SONG WRITING 101 EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
"Creativity has much to do with experience, observation and imagination... and if any of these
key elements are missing, it doesn't work. " - ANS Bob Dylan
"When writing a song, if you're afraid to suck, you'll never write a note." - ANS Jeff Boyle
"The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the
familiar, is the test of their power." - ANS Toni Morrison
"People say to write about what you know. I'm here to tell you, no one wants to read that, cos
you don't know anything. So write about something you don't know. And don't be scared, ever."
- ANS Toni Morrison
Finding a melody or chord progression to start with - ANS Noodling
This section, which is where the song typically starts, reveals the melody of the chorus, or
sometimes the verse, in instrumental form.
It's purpose is to get the ear ready and introduce all that is to come - ANS Intro
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Reveals the storyline and melody of the song. It helps propel the listener to the chorus while
conveying the song's basic mood and message
The lyrics of the verse tend to expand from verse to verse, with new information added to move
the story along.
The melody and chord pattern are usually the same except for minor variations in melody
usually to make a lyric fit - ANS Verse
Sometimes a short section of a song precedes the chorus. It provides 'fresh terrain' both lyrically
and melodically before pressing on to the chorus.
Usually no more than 8 bars in length. It might even be a single line.
Not essential, but it can add a nice twist when it's used - ANS Pre-chorus
Sometimes called the middle eight, comes after the second chorus in the majority of pop songs.
Not a necessity in all songs.
It can either contain lyrics or be instrumental in nature.
Main function is to give the listener a break from the established verse and chorus, providing a
different melody and harmonic progression
A lyrical twist may also be exposed here. Sometimes they contain a twist of the story's plot line
or a change in the narrative point of view
The name refers to the bridge between the halves of the song - ANS Bridge
A special ending section, also called an outro or a tag, can be added to the end of a song
It's typically kind of a grand finale - ANS Coda
In this verse form, different lyrics are places over the same music and are repeated in close
succession.
The chorus and bridge are often eliminated in this form, so the title typically appears in the first
or last line of the verse.
This form works when a story is being told, using each verse to propel the action forward.
Church hymns usually fall into this category, as do many folk songs; Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell,
Joan Baez, and Judy Collins use this form - ANS Single Verse Form
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
2
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
"Creativity has much to do with experience, observation and imagination... and if any of these
key elements are missing, it doesn't work. " - ANS Bob Dylan
"When writing a song, if you're afraid to suck, you'll never write a note." - ANS Jeff Boyle
"The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the
familiar, is the test of their power." - ANS Toni Morrison
"People say to write about what you know. I'm here to tell you, no one wants to read that, cos
you don't know anything. So write about something you don't know. And don't be scared, ever."
- ANS Toni Morrison
Finding a melody or chord progression to start with - ANS Noodling
This section, which is where the song typically starts, reveals the melody of the chorus, or
sometimes the verse, in instrumental form.
It's purpose is to get the ear ready and introduce all that is to come - ANS Intro
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
1
, Reveals the storyline and melody of the song. It helps propel the listener to the chorus while
conveying the song's basic mood and message
The lyrics of the verse tend to expand from verse to verse, with new information added to move
the story along.
The melody and chord pattern are usually the same except for minor variations in melody
usually to make a lyric fit - ANS Verse
Sometimes a short section of a song precedes the chorus. It provides 'fresh terrain' both lyrically
and melodically before pressing on to the chorus.
Usually no more than 8 bars in length. It might even be a single line.
Not essential, but it can add a nice twist when it's used - ANS Pre-chorus
Sometimes called the middle eight, comes after the second chorus in the majority of pop songs.
Not a necessity in all songs.
It can either contain lyrics or be instrumental in nature.
Main function is to give the listener a break from the established verse and chorus, providing a
different melody and harmonic progression
A lyrical twist may also be exposed here. Sometimes they contain a twist of the story's plot line
or a change in the narrative point of view
The name refers to the bridge between the halves of the song - ANS Bridge
A special ending section, also called an outro or a tag, can be added to the end of a song
It's typically kind of a grand finale - ANS Coda
In this verse form, different lyrics are places over the same music and are repeated in close
succession.
The chorus and bridge are often eliminated in this form, so the title typically appears in the first
or last line of the verse.
This form works when a story is being told, using each verse to propel the action forward.
Church hymns usually fall into this category, as do many folk songs; Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell,
Joan Baez, and Judy Collins use this form - ANS Single Verse Form
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
2
