Revise a Music History Paper

NARRATOR:Listen to part of a conversation between a student and his music history professor.

MALE STUDENT:So, I-I was wondering what I could do to improve my paper before the final draft is due.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:Well, Michael, I-I have no problem with your writing style; it's graceful and clear... um, and it's interesting that you're writing about your grandmother's piano concert.

MALE STUDENT:[gently enthusiastic]Yeah, when you said we had to attend a concert and write about it, I immediately thought of her.I've been to lots of her concerts, so I'm really familiar with her music.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:[not critical]That's not necessarily an advantage; familiarity sometimes makes it hard to see things objectively.

MALE STUDENT:So I shouldn't write about my grandmother?

FEMALE PROFESSOR:No, no-no, I'm just talking in general.But, as I mentioned in my comments, I'd like you to place your grandmother's concert in-in-in a broader context.

MALE STUDENT:Yeah, I-I saw that, but I wasn't sure what you meant; I mean, I mentioned my grandmother's childhood, how much her parents loved music, how she played piano at all our family gatherings...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:OK, I see what happened now. By "broader context," I mean how the concert relates to some period in music history.

MALE STUDENT:I see. [light bulb goes on]OK, Um, I have an idea...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:OK.

MALE STUDENT:[looking for confirmation]Well, as you read in my paper, my grandmother performs classical music.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:Yes.

MALE STUDENT:That's her true love.But for most of her career, she performed jazz; she originally studied to be a classical pianist, but jazz was in its heyday back then, and when she got out of the conservatory, she was invited to join a jazz orchestra, and the opportunity was just too good to turn down.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:Really? Well that's fascinating, because she probably had to reinvent her whole musical style.

MALE STUDENT:She did. But jazz was where the money was at that time. At least for her.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:But she eventually went back to classical.

MALE STUDENT:Right-but only recently.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:[following]OK...

MALE STUDENT:So if I can show how her choices relate to what was happening in the world of music at the time...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:[pleased] I think that might work very nicely.

MALE STUDENT:[thinking out loud]And if I do that, I guess I'll have to like, interview her...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:Right.

MALE STUDENT:And I guess that'd mean... [I’ll have to rewrite most of my paper]

FEMALE PROFESSOR:... you'll have to rewrite most of your paper.

MALE STUDENT:Ouch.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:[sympathetic]Yeah... Would an extra week ease the pain?

MALE STUDENT:[relieved laugh]Definitely.

FEMALE PROFESSOR:OK. [shifting gears]So, are there other musicians in your family?

MALE STUDENT:Yeah, my mother plays piano, too. Not as well as my grandmother, but...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:An-and you?

MALE STUDENT:I-I don't play any instruments, but I sing in the university choir. In fact, we're performing next week, and I have a solo...

FEMALE PROFESSOR:That's great! Could I tell the class about your concert?

MALE STUDENT:Um, sure. But about my paper-uh, what questions should I be asking my grandmother?

FEMALE PROFESSOR:You know what? I have a meeting now. Why don't you come to class a few minutes early tomorrow?

MALE STUDENT:Will do.