In the most recent readings, we saw how Carol Vernallis, George Lipsitz and Angela Davis use a similar set of steps to analyze music in its various contexts. In their writing, the methodology looks something like this:
Use other writers to make a case about why the music matters
Establish the music’s historical context to make a case about why the music matters
Draw from additional sources (videos, interviews, biography)
Describe and interpret musical sounds–the actual music itself
Interpret lyrics and discuss the song’s topics, themes, and social relevance to continue to make a case about why the music matters
You can see these moves over and over in scholarly writing about music.
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Prompt: For this discussion post, write one paragraph of your upcoming essay that attempts to follow this methodology, or at least some portion of it from steps 1-5 above.
KEY REQUIREMENT: In the same way that our authors use an ideas from other writers, to make a case about the music, your paragraph here must use an idea from a text that you’ve found. This text must be a credible source. It need not be a text about music. It could be from a variety of different kinds of sources. The *key* is to locate and utilize a reliable source that allows you to more effectively contextualize and interpret the music and the topics to which it pertains.
Length Requirement: 250 words minimum
Quotes Required: Varies. References and paraphrases are acceptable, but please use a parenthetical citation that will allow your readers to locate the quote in your source.
