Songwriters Lyric Writing Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which technique uses the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of nearby words, as in 'wild winds whisper'?
- Alliteration (Correct answer)
- Assonance
- Consonance
- Onomatopoeia
Correct answer: Alliteration
Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds in closely placed words.
Question 2: What is the main purpose of a 'hook' in a song lyric?
- To list the credits
- To grab attention and stay memorable (Correct answer)
- To slow the tempo
- To end the song quietly
Correct answer: To grab attention and stay memorable
A hook is a catchy phrase designed to capture attention and be remembered.
Question 3: A lyric that says 'her smile was the morning sun' is an example of what device?
- Simile
- Metaphor (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
- Irony
Correct answer: Metaphor
A metaphor states one thing IS another without using 'like' or 'as'.
Question 4: Which approach helps a lyric feel universal yet personal at the same time?
- Using only abstract concepts
- Pairing specific concrete details with relatable emotions (Correct answer)
- Avoiding any imagery
- Writing entirely in third person
Correct answer: Pairing specific concrete details with relatable emotions
Concrete details ground a relatable emotion, making it feel both specific and universal.
Question 5: What does 'prosody' refer to in lyric writing?
- The matching of words to the music's rhythm and melody (Correct answer)
- The number of verses
- The recording quality
- The chord progression
Correct answer: The matching of words to the music's rhythm and melody
Prosody is how well the lyric's natural stresses align with the music.
Question 6: Which rhyme type pairs 'orange' with 'door hinge'?
- Perfect rhyme
- Internal rhyme
- Slant (near) rhyme (Correct answer)
- Eye rhyme
Correct answer: Slant (near) rhyme
Slant rhymes share similar but not identical sounds.
Question 7: Why might a songwriter use second-person 'you' throughout a lyric?
- To confuse the listener
- To directly address and pull the listener into the story (Correct answer)
- To avoid emotion
- To make rhyming impossible
Correct answer: To directly address and pull the listener into the story
Second person speaks directly to the listener, creating intimacy and immediacy.
Songwriters Lyric Writing Techniques 2
Which technique uses the repetition of consonant sounds at the start of nearby words, as in 'wild winds whisper'?