Song Analysis: An Introduction to Poetry Analysis with Song Lyrics

Hook your students for a poetry lesson or unit with this engaging song lyric analysis activity. All students love music, and music is poetry. It should follow that students love poetry. But, this isn’t usually the case. This activity bridges the gap so students can explore a connection between lyrics and poetry and learn to appreciate poetic form.

This activity uses five literary lenses (lyrical lenses) to analyze the lyrics of your students’ favorite songs: reader lens, formal lens, biographical lens, psychological lens, and artistic lens. For each activity students will analyze the lyrics and melody of their favorite song using that perspective.

This activity can be completed in digital or print format. The tasks are editable in PowerPoint (for printing) or Google Slides (for digital). *Please note the headings and clipart are not editable.

An example answer key is included. You can use this example as a model before students begin the assignment to provide them with more structure and direction, or you can use it as your example to share after students have completed the assignment.

What's included?

1. Editable PowerPoint for Printing
2. Editable Google Slides for assigning digitally
3. Directions for use
4. An example answer key

Check out the preview!

⭐ UPDATED WITH A NEW RE-DESIGN AND DIGITAL OPTION ON 3/24/2022