Assignment Sequence, Unit 1

Essay #1: Argument using close reading and listening

Develop an argument that supports or challenges Ralph Ellison's evaluation of Charlie Parker based on your analysis of the tune Now’s the Time.

You may use class readings/listening to support your argument. Your paper should be about 4 to 5 pages long.

Goals of this essay:

Ø To perform a close reading and listening, in support of a clear thesis. You’re making observations in order to use them as evidence in support of your thesis, not simply for their own sake.

Ø To structure your essay around your argument. Your structure should serve your thesis, and should build from one idea to the next. What is the most effective way to lead your reader through your argument? Which of your observations (such as those you made in HW 1) best supports your thesis? Organize your paper based on these concepts, rather than on the order of narrative in the Ellison essay.

Ø To incorporate outside sources and document them properly. You may find that your thesis will be strengthened by incorporating some observations about other musical excerpts, and/or by referring to a few of the readings, all of which require proper citation.

HW1: Active listening and discovering interesting issues

Listen to "Now's the Time" closely, according to Gridley’s “Listening Techniques” on p.11 and “Instrument Roles” on pages 18-25. Figure out which of the categories under “Chord Progressions and Tune Construction” apply. Jot down your observations.

Next, ask five questions about the piece of music. Choose moments in which the music or instrumental roles are unclear to you, or displeasing to you, or interesting to you in some way. Here are two of my own: What about Charlie Parker’s playing in the tune “Now’s the Time” seems humorous, and why? Can I dance to this, or is it purely intellectual?

Pre-draft 1: Reacting to Ellison, going with and against the grain.

Write one page in support of Ellison’s view of Charlie Parker’s music, and one page against it.

HW2: Understanding Ellison’s context; comparing music he liked to Charlie Parker's music.

Listen to Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues carefully, keeping in mind Ellison’s comments, comparing and contrasting it to the Charlie Parker selection. Devise ten criteria for describing a piece of music (e.g., danceability, easy-to-hum melody), and briefly state how the 2 recordings fulfill/don’t fulfill each.

Draft instructions:

Please include a cover letter, addressed to your readers. It should be about a page long. In it, include your comments on the following: What is the problem/puzzle I’m addressing in this essay (motive)? What was the hardest thing about writing this draft? (Finding a thesis? Structuring the essay? Getting started?) What aspect of this essay do you feel is the most successful? On what aspects of this essay would you most like to receive feedback?

Revision instructions:

Submit your revision via the Blackboard Dropbox.

Include a cover letter, addressed to me, focusing on at least some of these questions: How successful do you feel you were at revising your paper into something more effective? Was it harder to draft, or to revise? We focused a good deal on thesis, motive, and structure in unit one; how well do you feel you handled these elements in your paper? What is your thesis? What do you like best about your paper?