Motifs in Literature: Lyrics Project

Motifs in Literature: Lyrics Project • QUEST 6th Grade English 2013 LIFE CYCLE COMING OF AGE OUTCAST

What is a motif(moh-TEEF) • a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature

MOTIF: QUEST Going on a journey where the hero/heroine performs difficult tasks and overcomes obstacles to achieve their ultimate goal LOOK FOR: Journey, Tasks, Obstacles GENRES: Fantasy, Folklore, Fiction, Non-Fiction COMMON TOPICS: Courage, Justice, Bravery, Survival, War, Love, Freedom

MOTIF: LIFE CYCLE Significant times, events, or periods in a person’s life from birth to death -often told through metaphors as seasons of the year or just a day LOOK FOR: Times, Events, Significant Circle GENRES: Biographies/realistic fiction COMMON TOPICS: Family, Seasons, Death, Nature, Growing up, Birth

MOTIF: COMING OF AGE Search for individual identity, loss of innocence, and growth from life’s experience LOOK FOR: Life before-> Transformative experience –> Life after GENRE: Any genre COMMON TOPICS: Self-reliance, Survival, Freedom, Society, Identity, Trust, Success, Love, Growth

MOTIF: OUTCAST Isolation or exclusion of a character from society- either socially, culturally, or physically voluntarily or involuntarily LOOK FOR: Outside of thegroup; Social, Physical, Cultural GENRE: Any genre COMMON TOPICS: Isolation, Society, Justice, Trust, Violence, Hate, Race Relations, Loss of Innocence

MOTIFS IN MUSIC Motifs can be found in music lyrics as well… Some of our favorite songs exhibit clear examples of these motifs. Let’s look at the lyrics to Michael Jackson’s award-winning song “Man on the Mirror”

“Man in the Mirror” Written by Siedah Garrett & Glen Ballard Performed by Michael Jackson, 1988 1. Gotta make a change, 2. For once in my life, 3. It's gonna feel real good, 4. Gonna make a difference, 5. Gonna make it right. 6. As I turned up the collar on, 7. My favorite winter coat, 8. This wind is blowin' my mind, 9. I see the kids in the street, 10. With not enough to eat, 11. Who am I to be blind, 12. Pretending not to see their needs. 13. A summer's disregard, 14. A broken bottle top, 15. And one man's soul, 16. They follow each other, 17. On the wind ya' know, 18. 'Cause they got nowhere to go, 19. That's why I want you to know. 20. I'm starting with the man in the mirror, 21. I'm asking him to change his ways, 22. And no message could have been any clearer, 23. If you wanna make the world a better place, 24. Take a look at yourself and then make a change, 25. Na nana, nanana, nananana. 26. I've been a victim of, 27. A selfish kinda love, 28. It's time that I realize, 29. There are some with no home, 30. Not a nickel to loan, 31. Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone. 32. A willow deeply scarred, 33. Somebody's broken heart, 34. And a washed out dream, 35. (Washed out dream), 36. They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see, 37. 'Cause they got no place to be, 38. That's why I'm starting with me.

39. I'm starting with the man in the mirror, 40. I'm asking him to change his ways, 41. And no message could have been any clearer, 42. If you wanna make the world a better place, 43. Take a look at yourself and then make a change. 44. I'm starting with the man in the mirror, 45. I'm asking him to change his ways, 46. And no message could have been any clearer, 47. If you wanna make the world a better place, 48. Take a look at yourself and then make a change. 49. I'm starting with the man in the mirror, 50. (Man in the mirror, oh yeah), 51. I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah, 52. (Change), 53. No message could have been any clearer, 54. If you wanna make the world a better place, 55. Take a look at yourself and then make the change, 56. You gotta get it right, while you got the time, 57. 'Cause when you close your heart, 58. (You can't close your, your mind), 59. Then you close your mind. 60. (That man, that man, that man), 61. (That man, that man, that man), 62. (With the man in the mirror, oh yeah), 63. (That man you know, that man you know), 64. (That man you know, that man you know), 65. I'm asking him to change his ways, 66. (Change), 67. No message could have been any clearer, 68. If you wanna make the world a better place, 69. Take a look at yourself then make that change. 70. (Na nana, nanana, nananana)… THE END

Which motif do you see? Coming of Age because the speaker has a loss of innocence, and makes a change in the way he views himself and his role in society

Let’s look at another example: "Time" – From Dark Side of the Moon, 1973 Pink Floyd Written and performed by Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Syd Barrett, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and Bob Klose 1. Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day2. Fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way3. Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town4. Waiting for someone or something to show you the way5. Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain6. You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today7. And then one day you find ten years have got behind you8. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun 9. And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking10. Racing around to come up behind you again11. The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older12. Shorter of breath and one day closer to death…

13. Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time14. Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines15. Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way16. The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say17. Home, home again18. I like to be here when I can19. When I come home cold and tired20. It's good to warm my bones beside the fire21. Far away, across the field22. The tolling of the iron bell23. Calls the faithful to their knees24. To hear the softly spoken magic spell THE END

Which motif do you see? Life Cycle because the speaker experiences a sense of loss for the time he has wasted in his life. He also mentions the sun setting and rising again, which is a metaphor for his life

ARE YOU READY TO GET STARTED???

PROJECT GUIDELINES • Step 1: Prewriting • Study the lyrics to several songs to find recurring patterns and themes. • Choose a song that represents one of the motifs we studied in class: • Outcast, Coming of Age, Quest, or Life Cycle • Complete the organizers to paraphrase the lyrics and prove your song fits the motif’s criteria.

PROJECT GUIDELINES • Step 2: Drafting • Paragraph 1: Background Information • Who wrote the song? • Who performed the song? • What is the song about? • Paragraph 2: Motif • How does the song meet the motif's criteria? • (Be sure to explain with specific support from the lyrics) • Paragraph 3: Personal Connection Suggestions: • Do you like this song? • How does it make you feel? • Of what does it remind you? • Why did you choose this song?

PROJECT GUIDELINES • Step 3: Revising • Using a peer revision check sheet based on the rubric for this project, you will exchange papers with a partner to give and receive feedback. • This is your opportunity to receive a valuable critique, so be prepared with materials! • Based upon the peer feedback you received, you will revise your paper to be sure all criteria are included.

PROJECT GUIDELINES • Step 4: Editing • You will trade your revised paper with a partner to edit for conventional errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.) • Again, this is an important step of the writing process, so be prepared with materials!!

PROJECT GUIDELINES • Step 5: Publishing • You will turn in a neat, typed copy of your final paper, along with the rubric! • FINAL PROJECT DUE: DECEMBER 16th OR BEFORE • (YES, YOU MAY TURN YOUR PROJECT IN EARLY!)

6th Grade English MotifsPresentationGuidelines • Think about the motifs we’ve studied this year and select a song that represents at least one of them. For your presentation, complete the presentation organizer and follow these requirements: • All song lyrics must be typed or written by hand in blue or black ink. • You may play a CD or iPod version of the song, but you must provide the lyrics. • Number the lines (see graphic organizer). • Name the songwriter and, if different, the performer. • Make sure your chosen song is school-appropriate in content and language. If you have any doubts, check with me beforehand. I will reject a song that I consider inappropriate. • You will be graded on how well your song illustrates the motif, the depth of your analysis, and how well you’ve prepared your presentation. PRACTICE!! • HAVE YOUR 1st DRAFT READY FOR PEER REVISION ON: MONDAY, DEC. 2nd • This draft requires a parent signature!

MOTIF PRESENTATION SCORING RUBRIC • MOTIF PROJECT SCORING RUBRIC • Name______________________ Class # _____ Date ____________ • Name of song______________________ Main Motif ________________ • Writer (s) and performer (s) ____________________________ • CONTENT: • Provides a summary of the song • Song is a good example of the motif • Connects lines/phrases to motif characteristics • Describes significance of figurative language • Explains the song’s theme and mood • Includes personal response to piece • Displays lyrics with numbered lines • Completed written analysis (organizer) • Describes other literary elements (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole) • TOTAL • PRESENTATION: • Voice – strong and varied • Eye contact with audience • Practice is evident • Listens to other presentations • TOTAL • PRESENTATION TOTAL: _______ /5 /5 /5 /5 /5 /10 /10 /10 /5 /5 /10 /10 /85 /3 /2 /5 /5 /15 /100

Read over the project sheet/rubric that I am passing out to you… WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

Motifs in Literature: Lyrics Project