FinalPaperInstructions.pdf

Paper Assignment

There is one paper required in this class. Choose a singer (male, female or group) of
any style or genre, who is not covered in class,

Your paper will answer the question: “Do the texts of his or her songs reflect the gender
ideas of his/her historical period?” If yes, explain why. If no, defend your point of view.

● Choose and listen to 4-5 songs that support your point of view. Using the
selected songs illustrate your argument.

● Write as if to someone who is familiar with the readings and the class to convince
him/her of your point of view.

● Your paper should be a minimum of 5 pages in length of discussion, 12-point font,
doubled-spaced with 1” margins. (This should be about 1500 words). You may
include the lyrics in the body of your paper in single spaced 8pt font inserted as a
table so as not waste lots of space or you may attach them at the end.

Grade will be based on:

“Do the texts of his or her songs reflect the gender ideas of his/her historical period?” If
yes, explain why. If no, defend your point of view.

A (5) B (4) C (3) D/F (2/1)
Content (35)
Answers the
Question

Clear explanation
of gender ideals of
period; convincing
argument stating
whether or not
songs fit those
ideals

Explanation of
gender ideals of
period needs
further
development;
needs clearer
statement of
whether or not
songs fit those
ideals

Explanation of
gender ideals of
period needs
further
development;
lacks convincing
statement of
whether or not
songs fit those
ideals

Explanation of
gender ideals of
period is missing;
lacks clear
statement of
whether or not
songs fit those
ideals; not
convincing

Describes when
songs popular

Accurately
describes when
song was popular;
focusing on its
reception

Some discussion
of reception; some
discussion of
performer’s
biography

More discussion
of biography and
less of songs’
reception

Ignores reception
and or focuses on
biography

Relates to historical
context

Clear logical
relation to and
explanation of
historical context

Explanation needs
further detail

Explanation is not
logical or
convincing

Historical context
missing

Explains ideals or
archetypes of
decade

Clear, convincing
explanation

Explanation needs
further detail

Explanation is not
logical or
convincing

Explanation
missing

Discusses 3-5 songs Specific examples
and detailed
descriptions.

Some use of
specific examples
and detailed
descriptions.

Little use of
specific examples
and details

No use of
examples

Includes material
from readings and
discussions

Exceptionally
well-integrated;
supports claims

Well integrated
and support the
paper’s claims.

Support some
claims made in the
paper, but might

The paper does
include material
from class &

argued in the
paper very
effectively.

There may be
occasional errors

not be integrated
well within the
paper’s argument.

discussions or if it
does, the sources
are not integrated
well.

Conclusion relates
to the thesis
sentence

Logically ties
argument together

Relates to thesis,
but not fully
convincing

Contains unrelated
material

No conclusion

A (5) B (4) C (3) D/F (2/1)
Writing (15)
Organization:
Overall

Well-planned and
well-thought out.
Includes title,
introduction,
statement of main
idea, transitions
and conclusion.

Good overall
organization,
includes the main
organizational
tools.

There is a sense of
organization,
although some of
the organizational
tools are used
weakly or missing

No sense of
organization

Sentence structure Sentences are clear
and varied in
pattern, from
simple to complex,
with excellent use
of punctuation.

Sentences are clear
but may lack
variation; a few
may be awkward
and there may be a
few punctuation
errors.

Sentences are
generally clear but
may have
awkward structure
or unclear content;
there may be
patterns of
punctuation errors.

Sentences aren’t
clear

Grammar &
Mechanics

Excellent
grammar, spelling,
syntax and
punctuation.

A few errors in
grammar, spelling,
syntax and
punctuation, but
not many.

Shows a pattern of
errors in spelling,
grammar, syntax
and/or
punctuation.
Could also be a
sign of lack of
proof-reading.

Continuous errors

● Due date: See Course Schedule

While the primary goal of these papers is to have you think critically about the lyrics
of these songs, applying what you have learned from reading and class discussions,
it can be helpful to explore other sources for recordings and articles about various
styles, performers, and composers. The WSU library has excellent resources for
this purpose. If you use material from any source, be certain to cite that source.

Online & library resources:
Go to WSU Library page
● Click on “Find Journal Articles”
● Choose “Music” in “Databases by subject” bar
● American Song – articles and recordings that are especially pertinent for this

class
● You may also:

o Click “Cross Search”
o Choose “Music” in the subject bar
o Type in Women in Music in the line under #3
o A long list of articles will be displayed, so you might want to narrow the

topic to a very specific topic such as “Women in Punk”
● Contact Bob Matuozzi, [email protected], who is the reference librarian for

American and English , Fine Arts, Music, Philosophy, Religion.
● Music for analysis can also be found on iTunes and YouTube.