English Songs and Poems

In the following tasks, you will present your choice of song and poem to the readers of an e-zine called DigIT. The e-zine came across your name because of the work you did for CFAD. The editor wants you to show how a song and poem can deliver messages on the same topic from different angles, using od the same techniques.

This email from Paul T. Grafton, editor of DigIT, is directed to you:

Hello,
We loved your comments on Druzus, Samian, and CerAmony. How about some follow-up with our readers?

Next month we plan to challenge our readers to think about how songs and poems can speak together about our lives. We want to publish a song and poem that turn a light onto the same vital issue, along with a personal commentary from a guest writer – you!

what do you think makes a great song? We want you to present a song that you love, and that speaks of an issue close to your heart. What’ll it be – lose, loss, alienation, violence, injustice, identity, freedom? You choice! Then we need you to find a great poem that puts its own spin on the same issue.

We want your personal comments on the song and on the poem. Then, we want you to record a reading and a final comment which we will post on our site as a podcast.

So, sharpen your pencil, and flex your digits. Now you’re working for DigIT, with 60,000 followers ranging from 18-30!

Yours in the Cloud,
Paul

Task 1: PASSION FOR A SONG
Begin this task by choosing a song that you love. Choose a song with a strong message you know many readers will relate to. Write the title and names of musicians here, and identify the issue that you see in the song:

Title: _______________________________________________________________________

Musicians or group name (band): _______________________________________________

Major issue: __________________________________________________________________

Paul T. Grafton has asked you to explain your opinion about what makes a great song. Following are comments by music-makers and bloggers explaining their views on the topic. Do you agree or disagree with them? Following their comments, write your replies to what they are saying. You may agree, disagree, and add to what they are saying.

“I am drawn to songs about life; songs that are inspiring, heartfelt, emotional, encouraging, uplifting and also songs that discuss common struggle and question our existence and the status quo. I am also a sucker for a song with a catchy chorus and good beat.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“… on balance it’s about the details – the casual inflection of a syllable, an unexpected burst of echo, the faint emergence of harmony flickering within a shrill downpour of noise – that makes us fall in love with a musical moment.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Some songs can hit you deep in your soul in a place you never knew existed. We go through life remembering these songs. To this day I can remember where I was when I heard these songs. Hearing them can trigger memories from our past and even bring out emotions we forgot we had.”
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“When you hear a great song, you can think of where you were you first heard it, the sounds, the smells. It takes the emotions of a moment and holds it for years to come. It transcends time. A great song has all the key elements – melody; emotion; a strong statement that becomes part of the lexicon; and great production.”
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Now write a 250–300-word personal comment on your chosen song for the readers of DigIT. Copy the lyrics of this song so your readers, your teacher or your tutor can follow your comments. Make sure to provide its title and the name of the band or musician. Follow this outline:
What you feel as you listen to the song;
Its central issue or message, and how you react to it;
How the music impacts on you;
Personal connections between the song and your life experience;
What makes a great song, and why this is one.

TASK 2: A POETIC ECHO AND REFLECTION

Now search for a poem that offers a view on the same topic or issue. It should be a poem that you like, with enough depth and complexity to challenge the readers of DigIT. Enjoy the search! You are going to read some great poetry along the way. You may wish to use some of the following poetry websites that catalogue great poets and their poems or find some poems from different sources.

Internation poets and poetry for students:
http://www.shmoop.com/poetry/

A selection of Canadian poets and poems:
https://library.utoronto.ca/canpoetry/index_poet.htm

American poets and poetry:
http://www.poets.org/

International poets and poetry:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

Write your 250-300 word personal comment on the poem you have chosen for the readers of DigIT. Make sure to include:
What you feel as you read the poem
Your understanding of the poem: its emotions and message;
How the message is connected to the song;
How the poem’s structure and poetic devices help to create the meaning;
Personal connections between the poem and your life experience.

Don’t forget to keep your tone upbeat and cool – you are writing for the audience of an e-zine, with readers ranging between 18 and 30.