THIS HIGH-INTEREST BOOK builds writing and critical thinking skills by analyzing the lyrics of professional rappers. Students examine Jay-Z lyrics for metaphor use, Kanye West for personification, Eminem for internal rhyme and many more. Lyrics are analyzed under a microscope to figure out exactly how the best emcees craft their lines.

RAP CAN HELP TEACH THE LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM. As any hip-hop fan will tell you, the best rappers rival the classic poets when it comes to using clever similes or creative slant-rhyme schemes. The book features lyrical examples from Tupac, Mos Def, Outkast, Nas, Common, Jay-Z, Biggie, Eminem and others. All lyrical excerpts are classroom appropriate and packed with language arts content.