YOUR WRITING TASK : Choose YOUR favourite protest song and present it to the class. Present the singer, the context, the lyrics ; Sum up its issue (s) (problem ,subject) etc. Select a protest song that deals with a strong political or social issue. Find out more about the artist and when the song was written. This might give you clues about his/her interests and beliefs. As well, this will give you insight into what was happening in the world when the artist wrote the song. Identify what the issue the song is protesting about .Read and carefully consider the lyrics. Make notes on important ideas, phrases, themes and techniques. Annotate a lyric sheet by circling key quotes and identifying techniques used. Note down descriptions of the sound and feel of the music in the song.Use the Protest Song Analysis worksheet and the outline below to organize your analysis. Hand in a clean copy of the lyrics with your analysis.

Protest Song Analysis Worksheet Name of Song:

Written by: Performed by: Release Date: _______________________________________________________________What is the message or theme of the song? What is the purpose of the song?

What were the political circumstances at the time the song was released?

Does the song seem to be written in response to a specific event?

Does the song suggest any solution(s) to the issues/problems addressed? Explain.

Who is the speaker (narrative voice) of the song? Is it the artist or are the lyrics from another person’s perspective?

To whom (or to what audience) is the song addressed? Explain.

Describe how this song makes you feel and why. In other words, what mood does the song convey? What elements within the song contribute to this mood?

How effective is this song as social protest? Explain.

Quote, identify, and explain at least 3 literary techniques found in the lyrics.

Quotation Literary Technique Explanation

Outline : A Protest Song Analysis (See Sample Protest Song Analysis: “If I had a Hammer” )

Paragraph 1 – Introduction• List the song’s title• The band/artist who perform it• The year / the time during which it was written / release date• Present the historical context and give some background information to “set the stage” for your analysis. ” (What relevant events are happening in North America or in Europe during the time of the song’s release?)• Mention the important issue the song protests or is about and its point of view• The style of the song and explain the song’s purpose.

Paragraph 2-• Describe or summarize the story and explain what is happening in the song • Who is the speaker? What is happening or what has happened? What is he/she protesting about? (Use quotations to support your ideas).

• This body paragraph should begin by giving an overview of what the first verse (or verses) of the song is about and how the musical tone of the song supports this.

Paragraph 3-• What are some of the powerful words or images in the song? What do they mean and how do they add power to the song? Are certain lines repeated? Why? Discuss techniques used to make the song more powerful.• Include and explain at least three literary techniques that make the song powerful

Paragraph 4- • What is the message in the song? Explain why the message is effective. What themes can you find in the song? • This should look at the chorus - what is the key message of the words and how does the

song’s style change (or not change) to re-inforce this.How effective is the songwriter in getting his/her message across ?

Final Paragraph – • How does the song finish? • What are the key words or feeling from the music that we are left to think about?• Identify a main idea in your chosen song and explain whether you agree or disagree with the songwriter’s opinion. Support your response with specific reference to the song and your own beliefs.

Techniques Used in Song Lyrics Song lyrics use literary techniques to give the song a powerful impact:

Repetition of a strong word, phrase or line emphasizes the idea and gives it power.

Example: “All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

Strong imagery uses visual word “pictures” to illustrate strong situations.

Example: “And I can see those fighter planes/Across tin huts as children sleep/Through the alleys of quiet city street.””

An allusion is made when a writer refers to something from history, a geographical location, a famous person or popular culture that an educated reader is expected to recognize. Allusions help writers to represent an idea. Example: “Like Judas of old you lie and deceive”

Rhyme “I scrutinize every word, memorize every line I spit it once, refuel, re-energize and rewind I give sight to the blind, my insight through the mind I exercise my right to express when I feel it's time”

Onomatopoeia is a word whose sound hints at its meaning.

Example: “Visions clash, planes crash”

Personification is giving human qualities to inanimate objects/things.

Example: “My blood’s so mad feels like coagulating’.”

Metaphors are comparisons that do not use like or as.

Example: the hammer in If I had a Hammer

Similes are comparisons that use like or as.

Example: “His face red like a rose on a thorn bush.”

Symbolism is using concrete/real objects/things to represent an important or abstract idea.

Example: a dove can represent peace