Prompting Student Writing and Examining a Range of Music Videos

Like many English teachers, I have used pictures

, poetry, artwork, short stories, neighborhood maps, and newspaper articles to prompt student writing. Music videos can also generate thoughtful and creative writing. Abstract, artful videos have proven potential for inspiring student writing and, while the music can be stimulating, muting the sound on a music video can bring the visual imagery to the forefront.

Narrative music videos often prove apt at prompting student writing. As with writing prompts that move young writers to pick up where a short story or novel left off or to write the back-story of character, narrative videos such as "Leave Before the Lights Come On" by Arctic Monkeys or "Savin' Me" by Nickelback spark student writing. In "Leave Before the Lights Come On," viewers are introduced to a young woman who attempts to Replica Omega Speedmaster meet prospective dates by standing on the ledge of a building and kicking her shoe down to the unsuspecting men below, hoping they will rush up to her rescue. Students might write her back-story or imagine where she goes from the end of the video. Likewise, Nickelback offers a brief, intriguing situation in the video for "Savin" Me." It opens with a man's life being saved by a stranger. The rescued man then has the ability to tell when the natural lives of those around him will end. With this ability, he saves a woman's life and passes on his ability in the process. The video's premise is a compelling one that young students might run with to ponder fate and the ability to control one's destiny, or to simply extend the story of the woman who winds up with the vision at the end of the video.

Sometimes it is the odd, unconventional, or downright silly events depicted in a music video that students latch onto in their writing. Music videos by The Flaming Lips, an alternative rock band, tend to fall into this category. Whether serenading elephants and employing people in rabbit suits in "Do You Realize:*?" or taping doughnuts to an unsuspecting woman and setting her loose before a ravenous pack of police officers in "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song," their videos tend to be outrageous enough to generate some creative writing. Likewise, the neo-soul duet Gnarls Barkley produces music videos that get writers moving. With the video for "Crazy," a series of images that serve as a Patek Philippe Replica take on the Rorschach ink blot test might strike some students, while the video for "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" offers everything from a couple's breakup to a singing, dancing human heart. What more creative inspiration could a young writer ask for?

The majority of the music videos that I have highlighted here for introducing literary terms, examining social commentary, and prompting student writing have been produced within the last decade. Many represent the work of prominent, Grammy Awardwinning contemporary artists that have sold millions of albums over the length of their careers. The videos highlighted here span a wide range of genres, including country, rap, and rock to hip-hop and heavy metal. Many of the music videos highlighted here reflect the artists and songs that fill the playlists of today's students. However, there are older videos that provide equally stimulating ELA potential, and the Internet makes them easy for students and teachers to explore. Use this article as a starting point and continue to search for music videos that can invigorate students' interest in English class.

Prompting Student Writing and Examining a Range of Music Videos

By: endeavor19

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