Name: _____________________________________________ Date:_____________
Period:_________________
SONG LYRICS ANALYSIS PROJECT
Literary Devices are techniques used in writing that produce a specific effect.
Most literary devices help the reader focus on particular words and phrases in order for the writer to get his or
her point across. Most people love to listen to music, and we have studied how literary devices help develop
meaning in a song. Basically, you can analyze a set of lyrics on a page in the same way as you view a poem!
DIRECTIONS: Choose 1 song pick up its set of lyrics from me today. You may choose to work with a partner or
on your own. You will analyze the lyrics in class by text marking the lyrics for the following literary devices:
figurative language, repetition, alliteration, rhyme pattern, imagery, and tone, and theme. Then, you will write
a literary analysis explaining the purpose of the most important literary devices in your song. Next, you will
write 1 new verse to the song, imitating the song writer’s style, use of literary devices, and intended theme.
Basically, your new stanza will be an additional opportunity for the song’s theme to come become even more
obvious. Lastly, you will create a poster that has the title of the song, your newly created verse, and a visual
representation of the most important literary devices used in your song.
STEPS TO THE PROJECT:
1. Choose a song from my class set of lyrics.
2. Text mark the lyrics for the literary devices above, analyzing for intended theme.
3. Write a literary analysis explaining the purpose and effect of the devices you found in the song.
4. Write 1 new verse to the song that imitates the song writer’s style and extends the theme.
5. Create a poster with the song’s title, new verse, and visual representations of important literary devices.
RUBRIC:
PTS. EARNED
Written Literary Analysis – Theme Paragraph
Includes a paragraph explanation of the song and a clear explanation of its overall theme.
In other words, what’s the basis of the song and what is the singer’s message?
25
Written Literary Analysis- Accuracy and Explanation of Literary Devices
Examples provided below the theme paragraph are the correct literary devices and an indepth analysis of the literary device and its purpose is given. 5 points per each example
(At least 5 examples must be given, particular device may be used more than once)
Poster- Creation of New Verse for Song
New verse accurately imitates the song writer’s style, use of literary devices, and intended
theme. The new verse can clearly be considered an extension of the original song’s theme.
Poster- Visual Representation of Literary Devices
Visual representations of the poetic devices are neatly drawn, clearly written, and overall
theme of the song is evident through the visual representations. 5 points for each image
(At least 5 examples must be given, particular device can be used more than once)
25
LAFS.7.RL.1.1
LAFS.7.RL.1.2 LAFS.7.RL.2.4
LAFS.7.W.1.2
LAFS.7.W.2.4
LAFS.7.W.3.9
25
25
LAFS.7.W.4.10
LAFS.7.RL.1.1
LAFS.7.RL.1.2 LAFS.7.RL.2.4
LAFS.7.W.1.2
LAFS.7.W.2.4
LAFS.7.W.3.9
LAFS.7.W.4.10