Taylor Swift: Friend or Foe?

Learning Goals

• Write a coherent thesis statement

• Understand metaphors and imagery in songs

• Connect gossip in popular media to classical literature

Metaphors

• Definition: Figure of speech comparing two things by stating one is another.

• Examples:

  • "You are a coach potato" —> you are lazy

  • "I could eat a horse" —> I am so hungry

  • “You have a heart of gold” —> you are a good person

  • “You have a heart of stone” —> you are cold; have no emotions

  • “You are a night owl” —> you stay up late and are more productive at night

Thesis Statements

• Should be:

  • Debatable

  • Narrow

• Non-debatable example: "Pollution is bad for the environment."

• Debatable example: "At least 25% of the federal budget should be spent on limiting pollution."

• Helpful resource: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/index.html

Thesis Statement Structure

• Concession + Position: "Although [opposing idea], [your main argument]."

• Example: "Although Owl City mirrors Taylor Swift’s original imagery, Swift’s version offers deeper emotional exploration."

Taylor Swift in Academia

• Increasing number of courses focused on Taylor Swift's music and impact.

• Key courses include thematic analysis and songwriting techniques.

Cultural References in Swift's Music

• Compares her songs to classical literature, e.g., "Love Story" and Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

• Engages with themes of romantic agency and societal expectations.

Parallel Structure

• Use grammatical forms consistently within a sentence for clarity and rhythm.

• Importance in academic writing.

• Use

Feminist Perspectives

• Criticism of Taylor Swift for writing about exes; exploration of her commentary on patriarchy in songs.

• Questions about the evolution of her feminist themes over time.

Interpersonal Dynamics

• Analysis of feuds and relationships in music, e.g., comparisons with charli xcx and Kayla Nicole.

• Exploration of how women navigate competition and social judgment in lyrics.