Literary analysis students enjoy!
Does your class light up the moment music enters the room? This modular Taylor Swift ELA unit turns that energy into rigorous literary analysis — meeting students where they are while hitting the skills that matter most.
Students will close-read lyrics from across Taylor Swift's discography (Folklore, Red TV, Fearless TV, Midnights, Lover, Speak Now TV, and her debut album) to identify, analyze, and write with literary devices. No fluff — just high-engagement texts paired with real ELA work.
As someone who has used thematic units based on popular culture in my classroom, I found that incorporating Taylor Swift's "All Too Well" into a literary analysis unit greatly enhanced student engagement. By focusing on figurative language and other literary devices within a familiar song, students often feel more connected to the material. We explored metaphors, similes, imagery, and personification in the lyrics, which sparked lively discussions. One aspect I especially appreciated was the modular approach allowing flexibility depending on the students’ skill levels. The included creative writing prompts motivated students to apply these devices in their own work, fostering deeper understanding. This method aligns well with Common Core standards, ensuring that the activities are not only enjoyable but academically rigorous. Additionally, breaking down the components of a song helped students appreciate the craft behind songwriting and poetry, bridging different forms of literature. Sharing personal interpretations and emotional responses encouraged critical thinking and improved their analytical writing skills. Overall, integrating popular music into literary analysis makes the learning process memorable and effective for high school students.
🔗in bio