Throughout the semester, I do whatever I can to engage students with their research. I mean, if they are not closely reading their articles for meaning, it’s going to be a DRAG for their instructor to read their essays. I tell them this: Annotations will DEEPEN their UNDERSTANDING of each article - I annotate EVERYTHING - I feel if I don't WRITE IT DOWN, I WON'T LEARN ANYTHING.
l ask for a closer reading to all their research materials. Together, we will INTERACT with the text. We will ANNOTATE our reading What is an annotation ? A note by way of explanation or comment added to a text or poem. There is no one way to make annotations. They need to decide what is INTERESTING and/or IMPORTANT. Annotating research articles will become an IMPORTANT ACADEMIC SKILL – My students will elevatethemselves from their competition when they can identify and understand the most important ideas of their reading. I find the best note-takers become the best writers in the class. Funny how that works.
I'M NOT KIDDING. As soon as I finish my PLANNING and GRADING, This is what I do all NIGHT long:
At the top of this page is of one of my favorite annotation assignments – JAY’S SONG ANALYSIS.
- Later in the semester, students will be required to contribute their own song to our classroom Soundtrack.
- You will choose a song to best represent a Character, Idea, Scene, Relationship, Event, Attitude...
- Choose an interesting song to analyze - with interesting lyrics - from an interesting artist.
- Think Hip-Hop, Classic Rock, Musica Nortena - YOU DECIDE (but if you choose a song in Spanish, you will be responsible for translation – For example, I have chosen in the past “La Puerta Negra” by Los Tigres del Norte. For me, this is the perfect song to reflect Impossible Love.
- For today's purposes, I have chosen TAYLOR SWIFT. I will write about her song "Mean."
So, Here is Jay’s Soundtrack Selection Assignment
Choose a SONG to Support Your MVP
- Jay’s Tip: Find something with interesting lyrics, phrases, or words that you can respond to. If you know something about the artist, that will be cool! (For example, I know Taylor Swift was bullied in high school. I was able to recognize a line in her song that may have reflected a form of bullying. I made a note of it!
- Is there a part of the song that connects with you? UNDERLINE IT! Explain in the margins.
- What’s the song about? Can you identify key clues that tell the listener part of a story?
- Is there a Message? Where? Circle it? Explain in the margins.
- Is there a Deeper Meaning – Will some people hear part of this song differently?
- Do you have any feeling for Word Choice – Why do you think the artist chose this word or words for this song?
- Comparison – Can you compare any part of this song with anything else you have heard or read?
- YOU DECIDE ON WHAT IS INTERESTING – but make your notes legible/logical/meaningful.
- Create SIX Annotations in the margins.
For grading purposes, here is what students will do:
- Follow Jay’s Taylor Swift Model Above - You need to submit your Song Annotations in Canvas Assignments
- I suggest they Annotate in Word - Follow the instructions on this very brief video:
Jay's Word Annotation Sample for the Song "Respect Yourself" by the Staples Singers - I could match this song up with Cherie in Bus Stop:
Here is one for David Bowie:
Here is one for Katy Perry - I haven't decided where to use it yet!
For those of you who look for Poetry in your Music, Try this chart for Annotation Ideas:
Here is a PDF link to the chart:Poetry Annotation Guide - Heather Temple - Annotation Marks.pdf
Here is a SNIP of the chart that I can copy and paste right here:
Jay’s Tips:
For help with song analysis, I often send students to the following websites:
This assignment is designed to help you elevate your research skills. Take advantage.
- If they choose a song in Spanish, I want to see their notes in English!
- If they choose a song that contains expletives ( curse words ), I hope they will figure out a way to avoid offending they classmates. To keep things simple, I suggest they replace your offensive words with this: [bleep]. Or, [Bleeping]. Or, [Bleeped}.
This is going to be great. They will see the difference in their writing.
Keep up all the Great Work they are already doing.
Paz,
JL
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