English 300: Advanced Composition Literary Analysis Prewriting ENG300: Advanced Composition Open Office Hours occurs several times. Please register for the date and time that works best for you: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/5628365219371211777. This is not a required webinar for the Advanced Composition course. It is also not a presentation. English instructor Rianna Karalunas will be available from 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST to answer questions about your Advanced Composition writing course. If you're enrolled in Advanced Composition and have questions about an assignment, please join us during our open office hours. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Thesis, Ideas, and Content -The thesis makes a focused claim that can be sustained in a longer essay. - The writer analyzes how literary devices are used in the song. - The writer analyzes the song s influence, impact and/or importance. Pass Return X Formatted: Highlight Organization -Ideas are logically arranged and help move paper forward. -Each proposed main point is focused on one aspect of the topic and helps support the thesis statement. X Style and Voice -Maintains a consistent point of view on topic -Proposed evidence will engage readers interest in the topic. X Bibliography -Properly formatted using MLA guidelines. -Provided five potential outside sources for research. -Effectively summarized the purpose of each source and analyzed its relevance to the topic in at least three sentences X Conventions -The outline/organizer has been spell-checked and proofread to check for errors in word choice and typos. -The assignment is reasonably free of errors that interfere with a reader s ability to understand the content. X Format -The prewrite is developed as an outline or graphic organizer. - It includes all required information in a properly formatted header. X Exam Number: 500502 Grade: RETURN
Date: 6/12/17 Instructor:AF You are on the right track with this outline, but there are still elements that require further work to strengthen the prewrite before beginning to draft the essay. First, reconsider the literary devices you have chosen to analyze. The extended metaphor is a key piece of the analysis of this song. Focus on this as the primary literary device and organize all of the examples of metaphor together. Explain the significance of this metaphor in terms of what it conveys about the main message or theme of the song. Next, deification may not be the best choice of device here. Instead, explore the personification and/or hyperbole you mention but don t analyze. Or, perhaps there are other more appropriate ones to consider: imagery? In addition, the thesis needs more work. It should be one complete sentence that identifies the literary devices, main message of the song, as well as the cultural significance of the song. The cultural significance or impact of the song is missing. IMPORTANT NOTICE Along the right-hand side of your evaluated exam, you should see marginal or "bubble" comments from your instructor. You should also see a series of highlighted numbers in the evaluation chart identifying the rating you earned on each trait. If you don't see this feedback, click on the "View" tab and "Print Layout" or click on "Review" and the option "Final Showing Markup." If you still cannot see the feedback, please contact the school for the complete evaluation. Title: Figurative Language- Essay Song, Outline and Annotated Bibliography Song Lyrics: The Winner Takes it All by ABBA I don't want to talk About the things we've gone through Though it's hurting me Now it's history I've played all my cards And that's what you've done too Nothing more to say No more ace to play
The winner takes it all The loser standing small Beside the victory That's her destiny I was in your arms Thinking I belonged there I figured it made sense Building me a fence Building me a home Thinking I'd be strong there But I was a fool Playing by the rules The gods may throw a dice Their minds as cold as ice And someone way down here Loses someone dear The winner takes it all The loser has to fall It's simple and it's plain Why should I complain But tell me does she kiss Like I used to kiss you? Does it feel the same When she calls your name? Somewhere deep inside You must know I miss you But what can I say Rules must be obeyed The judges will decide The likes of me abide Spectators of the show Always staying low The game is on again A lover or a friend A big thing or a small The winner takes it all I don't want to talk If it makes you feel sad And I understand
You've come to shake my hand I apologize If it makes you feel bad Seeing me so tense No self-confidence But you see The winner takes it all The winner takes it all So the winner takes it all And the the loser has to fall Throw a dice, cold as ice Way down here, someone dear Takes it all, has to fall It seems plain to me Introduction: Figurative language is a tool that writers use to make their work more creative and appealing to Commented [PF1]: The point of the intro is not to introduce the idea of literary devices. It should be used to introduce the specific song and artist you intend to analyze. the reader. The way that writers use figurative language is by making one thing represent another based on the characteristics of both things. This makes the reader become more engaged in the reading and more likely to use his or her imagination to make connections. (Cuddon, 2013) Thesis: The Winner Takes It All Commented [PF2]: There are still a few issues with the thesis statement. (1) A thesis should be only ONE STENTENCE. What you have here is a series of statements, which could be used to develop an overall intro. The thesis should combine the following points: -Name of song/artist -Literary devices used in the song that you intend to analyze -Main message of the song - Cultural impact or significance of the song
The song The Winner Takes it All, by the Swedish group from the 1970s, ABBA, is one rife in figurative language. The song includes the following figures of speech: a) metaphor, or the equating of two different things as if they were the same, b) juxtaposition, or the placing of opposite things together; c) deification, or the giving godly traits to humans and objects, and d) rhyme (Algeo, 2014) It effectively conveys the message that love is like a game of cards, where some win and some lose. Using the figurative language, the otherwise mundane aspects of Commented [PF3]: (1)Not MLA Format (2)Don t incorporate a source in your thesis statement. The thesis of the essay should be your own original ideas relationships are more colorful. About the song The Winner Takes it All made its debut on March 18 th, 1981. It was written by group members Bjorn Ulvaeus, and he was inspired by the marital separation from his wife, who is also a group member, Agneta Fältskog. Although Agnetha is the intended recipient of the song, she is also the singer of the song written by her ex-husband. According to Ulvaeus, Agneta sang the song the way an actress would have played a part, and that her love for music made her see that it was, in the end, a great song. (Ulvaeus, 2013). The song was a major success, especially in Western Europe, Australia, Italy and Canada. It was in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 26 weeks, and it is the second #1 song after Fernando. It was the 23 most popular US single in 1981. (Songfacts, 2016) Metaphor First stanza examples of figurative language. Though it's hurting me, now it's history. The first example features metaphor and even colloquial language. Equating the memory of a bad relationship to history, as in now it is history is something colloquially said, but it does not mean the literal meaning of history. It may even be hyperbole, or exaggeration. No Commented [PF4]: These general facts about the song could be used in the intro if you feel they contributed to the reader s understanding of the song. However, each body paragraph should focus on a specific literary device. Commented [PF5]: What about this part of the line? What does this mean? Commented [PF6]: How is this metaphor? Elaborate on this. Commented [PF7]: Stick to addressing the use of metaphor in this section.
relationship ever goes back into the annals of history unless it is a very publicly known relationship. What the singer really means is that the relationship is now over, is in the past, and Commented [PF8]: What does this mean? it shall remain there. (Cuddon, 2013). I've played all my cards, and that's what you've done too Nothing more to say. No more ace to play These verses continue to use metaphor to say that the relationship was like a game of cards. There is nothing left to do to fix things, so there is no more ace to play, according to the metaphor. In other words, the relationship is now over, and nothing can be done about it. The winner takes it all, the loser standing small Beside the victory. That's her destiny In this example, the singer does not state who she is talking about, but judging by the use of the Commented [PF9]: THis is a good start, but you need to go further. Why would the song compare the relationship to playing cards? What is it about playing a card game that would resemble the relationship in the song? Elaborate on what is meant by an ace to play.what is implied by playing an ace in a card game? This metaphor of a card game needs further analysis. pronoun her, in the phrase her destiny, we can assume that she is talking about herself or the female counterpart in a relationship. This is interesting, considering that this song, written in the early 1980 s, assumed that all relationships were male/female only. Either way, the winner takes it all is a metaphor to define that, whoever ends up less beaten, less hurt, and less dejected Commented [PF10]: What are you getting at here? Why is the use of the feminine pronoun so important here? from a relationship is a huge winner; hence it takes all the earnings, or all the benefits of being the stronger of the two. It also assumes that love is a big gamble, and some win and lose in the process of loving. (Ulvaeus, 1980) Commented [PF11]: Elaborate on this. The other person, the loser stands small beside the victory. She visualizes the woman of the relationship as the weaker link whose livelihood depends on the mercy of a good man. After all, that is her destiny. The example we see here includes the metaphor discussed, and the rhymes all-small and victory-destiny. Commented [PF12]: How does this line convey the idea of female dependence on men for financial freedom? Commented [PF13]: What is significant about the rhyme here? How does it contribute to the song s overall message?
The next stanza may not look like it has a lot of figures of speech, but it is, in itself, a complete metaphor: I was in your arms thinking I belonged there, I figured it made sense, building me a fence, building me a home. Thinking I'd be strong there but I was a fool playing by the rules Here, the singer says that being with this person was like building a fence, and a home to where she belonged. Hence, she is using metaphor to state that this is exactly what being in this relationship was. She also uses the words being in his arms which is not really possible. It is figurative language to say that she was in a committed relationship with this person. However, she goes back to the original metaphor of equating the act of being in love, and entering a relationship, as a game of cards. This game, she lost because she played by the rules. Although it is not clear what the rules are, or how they relate (if in any way) to love. Still, that is another way to show creative license. Commented [PF14]: This needs some more fleshing out. What is conveyed by the comparison of being in someone s arms protected by a fence? In the safety of a home? This seems to tell the false feeling of safety and security the singer felt in the relationship. Explore this and develop this analysis. Commented [PF15]: What might this mean? Put more effort into developing your analysis of what the song means her by stating that the person played by all the rules in the relationship. Commented [PF16]: What does this mean? Deification In the next stanza, the figurative language is much more evident. There is deification, or awarding supernatural or deity-type traits to something or someone The gods may throw a dice their minds as cold as ice. And someone way down here loses someone dear The statement uses deification, or the attribution of godly qualities to typical things, such Commented [PF17]: Reconsider this literary device here. The lines actually do not give a supernatural power to someone or something. These lines do continue with the metaphor of game and the chance taken in love. However, these lines are not a solid example of deification. as fate, luck, or circumstances. It entails that our love lives, whether in relationships, or every day, depend on some supernatural deity that throws a dice deciding whether our turn is up.
These deities do not care about us, so a simile is used to describe how cold-minded they are their minds as cold as ice. We then see rhyme in the words near and dear while the stanza continues to hold to the main thesis that the value of love and relationships comes entirely from Commented [PF18]: Yes, that is present, but why is this significant? providence. (Songfacts, 2016) Rhyme The next two stanzas lack figurative language. All they do is use regular language to Commented [PF19]: Your analysis does not show examples of significant rhyme and why this element is important to the meaning of the song. sustain the thesis of the game and continues to refer to the male and the female in this particular relationship as the winner and the loser in the constant use of metaphor. Still, there is consistent rhyming in all/fall and plain/complain. Commented [PF20]: Yes, this is a continuation of the game metaphor. The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall It's simple and it's plain. Why should I complain? The true use of figurative language is evident toward the end of the song. The singer takes the song to full metaphor again. This time, she adds that there are judges and spectators that are part of the final decision of whether she will ever find love again. Juxtaposition The judges will decide. The likes of me abide. Spectators of the show always staying low The game is on again, a lover or a friend; A big thing or a small-the winner takes it all This stanza shows juxtaposition, or the placement of opposites in the same line. A big thing or a small/a lover or a friend. The rhymes show/low and decide/abide match similar sounds together. Commented [PF21]: Yes, again this continues the metaphor of game / gamble of love. Reconsider how you analyze and organize the content here. The extended metaphor of the game /gamble people take on love is consistent throughout the whole song. Perhaps the main literary device, then, is the extended metaphor. Group all of your examples of metaphor together Commented [PF22]: Where is your analysis of this literary device? Altogether, the song has simple language and its figurative language is not too complex, either. It is a tale about love lost and sadness. Conclusion:
The Winner Takes It All is a song that also tells a story; a tale about a failed relationship told from the perspective of a female. She has presumably been either cheated on, or left, by a man she felt strongly for. She assumes that the natural order of things is that she, the loser in this case, will now have to stand from afar watching the winner, the man, take everything that was left from this huge gamble called love. In this song, the figurative use of language comes from the main idea that love is a gamble. It is an ongoing metaphor that permeates the entire work, from start to finish. The use of the gamble metaphor is met by other creative devices that include deification, or the awarding of godly qualities to other things. In the song, love and loss are decided by gods that gamble our luck mindlessly and carelessly. Similarly, there is personification and exaggeration: at some points, the song places the relationship in some extreme conditions; as part of history, as a home or fence, and similar examples. Commented [PF23]: These two literary devices require further development. Overall, there is rhyming throughout, juxtaposition of opposite terms, and the continuous use of the central idea of the gambles of love. The figurative language used is simple, easy to understand, and helps the listener to make the connections to the song quicker. We have all been in a similar situation, and the idea of love being dependent on luck, or fate is a very popular idea that has inspired movies, poetry, and is quite universal.
Works Cited Algeo, J., Thomas P. (2014) The Origin and Development of the English Language. 5 th edition. New York: Pearson This is a compendium of all literary terms used in written pieces. It also defines where the English language comes from, from its Germanic roots and all the way until now. The textbook also shows the tendency of language to expand and become more extensive with time. Cuddon, J. A. (2013) The Penguin Dictionary of Literary Terms and Literary Theory. London: Penguin Books.
This is another dictionary of general terms for figurative language. All the terms are included in this book in alphabetical order. It is a needful book to be able to identify all the ways in which writers utilize language to convey an idea. http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3845. Song-Facts.com. September 10, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2017. These are the facts about the song The Winner Takes It All, according to songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus, and other information gathered from different interviews. Ulvaeus, Bjorn, (1981) The Winner Takes It All. Musical score. This is the entire score and lyrics of the song The Winner Takes It All by ABBA as explained by lead songwriter, Bjorn Ulvaeus. Ulvaeus, Bjorn (2013) Interview about the Creative process. Chef Magazine Online http://www.icethesite.com/2010/10/full-bjorn-interview-in-chef-magazine/ November, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2017 This is an interview in Chef Magazine where Bjorn Ulvaeus explains the steps to come up with the song, how he explained to his ex-wife that she would be the one singing this song about breakups, and that it was an organic process to sing the song because the love for music superseded their personal issues as a couple.