Lily Cave

March 31, 2024

Mr. Leeds
ENC1102

Generating Claims

Tentative Claim: would be that rhetoric in song lyrics could be beneficial in aiding dementia
patients’ memory retention.

Supporting evidence:

1. Primary evidence: Conducting interviews with dementia patients and/or caregivers would
be an ideal primary evidence, however because I do not have any contacts or resources
to do so I will use myself and friends to research what types of music at their exposure is
the most significant to memory improvement. I will also be conducting my own research
on handpicked music to analyze the song lyrics. Furthermore, by analyzing the song
lyrics myself I will distinguish the rhetorical devices such as: repetition, rhyme, and
rhythmic patterns which are known to aid memory recall.
2. Secondary Research: Studies such as A study by Simmons-Stern, Budson, and Ally
(2010) showed that music can act as a powerful mnemonic device in aiding memory
recollection. Another study by Särkämö et al. (2014) suggests that music-based
interventions can improve cognitive function and emotional well-being in dementia
patients. One study in my secondary research showed the impact of rhetorical devices
on memory recall indicating that some strategies like repetition, rhyme, and vivid imagery
can enhance retention and comprehension (e.g., Pressley et al., 1982, Johnson & Raye,
1981). These studies should support the idea that rhetoric in song lyrics enhances
memory function in patients that have been diagnosed with dementia.

Research Question: Is Rhetoric in song lyrics a benefit when helping dementia patients
remember?

Explanantion:
- My claim that rhetoric in song lyrics aiding dementia patients memory retention aligns
with the research question, showing a positive correlation in memory retention and
rhetorical devices. In my research of studies performed by professionals they have found
correlations that would support this claim. Therefore, this indicates that rhetorical devices
found in song lyrics benefits memory recall for patients with dementia.