FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS • 3-4 pages (not including works cited or title pages) • Double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins • Works cited page with at least 2 citations (your choice of style manual, but be consistent) • Parenthetical citations if necessary (use any time you are using exact quotes) OVERVIEW For this writing assignment, you have two options: 1) You may choose a composer or artist and discuss his or her life and contributions to music history, or 2) You may choose a genre of music and discuss the history and style of the genre and notable artists within the genre. PICKING A PAPER TOPIC If you decide to choose a non-classical artist for your paper, it needs to be an artist that has had a somewhat substantial impact on the music industry, meaning the artist must have been around for long enough for him or her to have had an impact (this includes living artists and artists who are still active). For instance, if you wanted to pick a rapper, it would be best to pick someone like Tupac or the Wu-Tang Clan, and not someone like Future or Cardi B. As a general rule, only pick artists who have been active for at least 15 years (there should be a “years active” section on their Wikipedia page). If you decide to do your paper on a genre or style of music, you must pick a genre that is narrow enough so that there isn’t too much information to cover, but broad enough so that you have enough to talk about. For instance, don’t just pick “jazz,” as that is much too broad, but instead, you can narrow it down to “bebop.”
SUBMITTING YOUR PAPER TOPIC (DUE 3/26) When you choose the topic of your paper, even if it is from the list of pre-approved composers, submit your topic to the Blackboard Link by the deadline listed at the top of this page. It is possible that I may decide that your chosen topic is too narrow, too broad, or not substantial enough for the project, in which case I will inform you of your options. NOTE: I will only contact you about your paper topic if I think that it should be revised. SUBMITTING YOUR COMPLETED PAPER (Due 4/29) When you have completed the paper, please upload the finished product as a PDF (preferred) or a Word Document to the Blackboard link. Please do not upload a file other than PDF or Word. If you are writing your paper in a program other than Word, there is always a way to convert a text document into a PDF (i.e. FileExport As, PrintPrint to PDF, etc.). GRADING You will be graded on the content of your paper, your ability to concisely discuss said content, and the quality/clarity of the writing. STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM Every paper uploaded to Blackboard is automatically checked for plagiarism, and any instance of plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you are found to have plagiarized all or parts of your paper, it will result in the paper being graded as a “0” and could also result in additional consequences. For further information, please refer to the “Academic Integrity Code” section of the syllabus. PAPER OUTLINE If you are writing a paper on a COMPOSER/ARTIST: • Part 1 (1 page) o For classical composers: An overview of the stylistic concerns of musicians within the composer’s style period (e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or 20th Century) and how the chosen composer’s works represent the style period. o For non-classical artists: An overview of the political, social, or musical context of the time period in which the artist was active, and how that context relates to your chosen artist (in other words, put the artist in the context of the time). • Part 2 (1-2 pages) – A brief biography of the composer’s life, which can include (but is not limited to): o How the composer was employed and any important positions held (mostly for Classical composers) o Important musical, personal, or historical events that either affected the composer’s musical career or our perception of the composer o Important works o Influences on the composer’s style o Critical reception of the composer’s music during his or her life o Any other information you deem important to cover • Part 3 (1 page) – A discussion of the styles, genres of music, or other composers in which the composer had (or continues to have) the most influence. If you are writing a paper on a GENRE: • Part 1 (1 page) – An overview of the development of the genre (i.e. how did the genre start). As an example, Grunge music didn’t just “happen,” it began as a musical movement mainly in the Seattle area of Washington and was an outgrowth of 80’s punk rock. This should also include a discussion of the musical features that define the genre. • Part 2 (1-2 pages) – A discussion of the history of the genre, which can include (but is not limited to): o Influential artists that are associated with the genre o Important stylistic or historic milestones that helped define the genre o Any political, social, or musical movement in which the genre is associated o The general reception of or reaction to the genre (good or bad) o Any other information you deem important to cover • Part 3 (1 page) – A discussion of current artists of the genre and where the genre seems to be heading (some of this can be opinion).
