English A School Based

Assessment
Crime
‘Negative Impact of Dancehall Music on
Youths’

Name of Center: St.Joseph’s Convent

Center Code: 140002
Year of Examination: 2024
Name of Candidate: Alyssa Phillips
Candidate Number: 1400022077
Name of Teacher: Mrs. A. Richardson Phillip
 Table of Contents

Acknowledgment…………………………………………………………………..2

Plan of Investigation……………………………………………………………….3

Reflection Entries…………………………………………………………………...4
Entry #1………………………………………………………………………………….4
Entry #2………………………………………………………………………………….5
Entry #3………………………………………………………………………………….6

Personal Pieces……………………………………………………………………….7
Poster titled ‘Don’t Lump All Dancehall Artists
Together’………………………………………………………………………………...7
Article on Impact of Dancehall Music on
Society…………………………………………………………………..………………..7
Video on Impact of Dancehall Music on Jamaican School
Children…………………………………………………………………………….…….8

Written Report………………………………………………………………………9-10

Plan of Oral Presentation and Creative Piece…………………………..11-12

References……………………………………………………………………………....13

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 Acknowledgment

I would like to express sincere gratitude to my English A teacher for

patience and feedback and as well as my group members for their time
and efforts on completing this School Based Assessment (SBA).

Lastly, I would like to thank my mother for assisting me with regards to

coming up with creative ideas and emotional support.

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 Plan of Investigation
The broad topic for this School Based Assessment (SBA) is Crime.
However, the subtopic the researcher chose is ‘ The Negative Impact of
Dancehall Music on Youths.’ The rationale for the investigation is to create
awareness for parents that they would be informed of the music genres
and the impact on their children.

The researcher will review several data sources but will limit this
investigation to three sources- a written article, poster and video. As a
student of English, the researcher hopes to acquire and improve these
skills:
● Oracy
● Analysis
● Negotiation
● Communication

The researcher hopes to use analysis and communication skills to

research. Additionally, oracy will be used in the oral presentation.

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 Reflection Entries

Reflection 1: The YouTube video "Dancehall music and its impact on the
youths in the Jamaican school system" highlights its detrimental effects on
Caribbean youth, including crime, gun violence and substance abuse, this
caused me to feel guilt for victims and perpetrators.

My second source was a poster captioned ‘ Don’t lump all dancehall

artistes together’ featuring a dancehall musician who makes derogatory
music about weapons , drugs, etc., and who ultimately gets shot by a gang
member who likes his music. This poster made me realize how intequal
dancehall music is to society’s crime problem.

My third source was a piece by Sandra Joseph named ‘Impact of dancehall

music on society’. It mostly discusses how young adult’s musical tastes
have a major impact on their attitudes and behaviors, and how parents
should become mindful about what they allow them to listen to. The
points made were well-supported by facts and were quite concise.

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Reflection 2: The video titled 'Dancehall music and its impact on the
youths in the Jamaican school system' effectively presents a formal and
informative analysis. It specifically highlights the lyrical content of
dancehall music, illustrating how it often includes sexual explicitness,
violence, and obscenities. The speaker's tone throughout the video
remains assertive and clear, effectively getting the message across.

In the poster accompanying the video, the use of language shifts to an

informal and somewhat hostile tone. This choice reflects the traditional
Jamaican accent, as dancehall music is deeply embedded in Jamaican
culture. Furthermore, the poster effectively utilizes illustrations to further
convey its message.

Similarly, the article titled 'Impact of dancehall music on society'

maintains a formal style while focusing on the profound impact of
dancehall music. It discusses how the music often portrays violent
behavior, sexual themes, and drug use, providing readers with valuable
insights into how dancehall music influences individuals and society as a
whole.

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Reflection 3: This School Based Assessment (SBA) has helped the
researcher to develop key leadership and communication skills. It also
helped the researcher to reveal hidden skills and innovative ideas which
can be used in the future. The researcher has grown to be more focused
and to think critically.

However, there were a few challenges faced by the group members during
the process of completing the task. Although the communication within
the group was clear, there was one particular group member who needed
extra guidance and motivation on completing their tasks.

The topic, crime has certainly expanded the researcher’s knowledge on

the various contributions and impacts of crime on youth in society. The
researcher developed a sense of guilt and remorse for the victims and
young adults involved in crime. Since dancehall music portrays such
negative values, the researcher thinks that parents should restrict their
children from listening to such explicit music.

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 Personal Pieces
Poster:

URL:https://images.app.goo.gl/R724pn4hUFZ7hVxJ7

Article:

URL:https://studymoose.com/
impact-of-dancehall-music-on-society-essay
Video;

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URL:https://youtu.be/_xf0uVZWYJw?si=4liOaC5UxP-9FOGZ

Written Report
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The three sources were chosen by the group in a cooperative manner
after considering the sources submitted by each member and setting up a
voting poll. The first source was a video entitled 'Why America's murder
rate has spiked'. This source was chosen because it was informative and it
gave a broad overview of Crime. Secondly, the article entitled 'Homicide'
by Fiona Brookman was educational and it gave a comprehensive
overview of the serious consequences of homicides on our society. Finally,
the poster was selected because dance hall songs contain lyrics that can
encourage people to engage in criminal acts.

Significantly, the video powerfully illustrates the devastating

consequences of gun violence, showcasing real-life homicides that have
occurred. Moreover, it goes a step further by presenting compelling
insights from a seasoned professional, who discusses how the incidence of
homicide has alarmingly skyrocketed in recent times.

Similarly the article, entitled 'Homicide' is based on a respected expert in

criminology and provides valuable insights into the complex phenomenon
of homicide. This article delves into the serious consequences of
homicides in today’s society. It provides a comprehensive overview of
different forms of homicide and explores contributing factors.

The final source that was chosen was a poster that illustrated how
dancehall music might have a detrimental impact on society and
contribute to crime. Dancehall music was chosen because some of its
lyrics have the potential to incite illegal behavior.

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However, there were some difficulties in coordinating schedules and
managing different opinions but the crime solvers were able to overcome
these challenges through communication and compromise. Through
analysis and discussion, each participant produced ideas to add to the
report. Ideas were summarized by the summarizer, the typist organized
the paragraphs and was then edited by the editor. Lastly, the written
report was reviewed by the proofreader.

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 Plan for Oral Presentation

Plan for Oral Presentation:

I have chosen to write a l'aurora poem entitled ‘Dancehall’s Influence’.
This type of genre was chosen because it is the most effective and
innovative way in educating the youth on the negative impacts of
dancehall music. A few techniques that were used in the poem were
metaphor, simile and as well as rhyme. Violence and delinquency were the
two main themes highlighted in my creative piece.

For preparation for my presentation I will create a voice recording of

myself reciting the poem and listen to it over and over again. I will also
recite the poem to myself daily with the aid of a timer to ensure that I am
within the time frame.

Creative Piece:
Author: Alyssa Phillips
Title: Dancehall’s Influence.

In the land of Caribbean dreams

where dirty blues are abused.
By the upcoming leaders of tomorrow
misleading them to a mistaken path.
Where their corrupt thoughts eat them alive
causing them to commit senseless delinquency.

Without knowing that they will regret

their careless act of indecency.

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The explicit lyrics filled with strife
turns violence into a norm
leaving meaningful values neglected.
Turning one’s once innocent mind,

like an expired carton of milk.

Substance abuse,it finds its place
a slippery slope, a dangerous slide.
Through dancehall’s rhythm it finds a space.
But let’s not cast blame alone,
on the inexperienced,

for dirty blues’ influence,

cannot be resisted.
Which led the youths into temptation
their pure hearts and minds are now forsaken.
Yet we must re-route them to the correct path,
to reborn their minds that may have been mistaken.

For Caribbean youth we will clear the haze,

And build them a bigger and brighter future
to allow them to not regret,
but yet, reflect on their wrong doings
And to seek forgiveness from the one above.
In order for them to go through deliverance,

and to fulfill a worthwhile purpose.

To finally forget about dancehall’s existence.

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 References
Crawford. A D. The Effects of Dancehall genre on adolescents’ sexual and
violent behavior in Jamaica: A public health concern. North American
Journal of Medical Sciences, March 15th,2012.
URL;https://images.app.goo.gl/R724pn4hUFZ7hVxJ7

Sandra Joseph, titled ‘The Impact of Dancehall Music on Society’, July

6th,2022.
URL;https://studymoose.com/impact-of-dancehall-music-on-society-
essay

Uploaded by StacyAnn Lee, entitled ‘ Impact of Dancehall Music on

Jamaican School Children’, April 12th,2018.
URL:https://youtu.be/_xf0uVZWYJw?si=4liOaC5UxP-9FOGZ

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