| Song Elements | Explanation of Elements |
| Intention | targeted genre; purpose of song; achieve intention? |
| Singer's gender | unisex lyric? specific to gender? |
| Written for specific context | a play, revue, musical, tv theme, etc. |
| Song title | let us guess!! |
| LISTEN TO THE WORKING TAPE | |
| Title
Repetition |
is it apparent? is another phrase competing for the title?
does it sum up what the song is about?
satisfy the listener's need to recognize the familiar: repeat important words and/or lines for emphasis--especially the title |
| Form
Unity |
progress logically? bridge add a new dimension to the plot?
is chorus reasonable outcome of verses? does form support & enhance
song's purpose?
treat plot details with a length appropriate to their importance; weave the elements of time, action and place into a harmonious whole to create a single general effect. |
| Backdrop
Coherence |
is setting of story clear? are transitions in time/place/etc.
well defined?
place ideas in ascending order of importance and maintain a logical chronology from line to line. |
| Plotline
Simplicity |
1/2 way through, can the song pass the who, what, where, when and why
test? is ONE clear emotion or thought expressed?
single idea, eliminate sub-plots; plot can be summarized in one short sentence? |
| Emotional Content
Specificity |
does the song express a universally understood meaning? can you
imagine several important artists singing these words? satisfactory
emotional conclusion?
prefer the particular to the general and the concrete to the abstract; try to show an emotion, rather than tell it. |
| Syntax
Clarity Compression |
is the language conversational? do you know who is speaking,
thinking, feeling (pronouns)? is there clutter (unnecessary words)?
include key pronouns to identify who is talking/thinking; make clear to the ear any shift in viewpoint, voice, time frame, or setting. every word carries meaning; unnecessary adjectives and adverbs weaken the emotional impact. |
| Rhyming | are sounds varied enough? too many of one kind of rhyme? any "tricky" rhymes that are awkward? |
| Prosody
Emphasis |
do important words fall on important notes? are the words and
music "married"? space for singer to breathe? open vowels on
sustained words at ends of phrases? any confusing words (stare, stair)?
prefer one-syllable words and active verbs; place content words (verbs & nouns) at end of lines; melody is used to place emphasis on important words. |
| Genuine Feeling
Universality |
write about situations and emotions you understand. There is
no substitute for sincerity.
does the song strike a common chord? is it about characters you recognize in situations you understand? would you want to hear the song again and again? |
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