Artifact Analysis

1. Explain why you chose the object you did. I chose one of the CDs my choir director gives us because it is a big part of how we learn our songs especially if we miss a rehearsal. Also we must learn the songs outside of practice because we only have one rehearsal a week.

2. What do you already know about this object? How does that affect your interpretation of its significance (importance) in the subculture/community? It has the songs on it that we need to know for the upcoming concert. The CD is important because we only have one practice a week. The rest of the week we have to learn the songs on our own. That is where the CD comes into play. Its very significant because we learn our voice parts and also the words to the songs this way.

3. Think about the values this artifact reflects for this subculture. What are they? How do you know? (i.e. what things are made important? What things are shown to be good, appropriate, and liked?) The words, voice parts, pronunciation of words and even tempo of the song are all things made important by the CD. I know this because it is shown in our rehearsals.

4. How is this object used in the subculture? What does that tell you about its significance and the value it has for the group? It is used to learn the songs fully because sometimes we dont learn the full song in rehearsal. Also if we feel as if we are not comfortable with a song, we may listen to it on the way to a concert. This tells me that it is very significant because we probably wouldnt know the songs without the CD or be comfortable singing them without it.

5. What literacies are needed to use this artifact? You must be able to pick out your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor) and sing that part. The CD plays the songs with all voice parts singing at the same time (harmony) so you have to listen very closely to get your part. You must know how to use a CD player so you can actually play the CD.

6. What words or phrases stand out as lexis of the community? Full out meaning sing with your diaphragm or sing loud. Soft or falsetto meaning sing in a lower volume and higher pitch. Also during concerts our lexis is sign language. Patting the top of the head means go back to the beginning of the song. A three means three part harmony. Moving the arms means go to the next part of the song. Crossing the arms means stop the music while the choir is still singing meaning at that time we would be singing acappella. Lastly a fist means end the song.

7. How is this artifact connected to other behaviors and values in this group?

We value our concerts. We want to be able to reach people not just by singing but also by the words that are sang. We cant do this without knowing the words and that is one of the purposes of the CD. Sometimes we are touched ourselves by the songs we sing.

8. What research might you do on the object's history? uses? None really. The use is just to learn our songs outside of rehearsal so we are prepared for the next rehearsal, concert or even tour.

9. Finish this sentence: The three (or more) most important things this artifact tells me about this subculture are... because.... It involves music, attentive ears, and memorization because thats how we are able to produce successful concert.

What is your purpose? What is your goal for writing this? What should the reader take away? Are you trying to explain an aspect of the subculture/community to outsiders? Do you want to convince outsiders of the subculture/communitys value? Would you like members of the subculture/community to examine something about themselves? Are you comparing outsiders to insiders? If so, do you favor one side?

Mind mapping:

Linear outline: