Source document Analysis1

Robert D. Swenson

Fall 2008 or maybe Spring 2009 (the book says both)

Hiva Usa: Preserving Sacred Choral Music of Tonga

Journal of Inquiry

Volume 4, 43 - 56

1. What is the source’s stated purpose (the argument or thesis)?

To better understand Hiva Usa and what makes it unique.

2. What evidence does the author provide to support his or her main argument? How is the author attempting to logically prove his or her thesis and how does this affect the organization of the document?

                  He provides the background and history of Tonga and its music, interviews he’s conducted with people about the music, descriptions of the genres defining properties, and in-depth analyses of several Hiva Usa songs.

3. Who is the audience? What does the author assume the audience already knows about the topic?

                  The audience is anybody and everybody, but maybe more specifically people who are interested in Tonga and people who are interested in music. The author assumes that the audience has a basic knowledge of music and different music styles.

4. Describe the author’s methods (i.e. how does the author know what he or she knows)?  In your opinion were they appropriate why or why not?

The author conducted interviews, and analyzed six Hiva Usa songs. I think these methods were appropriate because not only did he listen to and analyze the music using his own knowledge of music, but he talked to natives about what the music was to them; this being, in my mind, much more important than anything he could have analyzed. It would have been nice however, to have a little more of why the Tongan people think their music is special and unique.

5. To what other sources (theorist, researchers, artists) does the author refer? Explain the specific ideas the author draws upon from these other sources to support his or her own argument (the theoretical framework).                 

                  He refers to several Tongan musical and historical experts to help him define Tongan music and its unique qualities. From them he learns the history of Tonga, its music, the meaning of the name “Hiva Usu” and the meaning of the songs.

6. What are the connections between this source and your project? How useful or applicable is this source’s approach to your own project? How is yours new and different? 

            This doesn’t have a whole lot to do with my project, but I liked what he was able to find from his interviews with the native people. I would also like to use this approach of interviewing in making my film. The natives obviously have first hand accounts of what is going on around them and can give better information even than a book or news article.