🎶  Sweet like honey, karma is a cat; Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me

🎶  Cause if I was a man, then I’d be the man

🎶  Tried to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy

In your teen's wildest dreams, they never thought they could connect their fandom with school. But here we are, with a blank space for their name! 

Taylor Swift says “Poetry and lyrics are very similar. They make words bounce off a page.”

If you want to experience the leap into language that lyric writing can be, meet me at midnight (or any time that works for you), and grab a pen and an old napkin and write down your song!

Class Overview

Made With You in Mind

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

In this class, we’ll use activities I’ve designed to think critically about the ideas and language in songs. We’ll cover these ideas:

  • 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 personification 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 Swiftie to participate?
    Nope! Your child simply needs an interest in learning while listening to Taylor Swift 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 TS 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 Taylor 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 per student
Recommended Ages:

13-18

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

There are currently no upcoming sessions scheduled for this class.

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

...This class was really amazing and fun, and it's centered around the one and only Taylor Swift, although they could use any other artist, and every week is something different and you'll learn new things that will change your persepctive of any lyric/song you may hear! - Lola, 13

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

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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