Date: _____________________ Writers: ______________________________________

Title: __________________________________________________________________

Written for: _____________________________________________________________

PRE-DRAFT FOCUSING QUIZ

AN IDENTIFIABLE IDEA

What one idea or emotion or thought will the lyric express?

self-assertive
grateful
puzzled
ironic
pleading
resentful
resigned
confused
self-pitying
tongue-in-cheek
wistful
apologetic
inspirational
lighthearted
affirmative
thoughtful
romantic
proud
hopeful
other.......

With what universal element do you expect your audience to identify?

A MEMORABLE TITLE

Create the title: ____________________________________________________________

antonyms
alliteration
atlas
calendar
rainbow
conversations
colloquialisms/slang
word switches
maxims
adages and epigrams
poetry
favourite line from films books (titles, lines)
one word title
other: ________________________________________________________

A STRONG START

The first line: ______________________________________________________________

Does the first line grip the listener? (options)

the question
the greeting
the time frame
the provocative statement
the suggestion or request
the situation
the setting
the visual image
the occupation

WHO IS SINGING? male? female? potential duet?

What is the relationship of the singer to the listener?

Is the singer addressing:

a particular "you"?
a universal "you"?

Is the singer:

thinking the lyric?
talking to someone?
is it an interior monologue?
one side of a conversation?

WHAT OTHER ELEMENT DO YOU PLAN TO PARTICULARIZE?
Circumstances. What are they? ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Setting. Where is it? ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Singer. Who is telling the story? _______________________________________________

Listener. Who is it? _________________________________________________________

A story or vignette. Briefly sum up. _____________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

WHAT IS THE SETTING?

Is there a specific setting? yes no. Where? ___________________________________

If there is more than one, how will you make the transition clear? _______________________
________________________________________________________________________

WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME?

Is the action taking place now? YES or NO

Is the action over? YES or NO

Is the clock moving? YES or NO

Is there a flashback or a flashforward?

IN WHAT SONG FORM WILL YOU WRITE?

AAA
AABA
Verse/Chorus
Modified Form:

THE PAYOFF
Which technique are you using to achieve the emotional payoff? _____________________

tension
Conversational debate (clash or harmonious)
question plot
conflict
turnaround
twist
suspense story
circular lyric (coming full circle)

Define use of technique verse by verse (through your chosen format).
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________