Write an essay which assesses a particular musical product, a CD, or a concert performance.  Your assessment should include an introduction to the artist and a thesis providing your overall judgment about the CD/performance, etc.  You might provide background information, about where/how your chosen subject fits into the genre, and you should state how the CD/performance fits into the body of the artists work. Most of the essay should be evaluation, analysis, and description of the music itself (In a CD or Concert, Analyze 5-7 representative songs). 

The essay must include descriptions of the sound of the music, as well as discussion of lyrics, sociopolitical elements/messages, and musical/harmonic elements, and possible comparison with similar artists. You can also describe your emotional/psychological response to the music. Your conclusion should add a final perspective. Sources are not required, but any research sources must be direct quotes only, in MLA format (in-text citations and a Works Cited List), 8th edition. It is not necessary to cite the lyrics with MLA citation, since your source is clear from your chosen topic. Sources must be underlined in essay and Works Cited

Note that a requisite part of this assignment is a description of the sound of the music itself.  Such a description should comprise approximately 5-10% of the paper, or 2-3 sentences per song.

Musical dimensions:  Typically, the consideration of music in the essay will have various dimensions, including analyses of the music itself (type, style, tones, rhythm, structure, vocals, sound description) and messagewhich may occur through lyrics or through the sounds/rhythms (even pauses) in the music itself.

YOUR ESSAY COULD EVALUATE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, BUT YOU WOULD STILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THE CONCEPT OF MESSAGEIN THIS CASE RELATED THROUGH ONLY THE SOUNDS.