Rhetorical Analysis Through Music

You will complete 1 class example

3 choices from the music provided below
1 selection of your own personal choice not from the examples below
A total of 5 total songs analyzed

Artist: Imagine Artist: Brandi Artist: Shakira Artist: Maggie Siff Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
Dragons Carlile

Song Title: Zero (Lyrics) Song Title: Carry Me Song Title: Try Song Title: Lullaby For A Song Title: Busy Man
With You (Lyrics) Everything (Lyrics) Soldier (Lyrics) (Lyrics)
 Artist: Ed Sheeran Artist: Brooks & Artist: Billy Ray Artist: Imagine Dragons Artist: Rob Thomas
Dunn Cyrus

Song Title: Castle on the Song Title: Neon Song Title: Some Song Title: Song Title: Little Wonders
Hill (Lyrics) Moon (Lyrics) Gave All (Lyrics) Thunder(Lyrics) (Lyrics)

Title & Artist Audience: The specific Purpose: : (5-10 sentences) Exigence: (3-5 sentences)
Speaker or intended audience of a To inform, persuade, entertain; The exigence is the part of a
text. what the author wants the rhetorical situation that inspires,
audience to believe, know, feel, or stimulates, provokes, or prompts
do writers to create a text.

(Class Example) The intended audience is
people who feel lonely and
unworthy of happiness or
anything great in life. The
author wants them to
know that they are not
alone.
The main purpose of this song is
to inform the audience to know
that they are not alone in their
feelings of loneliness and sorrow.
The author of the song expresses
his struggles of trying to get
through the days with feelings of
sadness and loneliness. In addition,
The main reason the author wrote
this song is because Ralph felt like
an outsider. He wanted people to
know that being different from
everyone can be very lonely. He
wanted others to understand his
struggles so that they would feel
empathetic and consider including
 the authors communicate that him in their activities.
these negative feelings have made
them want to escape the situation.
This makes it easy for the
audience to relate to the authors
and feel more confident about
feeling down.

Context: (AEC Rhetorical Devices Message:(FRQ Style)the main Final Analysis of song
Format) Found: (4 examples, 4 idea the speaker communicated to meaning: (FRQ Style) (3
describes the pieces of evidence of the audience in order to achieve pieces of textual evidence to
circumstances different rhetorical the purpose. support your analysis)
surrounding the writing, devices. (4 paragraphs)
which include the time
(when the text was
written), location (blog,
academic journal, etc.),
and the culture
surrounding the text.

In the song “Zero” by The main idea the speaker Ralph expresses his experience with
Imagine Dragons, Ralph communicated is that being an being an outsider, his feelings about
expresses his struggle outsider can be lonely and being lonely, and his negative
with being an outsider in depressing in order to inform the thoughts about his situation.
order to keep his best audience of the struggles he’s
friend Venellope. He facing. By doing this, the audience
invokes empathy by would better understand his
explaining that “he is feelings and therefore, feel
lonely” so that Venellope empathetic towards him. Overall,
will consider being his Ralph wants his friends to know
friend. By making her that being an outsider isn’t easy.
feel bad for him, the
author attempts to
Title & Artist Audience: Purpose: (5-10 sentences)
Speaker
(Choice 1) The audience is society in The purpose of this song is to
general as the song inform little kids of the
conveys an inspirational importance of having
“Try everything” by
message that can be perseverance when facing
Shakira applicable to anyone. hardships. It also aims to change
However, it mainly aims to the mindset of children when
target little kids who are facing difficulties and encourages
feeling hopeless and a more positive attitude when
unmotivated as the song is dealing with obstacles.
incorporated into a Furthermore, it inspires young
children’s movie. children to not be afraid to
experience new situations,
promoting hope and instilling
motivation. It helps them realize
that they shouldn’t give up on their
dreams because of setbacks, and
overall teaches them an important
life lesson about the reality of
exploring new things. As a result
of this song, kids may feel more
confident about making mistakes
in life which strengthens their
ability to learn and grow from
Exigence:. (3-5 sentences)
Shakira’s rough childhood regarding
her singing career may have
contributed to the creation of this
song. When she was younger, she
was rejected from her school’s
choir because she was told she
didn’t sound good enough. Additionally,
she was constantly bullied for her
voice as her classmates thought
she sounded like a goat. These
negative experiences may have
inspired her to write a song to
reach out to young children who
may be facing similar issues. Due to
her first-hand experience facing
discouragement regarding an
activity that she was incredibly
passionate about, Shakira may have
been prompted to record this song
in order to prevent others from
experiencing what she did.

Context: (AEC Rhetorical Devices
Format) Found: (4 examples, 4
pieces of evidence of
different rhetorical
devices. (4 paragraphs)
The context for the 1. The song employs an
song “Try Everything” by inspirational and
Shakira is based on the encouraging tone to
movie Zootopia as it was persuade children and
created for the movie. adults to try new things
The song conveys topics and explore new
such as perseverance opportunities. For
and overcoming example, the author of
challenges as it the song expresses that
symbolizes the main she “won’t give up” and she
character’s “won’t give in” to the
determination to become struggles she’s been
a cop even though she facing (Shakira). By
was facing many explicitly stating that she’s
obstacles throughout the not willing to succumb to
process. In the song, the feelings of sadness and
main character is seen emphasizing her
expressing that “[she] determination to move on
won’t give up” and [she] from her obstacles, she
won’t give in,” (Shakira). encourages the audience
Through these lyrics, it’s to reciprocate the same
evident that this song ideals.
their mistakes.
Message: (FRQ Style)
The main message of the song
“Try Everything” by Shakira is to
not be afraid to try new things
even though they may result in
hardships. Furthermore, the song
also puts emphasis on persevering
through the hardships and learning
from mistakes. Overall, it
communicates to children that
stepping out of their comfort
zone may result in negative
outcomes, but those experiences
are a necessary part of the
learning process.
Final Analysis of song
meaning: (FRQ Style) (3 pieces
of textual evidence to support your
analysis)
The song, “Try Everything” by
Shakira, conveys the message of
eliminating fears and trying new
things by explaining how hardships
are a necessary part of life, trying
new things can lead to failure, and
the importance of having a positive
attitude.
Firstly, the song brings attention
to how people must fail in order to
learn. For example, it’s expressed
that “nobody learns without gettin' it
wrong” (Shakira). By making
mistakes and facing obstacles,
people can understand how to avoid
making the same mistake in the
future. Therefore, they will be
better equipped to handle the
situation if they face it again,
making them feel more
comfortable about experiencing
new situations.
was written to
encourage the main
character to continue 2.The song incorporates
her journey to becoming anaphora to emphasize
a cop even though she’s Shakira’s willingness and
facing obstacles. As a motivation to take action
result, the importance of in order to change her
failure is emphasized as life for the better. In the
the main character is song, she mentions that
learning from her she’ll “keep on making
hardships and continuing those new mistakes” and
to pursue her goals. that she’ll “keep on making
them everyday” (Shakira).
By repeating the beginning
phrase of the sentences,
she conveys her
determination and strong
desire to learn from her
mistakes and improve her
life.
3. The song uses
comparison to justify why
people need to overcome
their obstacles. When
singing about how she
always gets back up
after facing a difficulty,
Shakira states that “birds
don't just fly, they fall
Next, Shakira convey’s her
determination to try new things
even though the outcome is
uncertain. She explains that she
wants “to try everything” and how
she wants “to try even though
[she] could fail” (shakira). These
lyrics inspire people to step out of
their comfort zone and try new
activities. It reminds them that
attempting to do something new is
better than not doing anything at all.
Lastly, this song shows people
that having a positive attitude can
help them move on from their
hardships. Throughout this song,
Shakira maintained a positive
attitude through the struggles she
was facing. When she states that
she “won’t give up” and “won’t give
in,” her positive mindset is clearly
displayed. Therefore, people would
feel motivated to think more
positively about negative situations.
This would allow them to feel more
confident about trying new things.
down and get up”
(Shakira). She compares
birds and humans and uses
the actions of birds as
reasoning to why she
thinks people should
persevere through their
setbacks and improve
themselves as failure is
needed to succeed.

4. The song uses

repetition to persuade
young children to feel
confident about trying
new things and exploring
new opportunities. In the
song, the phrase “try
everything” is
consecutively repeated
towards the end. By
repeating this phrase, it
emphasizes the
significance of trying new
things and ensures that
the audience remembers
that message.
Furthermore, it
emphasizes the author’s
drive to continue pursuing
 her goals even though
she’s met with challenges
along the way.
Title & Artist Audience:
Speaker
(Busy Man by Billy This song was intended
Ray Cyrus) for married men with
kids and busy work lives.
It talks about how men
sometimes struggle to
balance their professional
and personal lives and
allows them to reflect on
their priorities and values.
It also brings attention to
how being constantly busy
can disrupt familial
relationships.
Context: (AEC Rhetorical Devices
Format) Found: (4 examples, 4
pieces of evidence of
Purpose: (5-10 sentences)
The purpose of this song is to
inform married men about how to
effectively manage their time
regarding their family and career.
It also aims to show them how
constantly being busy can
unknowingly shift their priorities
and disrupt familial relationships.
Additionally, the song prompts
married men to reflect on their
personal lives and reminds them of
the importance of prioritizing
family. Therefore, the song
intends to improve family
dynamics and strengthen
relationships. Though, this song also
criticizes busy life and prompts
men to rethink their career
choices.
Message: (FRQ Style)
Exigence:. (3-5 sentences)
Billy Ray Cyrus may have been
prompted to record this song due
to personal family problems. Him
and his wife, Tish Cyrus, got a
divorce. It was revealed that Billy
Ray Cyrus was more focused on
his career goals and didn’t cater to
his family as much as he should
have. This situation resembles the
message of this song. He may have
felt guilty for not prioritizing his
family and therefore recorded this
song in order to prevent other men
from making the same mistake.
Final Analysis of song
meaning: (FRQ Style) (3 pieces
of textual evidence to support your

The context of this song
can be explained through
the time period it was
written and released in. In
the 1990s. Society
expected men to
prioritize their
professional life over
their family as it was
often seen as the
woman's responsibility to
take care of the
household. The lyrics
describe a busy man who
has been ignorant
towards his family's
personal needs as he tells
his daughter “maybe
later” when she asks him
to buy her lemonade and
expresses that “[he’s] a
busy man” (Cyrus). This
demonstrates the
pressure men faced to
prioritize their work life
over personal
relationships in the 1990s.
different rhetorical
devices. (4 paragraphs)
1. This song uses pathos to
convey the slow
disruption of familial
relationships. In the song,
it’s mentioned that there
was “a woman in the
bedroom crying” (Cyrus).
This woman represents
the wife of the busy man
in the song. She is upset
that her husband doesn’t
spend time with her
anymore, showing how the
man’s busy life is ruining
his relationship with his
wife. The wife’s feelings
can be relatable to many
women, emphasizing the
emotional appeal of this
song.
2. An anecdote is used at
the beginning of this song
to describe a short story
of a father neglecting his
kids and wife. In the song,
the father is shown to be
The main message of this song is
that men should be more aware
of how they divide their time
between personal and
professional life. Furthermore, it’s
emphasized that they should
re-evaluate their priorities based
on their responsibilities as a
husband and father.
analysis)
This song conveys the message
that men should be more aware of
how they divide their time and
prioritize their values by
communicating how being busy can
disrupt relationships with loved ones,
poor time management can
negatively impact family dynamics,
and the importance of
understanding one’s responsibilities in
a family.
Firstly, the slow disruption of the
relationship between the author and
his wife is communicated in the
song. For example, the song
mentioned “a woman in the bedroom
crying” (Cyrus). This woman was
the wife of the busy man. This part
of the lyrics made me realize that
having a busy life can hurt loved
ones as they feel neglected. As a
result, it shows men the negative
effects that their family members
face, prompting them to reevaluate
their priorities.
Next, the song described the
distant relationship between a
neglecting his kids as he
tells them “not now son/I'm
a busy man” and “maybe
later, can't you see I'm a
busy man” (Cyrus). By
using this rhetorical
device, the author
conveys the distant
relationship between the
father and his family.
3. The song uses the
repetition of the phrase
“busy man” in order to
emphasize that the father
prioritizes his work over
his family. In the song, the
father says, “I’m a busy
man” after his interaction
with each of his kids
(Cyrus). By using his
career as an excuse to
why he can’t spend time
with his children, it’s clear
that he values his
professional life over his
personal life.
4. The song employs
description in order to
father and his kids to show the
poor family dynamic. In the song,
the father couldn’t play basketball
with his son or buy lemonade from
his daughter. This is seen when he
rejects his son by patting “him on
the back" and “[saying] not now
son” and his daughter by saying
“maybe later, can't you see I'm a
busy man” (Cyrus). By including this
part in the lyrics, the song
conveyed how the father’s poor
time management skills limited the
amount of time he spent with his
children. Therefore, the men in the
audience would understand the
importance of time management.
Lastly, the busy man in the song
fails to uphold his responsibilities as
a husband. In the song, the busy man
says “honey I'm sorry I'll make it up”
for not being able to spend time
with her (Cyrus). The busy man is
prioritizing his work over his wife.
This shows that he values his
career over his family.
Consequently, this expresses the
need for a reevaluation of
responsibilities and emphasizes the
consequences of prioritizing work
 highlight the innocence of life, telling the audience to be more
the son, characterizing aware of how they manage their
the father as a careless time.
person. In the song, the
son is described as being
a “little boy out in the
driveway” who is being
neglected by his busy
father (Cyrus). By
emphasizing the son’s
youth and fragility, the
author elevates feelings
of sympathy for the son,
while promoting feelings
of dislike towards the
father.

Title & Artist Audience: Purpose: (5-10 sentences) Exigence:. (3-5 sentences)
Speaker
“Carry Me with You” This song was intended This song intends to inform people The main reason that Brandi Carlile
by Brandi Carlile for society in general. It about realizing the importance of wrote this song for the film
talks about how love loved ones and to never take “Onward” is because she watched
should be more widely them for granted. Sometimes the movie with her closest music
appreciated, and I think people may overlook the efforts collaborators, the Hanseroth twins.
that it’s applicable to of their loved ones and don’t After watching the movie, the twins
anyone. understand the extent of emotion were very emotional and on the
they feel for them until it’s too verge of tears as it was about the
late. However, this song relationship between two brothers.
reinforces the importance of After seeing the emotional impact

Context: (AEC Rhetorical Devices
Format) Found: (4 examples, 4
pieces of evidence of
different rhetorical
devices. (4 paragraphs)
The context of the song 1. This song uses pathos to
“Carry Me with You” explain the support and
written by Brandi Carlile care given by loved ones.
is based on the fact that In the song, the author
many people in today’s says “you picked my
society tend to neglect heart up off the
the efforts of their ground/And it showed me
loved ones as they are love was all around” to
occupied with their own convey the extent of
personal issues and busy affection that his loved
schedules, leading to one showed him.. This
appreciating the small things that
people do for each other. This
song also encourages people to
support their loved ones and be
more deliberate and purposeful in
caring for them. Through the
detailed articulation of the
heartfelt experiences between
the two brothers in the movie, the
song established a strong
emotional appeal within the
audience.
Message: (FRQ Style)
The main message of this song is
to show appreciation of loved
ones. Due to busy schedules,
people tend to forget about their
closest supporters and neglect
expressing their feelings for them.
Therefore, this song brings
attention to improving family
relationships and seeks to bring
people closer together emotionally.
that this film had, Carlile decided to
write the song with the help of the
Hanseroth twins. She wanted to help
incorporate their love and
affection into a song that could
promote brotherly love and foster
stronger connections with loved
ones around the world.
Furthermore, Carlile loved the film’s
emphasis on familial bonding and was
prompted to write the song.
Final Analysis of song
meaning: (FRQ Style) (3 pieces
of textual evidence to support your
analysis)
The song “Carry Me with You” by
Brandi Carlile expresses the
message that people should
appreciate their loved ones by
highlighting that it’s important to
express your love for someone
through actions, strengthening
family relationships, and noticing the
care and support that loved ones
offer.
Firstly, the author’s loved one
increased divorce rates shows the author's
and break ups that have heartfelt feelings
become common in towards his loved one as
modern relationships. In This appeals to the
the song, it’s conveyed audience’s emotion as it
that the author “was just conveys the loved one’s
too blind to see” the determination to care for
efforts of their loved the author.
one (Carlile).. Therefore,
this song addresses the 2. A simile is used to
importance of communicate how
strengthening bonds with sometimes the efforts of
loved ones and giving loved ones can go
them attention and unnoticed. The author
appreciation for their states that he “was just
efforts. too blind to see” the
support he was receiving
from his loved one,
“like a lighthouse in a
storm” (Carlile). Looking
out from a lighthouse
during a storm is very
difficult. By comparing his
inability to to notice the
actions of his loved one
to looking out from a
lighthouse in a storm in
order to emphasize how
hard it was for him to
notice the loved one’s
shows their affection by
protecting them during a vulnerable
moment. In the song, the author
says, “when I hurt a bit too
deep/you watched me as I fell
asleep“ (Carlile). The author’s loved
one expresses his love for him by
ensuring his safety and admiring him
when he’s sleeping. This shows his
appreciation and affection for the
author.
Next, the song portrayed the
strong bond between the brothers
in the movie. The author emphasizes
that his brother carried him
through his hardships by repeatedly
saying “you carried me with you“
(Carlile). This showed how strongly
connected their bond was as his
brother stuck with him through his
struggles and was willing to support
him through his difficult
experiences.
Lastly, the author communicates
that he failed to notice the effort
that his loved one was putting in to
comfort him. In the song, the author
says “I was just too blind to see,“
referring to his inability to notice
how much his loved one cared for
efforts.
3. The song incorporates
an idiom to describe how
a loved one tried to help
and protect the author
of the song. The author
expresses that when his
“head was in the clouds,”
his loved one “pulled [him]
out” (Carlile). As the loved
one prevented the author
from being absent minded
and impractical, he helped
him focus on reality.
Overall, it showed that he
cared about his well-being.
him (Carlile). After learning this
piece of information, people would
feel an extreme sense of sympathy
for the author’s loved one as his
heartfelt efforts to support the
author were not being recognized
and appreciated. Therefore, the
song motivates people to be more
aware of others’ feelings and
intentions towards others so that
they can appreciate their actions.

4. The song uses mood to

prompt feelings of
sympathy among the
audience. In the song, the
author repeatedly
conveys how his loved
one carried him through
his hardships by repeating
the phrase “you carried
me with you“ (Carlile). By
highlighting the loved one’s
compassionate and caring
 nature, the song makes
the audience feel
sympathetic for him as
the author didn’t notice
the love he was being
given.
Title & Artist Audience: Purpose: (5-10 sentences)
Speaker
“Let It Go: by Idina This song is intended for The purpose of this song is to
Menzel the residents of Arendele inform the city of Arendele that
from the movie “Frozen.” Elsa is done conforming to
Elsa wanted everyone in societal expectations and is now
her town to know that going to use her powers freely.
she was done hiding her The song also aims to recognize
powers and was ready to the years of shame and fear that
embrace them. Elsa felt regarding her powers
and shows how she is embracing
her true identity. Therefore, the
song communicates that Elsa
wants to let go of her past and
use her powers to their full
potential. She also encourages
people to let go of their fears
and live authentically, while
communicating that others’
opinions don’t matter. As she was
the Queen of Arendele, Elsa felt
Exigence:. (3-5 sentences)
Elsa most likely sang this song to
express her emotions regarding her
difficult childhood. Due to her ice
powers, Elsa always felt like an
outsider. As she had to constantly
hide her powers, she felt ashamed
and disliked that she was different
from everyone. Furthermore, she
was afraid that people would judge
her for her powers. Though, as
her secret was finally revealed, she
felt free and wanted to express
her freedom and carelessness by
singing the song and letting the
world know that she could finally
be her authentic self.

Context: (AEC Rhetorical Devices
Format) Found: (4 examples, 4
pieces of evidence of
different rhetorical
devices. (4 paragraphs)
The context for the 1. This song uses
song “Let It Go” personification to bring
recorded by Idina Menzel attention to the setting of
comes from the events the song. For example, the
that occured right song conveys that “the
before she sang the wind is howling” (Menzel).
song where Elsa’s ice The wind is being
powers were revealed personified as it can’t
to the rest of the actually howl. The phrase
Kingdom of Arendelle in is being used to emphasize
the movie “Frozen.” As the severe weather
increased societal pressure to
represent perfection through her
mannerisms. Her secret regarding
her ice powers, amplified the
pressure she felt and led to her
being unable to hide her true
identity. Overall, the song intends
to convey how her powers
restricted her ability to express
her true personality and how she’s
finally able to let go of everything
she’s been keeping to herself.
Message: (FRQ Style) Final Analysis of song
meaning: (FRQ Style) (3 pieces
of textual evidence to support your
analysis)
The main message conveyed by Overall, the song “Let It Go” by
the song “Let It Go” by Idina Idina Menzel conveys the message
Menzel is self-acceptance. The that self-acceptance is important in
song emphasizes the importance achieving freedom by emphasizing
of individuals embracing that it’s important to let go of your
themselves for who they truly fears, embrace your true
are. Furthermore, it highlights the personality, and not place
act of letting go of past struggles importance on others’ opinions.
and fears and neglecting what Firstly, Elsa expresses that she’s
others think about you. no longer scared of her powers. In
the song, she states that “the fears
she had to hide her
powers from the world
for her safety, the
people of Arendelle were
shocked and betrayed by
Elsa when she
accidentally revealed her
powers. Therefore, Elsa
had to flee her kingdom
and this song was
included right after she
fled in order to convey
her thoughts about the
situation that occured
and let the audience
know what actions she
was going to take now
that everyone knew
about her secret. In the
song, she mentioned that
she “couldn't keep it in”
and that “heaven knows
[she] tried” (Menzel). This
section of the song
shows the context as it
explains that her powers
were revealed to the
public and therefore,
she’s singing this song to
convey her feelings
occurring at the beginning
of the song. As the snow
storm was caused by
Elsa, the personification
also signifies the extent
of power that Elsa
contains as she was able
to cause such an extreme
winter. In addition, it helps
the audience better
visualize the setting.
2. A simile is used in the
song to display Elsa’s
resilience and
perseverance. In the song,
Elsa states that she’ll “rise
like the break of dawn”
(Menzel). During the break
of dawn, the sun starts
to rise and brings light
into the world and
eliminates the darkness.
Elsa compares the break
of dawn to how she’s
finally able to come out
of hiding in the darkness
because of her powers
and instead using them to
bring prosperity to the
that once controlled [her]can't get
to [her] at all” (Menzel). As she let
go of her fears, she doesn't have
to constantly worry about
restricting her ability to express
herself. Therefore, she’s able to
accept her true identity without
fear.
Next, Elsa is shown to be
embracing her personality after
hiding it from the world for such a
long period of time. The song
conveys that “that perfect girl is
gone,” explaining that Elsa is done
pretending to be a perfect girl just
to meet societal expectations
(Menzel). Elsa is learning to
appreciate her carefree
personality and is done pretending
to be someone she’s not.
Lastly, Elsa expresses that she’s
done conforming to societal
expectations and caring about what
people think and say about her and
her powers. In the song, she
strictly states that she doesn't
care “what they're going to say”
(Menzel). This shows that she’s not
afraid of other people’s judgements
and emphasizes her confidence. As
about the situation. world. a result, she completely accepts
her personality regardless of the
3. This song incorporates negative opinions that others have
a confident tone to about her.
express Elsa’s lack of
fear towards the end of
the song. Elsa explains that
she doesn’t “care what
they’re going to say,”
referring to the residents
of Arendele (Menzel). She
feels very strongly that
she is doing the right thing
and isn’t willing to consider
other people’s opinions,
showing her confidence
regarding the decisions
she’s making.
Furthermore, this also
demonstrates her
newfound bravery as she
isn’t afraid of others’
opinions.

4. Repetition is used to
highlight one of the key
ideas of the song. The
phrase “let it go” is
constantly repeated
throughout the song. This
is because the main idea is
to encourage people to
let go of their fears and
accept themselves for
who they are. Therefore,
repeating this phrase
ensures that the audience
clearly understands the
significance of the
message.