🎶 Hello darkness, my old friend

🎶 Near, far, wherever you are

🎶 At first, I was afraid, I was petrified

🎶 Mamma Mia, here I go again

Humming a tune yet?

What is it about MUSIC? We respond with so much emotion, so much vigor, so much heart.  

Let’s tap into that enthusiasm and use it for learning!

At Brave Writer®, we recognize that teens have much to say and that songwriting is a wonderful outlet for a young writer's biggest ideas and feelings.  

Class Overview

Made With You in Mind

In this class, we’ll dive deep into literary devices and poetic forms in lyrics using songs written by your teen's favorite artists! Poetry in musical motion—and you’ll get to try your hand at writing a few lyrics yourself!

Artists Featured in Our Winter/Spring 2025 Class:

  • Hozier
  • Olivia Rodrigo
  • Billie Eilish
  • BTS

We’ll use activities designed to help your students think critically about the ideas and language in songs. Themes include:

  • Literary devices that make song lyrics “bounce off the page”
  • The role of autobiography and story-telling in songwriting
  • How the structure of a song supports story-telling
  • Writing your own song that uses a literary device for a powerful concept

The focus of this class is on examining song lyrics, but teens who love poetry will also enjoy this class and feel at home.

Questions you may be asking:

  • Does my child have to be a fan to participate?
    Nope! Your child simply needs an interest in learning while listening to songs.
  • What version of the songs will you use?
    Radio-friendly, non-explicit versions (Adult supervision recommended for themes in songs)
  • What if my child isn’t musical (doesn’t play an instrument)?
    No worries! This class is a lyric-examining and writing class. No musical skills needed.
  • Do I have to buy any music?
    Nope! All songs will be shared through public links, including lyrics.

Activities will give students the chance to engage with songwriting in a way that is affirming, encouraging, and nonjudgmental. 

Embrace the HARMONY between music and writing today! No experience or musical training necessary! 

Week by Week

Week One

Students dive into the song-poetry connection this week with an in-depth look at a modern classic. Critical thinking skills come into play as they mine their autobiographies for source material. 

Week Two

Students consider a new set of lyrics to explore how the storytelling arc from literature applies to song. Writers then apply these skills to craft a stanza from a personal story.

Week Three

How does an artist craft songs that take hold of you and keep you engaged until the final note? We'll look at song structure this week and analyze its power.

Week Four

In the final week, students will examine the personification literary device in song. Writers will take their own spin on this device as they create a theme-oriented original song. 

Registration Details

Join Us!

Tuition:
$239.00 per student
Recommended Ages:

13 - 18

Class Size:
25 students
Class Length:
4 weeks
Class Type:
  • High School

Select from the available class dates below to register for that session:

–
Sarah Kerr   Register

Word on the Street

I appreciate songs for reasons I didn't know existed a month ago. Even if I don't know the song, my brain is straining out good, juicy metaphors and similes, and I do fall really hard when I get a bit of alliteration. I find myself liking songs I never thought I would listen to for their imagery, as well. 

Ayla, 14

I've become much more aware of using more rhetorical devices in my writing!

Samantha, 16

I used to just think ''oh these are cool lyrics'' and sing along and whatnot but now I actually listen to them and think about what they are saying and all the emotion and hard work they must've put into it. 

Evalina, 14

This class changed the way I think about song lyrics using examples of hyperbole, personification, imagery, etc. , but using lyrics from songs that I already knew, so it really helped me!

Norah, 14

More Information

Sample class login

Want to see how our classroom works? Test drive a sample class complete with real class readings, assignments, and instructor comments!

Follow these instructions:

  1. Navigate to class.bravewriter.com. If you are a current student, you’ll need to log out in the upper right corner before proceeding.
  2. Log in using these credentials:
    Username: [email protected]
    Password: Brave1
  3. Next, you will land on our Family Dashboard. You'll find a Parent icon and a Student icon to represent classes where the parent or the student is the primary participant. Click on Parent to view parent participation classes. To find classes with direct student-instructor interaction, click on Student.
  4. Click on the class name of interest and start reading posts!
How Our Classes Work Download a class summary
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