3 Common Research-based Assignments

Common research-based assignments in music include work such as:

• essays
• exegeses
• reviews.

The type of assignment you are working on will influence your research strategy and the types of sources you will consult.

Essays

Essay assignments can take many forms and may also be referred to by other terms, including:

• critical research essays
• research projects
• analytical discussions.

Essays are typically written in response to a specific question or topic. They tend to be focused on a particular:

• musical period
• work
• person
• theory
• style.

When researching for an essay you will use a range of primary and secondary sources including:

• books (monographs)
• book chapters
• journal articles
• reference works
• music scores
• sound or video recordings
• theses (dissertations)
• magazine articles or industry publications.

You will need to use both primary and secondary sources as evidence in your essay.

Exegesis

An exegesis is a critical interpretation or explanation, generally of a creative work such as a composition or performance. Typically, the writer of the exegesis is also the composer or performer of the work. While the focus of an exegesis will be on the primary material you are analysing, your critical interpretation will need to be informed by secondary sources.

Because it is closely related to a creative work, an exegesis does not answer a question in the same way as an essay.

Review

A review is a report and evaluation of another work, such as a book, composition, recording or live performance.  While this writing might be more subjective than an essay or exegesis and introduce more of the writer’s opinion, it will still need to rely on evidence and knowledge of secondary sources to demonstrate your opinion is properly informed.