Part I.
Before you begin your essay, read the reviews below and answer the following questions for 2 of them. What is each author’s style? Style can be very formal, very casual, or somewhere in between. What writing choices does each author make to indicate their style? What activities do you think both authors had to do to complete their reviews? What did they have to read, listen to, watch, etc.? How do you know? Which argument is more convincing? Why? Discuss two writing techniques that were effective. How can you use these techniques in your essay?
Part II. Now it’s your turn. Don’t forget! Your artist must be African American and have been performing professionally before 1980! Also, because he typically makes up 25% of the paper topics, Micheal Jackson is off-limits.
Introduce your album and artist: include basic facts about the release date, promotional tours, singles released, and significant biographical information. However, only include autobiographical information that is relevant to your argument. See how the sample reviews use background information to prove their points. Tell how the album relates to other albums or work from the artist. Is this album part of a trend in the artist’s work or is it something new? Remember, this section like the next one should be making an argument, using evidence and analysis to support it. Explain how the artist and album relate to other genres or sub genres in African American music. Does it stand alone or is it similar to what other artists were/are doing? This should be the most substantial and specific section of your review. It should make specific reference to course material, make specific reference to external sources and provide specific analysis of the artist’s music. Describe the album’s “stand out” tracks? Why do they standout? Which tracks are less interesting? Why? Be very specific, using examples from the album.
Finally. what is your overall impression of the album? Rate the album on a scale
Sample Solution
