format for your comparison, not
  the block format
• See pp. 31- 32 of The Green Guide

5
References
Buckey, Jeff, perf. Hallelujah. By Leonard
Cohen. Grace. Columbia 1994.

• Supply specific evidence to support your thesis
• include examples and details from the lyrics
• Include at least 2 references to research sources
  books, newspaper articles, web-sites, magazine
  articles, or the course textbook Brackett
  dont include citations to sites from which you
  got the lyrics
• Also include references to the two song
  recordings that youre using for the essay
• Check the class website for web-links, journals
  and useful books http//gs.fanshawec.ca/mia
• Quotations must be documented according to MLA
  format

6
Conclusion

• Provide a brief conclusion,
• Reiterate your thesis (using fresh language, not
  merely repeating your opening) or take your
  thesis one step further
• Carefully edit and proofread
• Grammatical/mechanical errors will reduce your
  grade
• Make use of the checklist-handout (later)
• Supply a Works Cited page (extra to the 5-7 pages
  of essay )
• Attach a copy of the lyrics to the back of your
  essay (also not part of the 5-7 pages of essay)

7
Final Note

• DONT put your finished essay in a folder,
  duo-tang cover, or other binding gizmo
• If you feel the essay seems naked, simply add a
  cover page with the title of the essay and your
  name then staple it together

8
Some Essays from 2006

• The Band Dylan-I shall be released / Robbie
  Robertson-Rockin' Chair
• Eric Clapton-Brave Ullyses / Layla
• Common-I used to Love HER / Zion I-Birds Eye View
• Peter Katz-Forgiveness / Protest the Hero-These
  Colours don't run
• Fiona Apple-Get Him back / Get Gone
• Jimmy Eat World-23 / If you don't eat
• Sunny Day Real Estate-Song for an Angel / Jimi
  Hendrix-Angel
• NOFX-Death of John Smith / Please Play this Song
  on the radio
• Alice in Chains-Nutshell / Nirvanna-Dumb
• Metallica-Leper Messiah / Trivium-Pull Harder on
  the Strings you Martyr
• Paul McCartney-Blackbird / Jenny Wren
• Alan Jackson-Where were you / Toby Keith-Courtesy
  of the Red
• Metallica-Disposable Heroes / Iron Maiden-Trooper
• Pearl jam-Better Man / BNL-The Flag
• Angels and Airwaves-A little's enough / Breaking
  Benjamin-Evil Angel
• Pedro the Lion-A simple Plan / Rosebuds-The Warm
  where you Lay