Please note that some Taylor Swift songs do contain mature themes or language. In this class, we will always defer to the album version of the song (which may have expletives) rather than radio edits (which generally do not have expletives). We also may compare and contrast the album version feels compared to the radio edit, diving deep into how the use of expletives effects the impact of the song.

Below are my general classroom rules and policies. These will also be explained to students when we begin class!
-For everyone's safety, and to ensure an engaging and social experience, students are required to have working microphones and video for the entirety of this class, positioned such that we can both hear and see them. Please be sure to prepare your student for this requirement before class begins!
-Students are asked not to use filters or virtual backgrounds-- though if there is an important reason to use a virtual background, please just let me know ahead of time that your student will be using one (no questions asked!).
-Students will be asked to introduce themselves by sharing their name, pronoun, and a favorite book.
-The Zoom text chat is set to "host only", meaning students can chat with me, but not to one another or the entire classroom.

Previous lessons:
Week of December 11: The Early Narrative ("Tim McGraw")
-Examining narrative perspective and imagery
-The role of allusion in connecting with listeners' experiences

Week of December 18: Satirical Voices ("Blank Space")
-Understanding the use of satire and dramatic monologue
-The power of antithesis in storytelling

-No class the week of December 25 (families are not charged for this skipped week)

Week of January 1 : Metaphor and Imagery ("New Years Day")
-The use of imagery and metaphor to create emotional connection.
-Analyzing themes of love, loyalty, and the ephemeral nature of time.

Week of January 8:  The Epic Ballad ("All Too Well")
-Exploring the extended metaphor and its emotional impact
-The art of storytelling through dynamic shifts in tone

Week of January 15: Tension and Release ("Out of the Woods")
-Structural analysis of chorus and bridge to build tension
-The role of anaphora and refrain in musical storytelling

Week of January 22: Intimate Acoustics ("Lover")
-The interplay of meter and rhythm in creating intimacy
-Symbolism and its role in evoking nostalgia

Week of January 29: Narrative World-Building ("Cardigan")
-The creation of a narrative universe through symbolic language
-Personification as a tool for emotional connection

Week of February 5: Voice of a Generation ("Only The Young")
-Analyzing synecdoche and metonymy in political commentary
-The use of imperative mood as a rhetorical device

Week of February 12: The Art of Reflection ("Mirrorball")
-The use of similes and metaphors in reflecting self-image
-The crafting of complex internal rhyme schemes

Week of February 19: Genre Fusion ("I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault]")
-The juxtaposition of colloquial language with sophisticated storytelling
-Use of irony and humor in lyrical narrative

Week of February 26: Romantic Reimaginings ("Love Story")
-The use of allegory and allusion to classical romance
-Analyzing anachronism and its effect in modern music

Week of March 4: Legacy and Memory ("Marjorie")
-Exploring personal history and memory in songwriting.
-Use of vocal layering and archival audio for emotional depth.

Week of March 11: Social Commentary Through Lyrics ("The Man")
Sociopolitical commentary using satire and role reversal.
Gender stereotypes and industry double standards.

Week of March 18: Fairytale Narratives ("Enchanted")
Fairytale metaphors to express romance.
Power of metaphor in conveying emotions.

Week of March 25: Personal Redemption and Resilience ("Call It What You Want")
Exploration of themes of redemption and resilience.
Use of metaphors to depict personal growth and love.

Week of April 1: Satire and Exaggeration ("This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things")
The use of satire and hyperbole in addressing conflict.
Study of narrative voice and tone shifts for dramatic effect.

Week of April 8:  The Power of Imagery and Symbolism ("This Love")