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Belen Ramírez

Professor Wong

ENG 0101E

10 September 2023

Summary of

“Happy songs: these are the musical elements that make us feel good.” by Michael Bonshor

While people experience their daily lives, music always accompanies them in some ways.

Music has a the power to enhance human emotions and influence in the on well-being, it helps to

improve the mood and channel emotions, so music can be a tool to find psychological support

and have a positive impact in on the human body and mind. Listening to music, according to

experts, can bring benefits to the nervous system, immune system, hormone production and

neurotransmitters release. In addition, it is important to know that there are some factors that

make music more enjoyable to a person, these factors have nothing to do with lyrics, language,

or genre, but they are more related to the rhythm. Familiarity is key as music evokes more

positive responses when aligned with personal preferences, and a person can easily enjoy music

if it resembles music that he or she already enjoys. Another characteristic is the “surprise factor”

that comes with a song when there are unexpected musical changes that make the listener feel

anticipation for what comes next. In fact, when predictability and surprise are in balance, music

manages to deliver a pleasurable experience.

Bonshor states that “Music that is perceived as happy is usually written in a major key

with a bright tone, featuring instruments with bright timbre, such as trumpets or electric guitars”,

this may be true, but it must be considered that each person is different, and preferences may

vary according to nationality, age, culture, and other aspects of individuals. Nowadays, there is a
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wide repertoire of music that can be easily accessed thanks to the internet and portable devices,

so it is easier to find pleasant music that fits into each preference.

After what has been mentioned, music's profound influence on human well-being is

undeniable and there are certain characteristics that contribute to this and increase the benefits

that people can get from it. Even if it is slow music or fast music, classic or pop, if the person

feels good listening to it and it resonates with their preferences, that is what is important.

Works Cited

Bonshor, Michael. “Happy Songs: These Are the Musical Elements That Make Us Feel Good.”

The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2023, theconversation.com/happy-songs-these-are-the-

musical-elements-that-make-us-feel-good-201342. Accessed 08 Sept. 2023.

Observations:

 The essay has multiple paragraphs when it should be just one.

 It has one quotation.

 The author supports her claims with the benefits presented on the nervous system,

immune system, etc.

 The essay could have benefited from examples of how music impacts different cultures.

 The conclusion recaps the central theme of the essay, highlighting that the thing that

matters is how the individual feels while listening to music.

 The MLA format is good, as well as the quotation and the work cited.