Coursebook Lesson 7: The Conclusion

Drawing conclusions

The conclusions you draw offer your perspective after careful analysis of the issue, so your personal view should be evident (though NOT explicitly stated by writing “I think”!). However, be careful not to let personal bias dominate. If your insights are not a reflection of the evidence, they may not be relevant. No matter how you feel (emotionally) about the issue by essay’s end, take care to provide a logical response to the information you shared.

activity

• Review the list of evidence in response to the essay prompt How far do you agree with the idea that wordless music is meaningless?
• Based on the evidence and your own perspective, what kind of conclusion would you draw about wordless music? Discuss with a partner or as a whole class.

evidence

• Ludwig Van Beethoven’s music has affected the lives of many people for over 200 years; pieces like Fur Elise, the ‘Moonlight’ Piano Sonata and the Fifth Symphony are all in the top 100 masterpieces of classical music today, yet they contain no words.
• Background music in movies is essential for building intense or dramatic scenes, hinting at character or other instances of foreshadowing, and developing emotion in the audience; the Golden Globe Awards offer a category for ‘best instrumental.’

evidence

3. Country music is known for its clever storytelling; without words, songs such as Patsy Cline’s ‘I Fall to Pieces’ would not be as effective in demonstrating her feelings of sadness.

4. Rhythmic beats of tribal Africa are often used in religious ceremonies (e.g. traditional drumming in Ghana)

5. Rap music is known for its frank and open style of storytelling; songs often reveal a hard and painful life that not everyone experiences.

Evidence

6. According to the Center for New Discoveries in Learning in California, USA, listening to wordless music with 60 beats per minute (e.g. music by Mozart) can increase learning potential; activities that activate both the left and right side of the brain, such as playing an instrument, can make the brain more capable of processing information.