Short Paper Assignment Basics: There Will Be Four Short Pape
Short Paper Assignment basics There Will Be Four Short Papers Assigned T
There will be four short papers assigned throughout the term. They are to be typed, double-spaced in a 12-point Times New Roman or similar font with standard margins. These papers should be 2-3 pages in length and will be worth up to 20 points each. The purpose of the short papers is to give you the opportunity to put the ideas from the readings from the week into your own words and to make connections between those ideas and your own experiences of music.
The assignment involves two main questions: What are the main points of at least two of the readings for the week? How do these ideas compare to your experiences of music? In your response to the first question, summarize the main ideas in your own words, citing the page numbers (e.g., "Kivy, 15"). Proper citation includes author name and page number at each point; a single citation at the end of a paragraph is not sufficient. In addressing the second question, provide specific personal examples of experiences with music—such as concerts, songs, or music videos—that relate to the readings. The more specific and detailed the examples, the better. For example, saying "I attended a Handel’s ‘Messiah’ performance where I experienced..." is more concrete than general statements. You must provide at least three distinct points of connection between your experiences and the readings.
Your short papers will be evaluated based on the accuracy of the summaries (properly cited), the relevance and clarity of your personal examples, and how effectively you explain the connections between your experiences and the academic ideas.
Paper For Above instruction
This week’s assignment focuses on critically engaging with the philosophical and scientific perspectives on music as explored through the assigned readings. The core objective is to analyze the main ideas presented in the texts and relate them to your personal musical experiences, fostering both comprehension and reflection.
In the first part of the paper, you will identify and summarize the central arguments of at least two specified readings. For instance, Peter Kivy’s exploration of the philosophy of music emphasizes the significance of both the formal and emotional qualities of musical works (Kivy, 22). His discussion underscores the importance of understanding music not merely as a collection of sounds but as an art form capable of conveying complex emotional states. Similarly, Daniel Levitin’s insights in "This Is Your Brain on Music" highlight the neural processes involved in music perception, emphasizing the cognitive and emotional responses elicited by musical stimuli (Levitin, 45). Your summaries should accurately reflect these ideas in your own words, accompanied by precise page references.
Next, you will connect these ideas to your own musical experiences. For example, you might discuss how attending a classical concert reinforced Kivy’s point about the emotional expression in music. You could describe how a specific piece made you experience a profound emotional response, aligned with Kivy’s assertions. Additionally, you might relate Levitin’s discussion of the brain’s response to rhythmic patterns by recalling a time when a song’s beat made you want to dance, illustrating how musical rhythms influence your bodily reactions. Finally, consider a moment when listening to certain music heightened your emotional awareness, echoing the readings’ emphasis on music’s emotional capacity.
This exercise encourages a nuanced understanding of both the theoretical frameworks and personal engagement with music. Proper citation of ideas, detailed personal examples, and clear explanations of the connections will contribute to a well-rounded and compelling short paper. Remember to adhere to the formatting guidelines: 2-3 pages, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, with standard margins.
References
- Kivy, Peter. (Year). Philosophy of Music. Publisher.
- Levitin, Daniel. (Year). This Is Your Brain on Music. Publisher.
- Plato. (Year). Republic, Book VII. Translator, Publisher.
- Plato. (Year). Republic, Book X. Translator, Publisher.
- Hegel. (Year). Introduction to the Philosophy of Art. Publisher.