Download Analysis Assignment - Northern State University

Analysis Assignment
I will assign you a short piece, 3 to 15 minutes long. Please locate a recording, study the music, and write an analysis (a paper).
You will receive a 90 if you accurately describe the music in prose with the aid of diagrams, tables, graphs and/or arch maps. Though
content is most important, I expect succinct writing, proper grammar and correct spelling for a 90. In order to receive more points, you
must also analyze and interpret what you have described. In other words, you must tell how or why your piece of music works and, by
extension, how it might have been composed or how it might be performed, heard or taught.
Submit the following items:
1. a photocopy of your piece with measure numbers
2. a recording of your piece (perhaps a url)
3. elucidative graphics
4. 3–5 pages of text printed with a computer
Tips:
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Listen to the music repeatedly. You will undoubtedly hear things you will not see. Your ear knows.
You may photocopy the score and include legible hand-written analytic notes.
The text should:
1. have a clear focus/thesis;
2. be concise;
3. have an introduction that introduces;
4. have a logical organization that supports the thesis;
5. refer to the music with measure numbers;
6. support all ideas with specific examples;
7. have a conclusion that concludes; and
8. use standard edited American English.
From “Things to remember while writing essays” by Dr. Lysbeth Benkert-Rasmussen:
1. Do not replace a thesis statement with a “self-referential” statement (“In this essay I will . . .”). Many students use this as a shortcut
and rather than stating their main point, just tell us what their topic is. Make sure you are not falling into this trap.
8. The use of passive voice should be kept to a minimum. Um, I mean, “Use the passive voice minimally.” Use the active voice and
descriptive verbs as often as possible.
9. The use of rhetorical questions should be kept to a minimum or eliminated entirely.
10. Use present tense when analyzing literature {music}; use the past tense when writing about historical events (we still have the
literature {music}; we no longer have the author {composer}--there’s a difference).