Genre Analysis: It's Gibberish, but Italian Pop Song Still Means Something

In the NPR report “It’s Gibberish, but Italian Pop Song Still Means Something” it is easy to say that this was just a simple piece of a news article.  It is informative, and it also includes has an interview with the creator of the song himself.  In a lot of ways, this style of giving information is somewhat similar to an annotated map, only it is just one of the many annotations.  I don’t think it is all that similar to an essay, because it is far more concise with presenting the thesis, facts, as well as formatting it down to something short, sweet, and to the point.

The NPR report draws the audience in with playing the song in the background.  Its catchy beat intrigues the reader, enticing them to sit and listen for a bit longer.  As the music fades ever so slightly, the reporter’s voice can be heard, as he introduces how the song is made up of no real words.  He gives some information about the song, such as that it was created by an Italian, and that its purpose was to show how language barriers need to be broken in order to communicate with other cultures.  After he explains the significance of the song, it gets louder in the background, and then tones down again.  This is then followed by the reporter introducing the songwriter, as well as the interpreter.  He interviews the songwriter, and learns more about the song.  Once the interview was over, so was the recording, as it faded away with the music.

Again, I believe the styles of writing to be similar to that of an annotated map.  Where as a subject is introduced, and then branches off into a more detailed line of information relating to a topic within the area the subject includes.  It is structured so that the audience has an idea of what will be discussed, which later expands with more sources of information being used, in order to support the thesis.  For example, in “It’s Gibberish, but Italian Pop Song Still Means Something” the reporter states that the song is of greater significance than the garbled nonsense the singers sing, and that the songwriter intended it to be about communication.  He helps prove himself by interviewing the songwriter firsthand, and actually having him state that the reporter’s thesis is correct.

I do not believe the report is similar at all to an essay, due to how swift the information is presented.  I feel as though an essay usually beats around the bush, while this recording gets right to the point when it comes to stating the thesis and the points that help support it.  An essay takes its time to build up the suspense of facts needed to prove one’s self, but this recording does all that in an extremely timely manner that does not bore the listener.

I might like to talk about the Tiki Luau that happens at the beginning of every school year.  The Tiki Luau is especially known as a way to welcome new students to ASU.  I would also like to look into possibly talking about Snowpacolypse, another event held by RHA, which is held near the end of the first semester.  Either way, I think I would like to discuss one of the big events that ASU hosts, and see what some of my friends think of it.