In this paper you will demonstrate your understanding of poetic concepts and how they apply to rap. “Poetic concepts” include terms relating to rhythm,
rhyme, and figures of speech. The following are a list of components each analysis should include.
Elements to include:
l
01
Find a rap song that is rich in rhymes and metaphors; download the lyrics. You can use a specific song from any time period, but make sure the song offers you enough lyrics to analyze.
02
Select and then copy twenty (20) lines of the lyrics into your paper. Lyrics should be single-spaced and indented. Number each of the lines.
03
Find and classify interesting rhymes in these selected lyrics and describe the overall effect that the rhyming patterns create. For example: (In line
7, Artist X uses internal rhymes to layer the hard A vowel sound. This causes the listener to focus in on the specific words she uses to describe her neighborhood.)
04
Find and classify interesting figures of speech in these selected lyrics and describe the overall effect that these figures create. Additionally, offer a critique of the underlying rhetorical message the artist is communicating. Does the song offer a critique of power? Does it attempt to offer a feminist
perspective to a typically hyper-masculine concept? Is there a common theme to these figures of speech, is there a “overarching metaphor” that governs the song?
05
Include a brief introduction in which you explain why you chose this song and brief conclusion in which you give a summary assessment of the quality of the lyrics.
Your paper will be graded on:
Whether you demonstrate knowledge of rhyme types and figures of speech (more thorough analysis will be awarded more points),
Whether you apply these terms and concepts correctly,
the quality of writing and organization of your paper. This is an upper division course, therefore I expect clear, error-free writing.
