Unit Outline

Songwriting gives you the tools and opportunity to express yourself through the development of your own original songs. In this unit you will study compositional techniques integral to song writing through a focus on using and communicating in a variety of forms: melodies, rhythms, harmonies, song structures, and lyrics. However, you will go beyond technical knowledge to align emotional intent with your musical choices, reflecting on your own work and learning from the work of other songwriters. Ultimately, you will compose and present a portfolio of original songs, ready to share your work with the wider world and prepared for further study in songwriting.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Apply technical knowledge to compose original songs
2	Reflect on the songwriting process, illustrating emotional intent and analytical thinking through creative practice
3	Identify and apply elements of diverse musical traditions through creative practice
4	Document musical works using musical conventions and recordings

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Task 1: Analysis of a Contemporary Song	Week 5	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Task 2: Songwriter Brief 1	Week 10	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Task 3: Song and Score Analysis	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Task 4: Songwriter Brief 2	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Task 5: Composition and presentation	Refer to Assessment Description	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Task 1: Analysis of a Contemporary Song

Task Description:

This task is designed to develop your research and analysis skills while learning about how an understanding of musical elements in conjunction with historical/cultural context may influence your songwriting.

In this task you are required to select a song (of interest or you can identify with), research and analyse that song in line with class discussions/lectures and a list of analysis *focus points, as supplied by your teacher. The analysis should involve critical listening, contain evidence of understanding technical, musical and cultural contexts, and be cited and referenced.

*For example, focus points might include: style, structure, use of melody & rhythm, harmonic language, compositional techniques and socio/historical/cultural perspective

Week Due Term 1, Week 5

Task Length:

800-1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research on the selected song, incorporating critical listening to identify and understand its structure, melody, lyrical constructs, and harmonic language	LO2, LO3
2	Analyse and reflect upon songwriting techniques and musical elements in the context of the chosen song	LO1, LO3, LO4
3	Communicate findings and ideas in writing using academic conventions	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Task 2: Songwriter Brief 1

Task Description:

•Compose and present an original song to given specifications (use a recognised/proven harmonic progression and structure commonly used in song-writing history).
•Provide an accompanying reflection on the creative process and an analysis of song-writing techniques and influences.
•Provide lyrics and chord progressions for your piece using basic traditional
notation conventions.
•Present the song as a recording using simple studio techniques.

Week Due Term 1, Week 10

Task Length:

Song 2-5 minutes; Analysis/Reflection 500 - 800 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use musical elements and song writing techniques in the creation of songs	LO1, LO4
2	Document and reflect critically on project processes and outcomes	LO2, LO3
3	Apply fundamental musical conventions and traditional music notation in the presentation of work	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Task 3: Song and Score Analysis

Task Description:

Provide an analysis of a Contemporary Song and Score (score/sheet music analysis – defining terms and annotation to support analysis. Written commentary relating to style, structure, use of melody & rhythm, harmonic language, socio/historical/cultural perspective (if applicable)

Week Due Term 2, Week 4

Task Length:

800 - 1000 words + annotated score

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research on the selected song, incorporating score analysis to identify and understand its structure, melody, lyrical constructs, and harmonic language	LO2, LO3
2	Analyse and reflect upon songwriting techniques and musical elements in the context of the chosen song	LO2, LO3
3	Communicate findings and ideas through writing and annotation, and using academic conventions	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Task 4: Songwriter Brief 2

Task Description:

•Compose and present an original song to given specifications and/or theme (Use recognised/proven lyrical devices and structure commonly used in song-writing history).
•Present the song as a recording using simple studio techniques.
•Provide lyrics and a basic score for your piece using basic traditional notation conventions.
•Provide an accompanying reflection on the creative process and an analysis of your song-writing techniques and influences.

Week Due Term 2, week 7

Task Length:

Song 2 - 5 minutes; analysis/reflection 500 - 800 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use musical elements and song writing techniques in the creation of songs	LO1, LO4
2	Document and reflect critically on project processes and outcomes	LO2, LO3
3	Apply knowledge and music technologies to create and record own songs	LO1, LO4
4	Apply fundamental musical conventions and traditional music notation in the presentation of work	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Task 5: Composition and presentation

Task Description:

•Compose and present two (2) contrasting songs to given specifications (Use recognised/proven song writing techniques commonly used in song-writing history)
•Provide a score for each song (including lyric, harmonic progression, form, stylistic intent, performance indicators. Some traditional music notation must be evidenced as a part of the submission).
•Provide an accompanying reflection on the creative process and an analysis of your song-writing techniques and influences for both songs..
•Present via recordings you have carried out, a realisation of each song using foundational studio equipment and techniques.

Week Due Term 3, week 10

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.