Lyric Judging Criteria

Lyrics will be judged for the 7 Components of a Good Lyric and scored on a scale of 1 to 5

1 is the least – poor 3 is average  – need for some improvement 5 is the most – outstanding, clearly and professionally executed 7 COMPONENTS OF A GOOD LYRIC   Emotional Impact Does it move you, draw you in, pull on your heartstrings, make you laugh, cry, think, react? Does it entertain you? Is it believable? Hook Are the title and hook the same? Is it a strong hook? Is it effectively placed for impact? If there is a chorus, does the hook repeat? Originality How original is the song idea? How fresh is its approach? Would it stand out among hundreds of others with similar themes? Appeal Does the message/emotion have universal appeal within and outside its intended genre? Does it have a timeless feel? Does it have commercial potential? Focus What is the setting? Is there a story, characters– are they consistent, do they progress? Is there visual imagery? Do the verses set up the chorus? Does the chorus conclude? Does the bridge offer new meaning to the chorus, and/or give a twist to the story or message with lyrical changes that differ from the verses? Are the lyrics compact and concisely written? Phrasing/Cadence Would it sing well? Is it conversational? Does it allow the artist’s vocals to shine? Is there a consistent meter/rhythm/# of stresses from verse to verse? Form Consistent structure, rhyme, verse/chorus/bridge placement.