Taylor Swift Critique
Taylor Swift’s Open Letter to Apple Music
Purpose of the document:
Taylor Swift’s open letter posted on Tumblr awakened a reality on the challenges on new music artists. The purpose of the letter is to reach out to the Apple Music. The letter is concerned about the new streaming which offers a 3-month free trial to its customers. Although it is deemed as beneficial and an excellent strategy to attract customers. The letter addressed that the music artists and producers who had songs available at the streaming site won’t be paid by Apple within the trial period. Because of this reason the letter aims to make Apple reconsider the new policy because it would greatly affect new music artists.
Writer’s Persona:
Taylor Swift’s reputation in the music industry is well established, it allowed her to have power to become the voice of the rights of the new artists. But still she was careful on the things she expressed and addressed mainly because of her reputation and popularity.
Intended Reader:
The open letter was intended to be read by millions of Taylor’s supporters, to the people who are unaware of the issue, and to be read by the Apple Music itself. She used her popularity and reputation as an independent artist to gain support for her opinions.
Strengths:
Taylor Swift used her fame as power to spread the issue among millions of people. In this way, she become a great advocate to her colleagues in the music industry.
Weaknesses:
Somehow contradicting between the first and middle part of the open letter. On the first part she stated that she would be explaining the reason of why she would hold back her album. Then she stated that letter was not about her on the later part. It became a weakness because this could have a double meaning and thus lessen the significance of what she was expressing concern of.
Revisions:
The introduction needs a clearer and direct to the point purpose and intentions and be more certain on who and what is concerned in the letter.
