INSTRUCTIONS: You will be comparing and contrasting three songs: Ani DiFranco: N

INSTRUCTIONS:
You will be comparing and contrasting three songs:
Ani DiFranco: Not a Pretty Girl, written and recorded by Ani DiFranco, 1995
Lauren Hill: Doo Wop (That Thing), written and recorded by Lauryn Hill, 1998
k.d. Lang: Nowhere to Stand, written and recorded by k.d. lang and the Reclines, 1989
Write a total of 500 words for each question 1-5 combined (You can answer with 100 words per question). The links to the songs are listed below:

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
These three singers have all been referred to as alternative artists in their respective genres. In each case, explain why you agree or disagree with this statement and give reasons.
Describe the important social issue raised in each of these songs, and the writer’s position on that issue.
Do you believe that social commentary is important in popular music, or that popular music’s main function should be entertainment? Why?
Which of the three songs most effectively makes its point?
Which of these three artists would you be most likely to listen to more of?
Then, answer question 6 with a total of 150 to 200 words:
6. What makes alternative music so unique and stand out from other genres? A long time ago, before I knew too much about music genres, etc., I thought alternative was just rock music. What do you think, in your opinion, makes alternative music stand out from rock along with the other genres? Do you find it hard to classify an artist as an alternative? If so, what makes it hard to pinpoint? If not, what stands out to you knowing it is in fact alternative music?
7. Then, come up with your own original, open-ended question that students can respond to and briefly elaborate on your question. Your open-ended question can be anything related to the “Alternative Styles” Discussion Assignment. (Question 6 above is an example of another peer’s open-ended question.)