Analytical Research Paper

What You Will Do

1. Select a Song
2. Choose a song with substantive lyrics that allow for analytical depth. The song must be appropriate for academic discussion and approved by the instructor.
3. Develop an Arguable Thesis
4. Your thesis should make a specific claim about how the song works rhetorically.
5. Example structure:
6. In [Song Title], [Artist] uses [specific rhetorical strategies] to argue that [interpretive claim], positioning the song within [broader context].
7. Conduct Research
8. Incorporate at least two credible secondary sources, which may include:

• Scholarly articles
• Interviews with the artist
• Cultural or historical analysis
• Music criticism

1. Secondary sources should support and deepen your analysisnot replace it.
2. Integrate Evidence Effectively
3. Your essay must demonstrate:

• Clear distinction between summary, paraphrase, and quotation
• Proper use of signal phrases
• Accurate MLA in-text citations and Works Cited page
• Analysis that explains the significance of each quoted or paraphrased passage

1. Sustain Analysis
2. Each body paragraph should begin with a claim and include:

• Textual evidence from the song
• Interpretation of specific word choices
• Explanation of rhetorical impact
• Connection to your broader argument

1. Your final draft will be due on Thursday, March 12, 2026, by 11:59pm EST. This suubmission must be 4 full pages, Works Cited will be the 5th page. Compose in third person, present tense.

What This Is Not

• A personal reflection about why you like the song
• A summary of the lyrics
• A biography of the artist
• A music review

Your focus is analytical argument grounded in textual evidence.

Evaluation Criteria

Your essay will be evaluated based on:

• Strength and complexity of thesis
• Depth of rhetorical and literary analysis
• Effective integration of sources
• Organization and coherence
• MLA formatting accuracy
• Academic tone and clarity