Lyrics

✧ A Genius annotation is a note that explains the deeper meaning behind lyrics. There are a few different kinds of annotations: Lyric Annotations -> Click here for an example Bios -> Click here for an example Cover Art Annotations -> Click here for an example You can also contribute to existing annotations: Suggestions -> Click here for an example Proposed Edits -> Click here for an example ✧ Here are the rules you should always follow when annotating: Don't Restate The Lyric -> Click here to learn more Write Like A Human -> Click here to learn more Watch Grammar & Spelling -> Click here to learn more Do Research & Hyperlink Sources -> Click here to learn more Highlight All Relevant Lyrics -> Click here to learn more Master Formatting -> Click here to learn more Include Media That Adds Depth -> Click here to learn more Be Objective -> Click here to learn more Be Concise & Specific -> Click here to learn more Be Evergreen -> Click here to learn more ✧ Here are some more nuanced practices you can follow to make sure your annotations are always great: Use The Active Voice: Sentences in the active voice are structured so the subject performs the action stated by the verb. Active voice is generally easier to understand. -> Click here to learn more Use Primary Sources: Wikipedia and other encyclopedic sources are great places to learn, but shouldn't be hyperlinked in annotations unless it's absolutely necessary. Never link Urban Dictionary. -> Click here to learn more Order By Importance: The most important information should go at the beginning of the annotation. Save images, GIFs, and videos for the middle or the end, and never start an annotation with a quote. -> Click here to learn more Avoid Hiding Info Behind Links: Don't force your readers to go hunting for the sauce. Sauce it up in the annotation and allow your links to complement what you wrote. -> Click here to learn more Only Quote The Best Stuff: Quote what artists have said, not what others have written about them. Cut quotes to the parts that make the most sense for your annotation. -> Click here to learn more Line-Level vs. Song-Level: Info pertinent to specific lyrics should go in annotations on the relevant lines, and info about the entire song should go in the song bio or Q&A. Annotations on section headers are only rarely appropriate. -> Click here to learn more Editors use the Annotation Commandments to decide whether an annotation should be accepted and edited to become an official "Genius annotation," or rejected if it doesn't match our editorial standards. Click here to learn about earning the Editor role. ✧ Here are the basics of editing: Accepting & Editing: You have to accept an annotation first before you edit it. Edits can range from fixing typos to overhauling the whole thing, but the goal is to make improvements. You'll get contribution credit based on how much of the annotation you change. -> Click here to learn more Rejecting: To reject an annotation, you have to select one of three main reasons: "Restating the Line," "It's a Stretch," or "Missing Something." Selecting "Other" requires you to leave a note briefly explaining your rejection. -> Click here to learn more Integrating & Archiving: You can integrate or archive suggestions and proposed edits that other users leave on annotations. Integrating brings the user's suggestion into the annotation and gives them contribution credit based on how much of the annotation they change. Archiving removes the suggestion from the annotation. -> Click here to learn more Deleting: It's sometimes necessary to delete annotations previously accepted by other editors if they're not up to standard. You'll also need to delete annotations if you're accepting and deleting a lyric correction annotation. -> Click here to learn more Changing the Referent: Click the "Edit Lyrics" button and copy-paste the corresponding annotation ID to change the referent. Changing the referent can ensure the annotation covers all repeated lyrics, or covers adjacent lines that closely relate to the annotation's main idea. -> Click here to learn more ✧ Here are some more complicated tools and tricks for editors: Merging Annotations: To merge two annotations, copy the contents of the first annotation, integrate the info you copied into the second annotation, delete the first annotation, and adjust the referent. -> Click here to learn more Research Methods: The citations at the bottom of Wikipedia articles and Google Books samples are goldmines. Replace boring links and lackluster sentiments with relevant and unique info that enhances the annotation. -> Click here to learn more Fact-Checking & Avoiding Bias: Be conscious about problematic lyrics or sensitive information. If an annotation states something definitively that hasn't yet been confirmed, tweak the language to be accurate, objective, and analytical. -> Click here to learn more Refining Language: No matter how well-written an annotation is, it can always be improved. Brush up on your grammar skills and be meticulous about word choice, structure, organization, and expression. -> Click here to learn more Pushing the Boundaries: There are fringe scenarios where unorthodox annotation styles work, and that's how annotation culture evolves. Don't be afraid to experiment, as long as you're saying something interesting and don't violate the editorial standards. -> Click here to learn more ✧ Tate Talks are forum posts about annotation culture. They act both as resources and as centers of discussion for specific elements of annotating & editing. If you're interested in writing a Tate Talk, send @Empath a message. The best Tate Talks will be featured below and credited to the author. Research & Interpretation by @JohnGanz Style Guide by @nietzsche Removing Filler by @Dyazz Citing the Bible by @CalebMac116 Mastering Linked Citation by @scopeyclaire Connections To Other Works by @VinylZombie_MCR Updating Old Annotations by @theonlydjorkaeff Quote Etiquette by @sereinik Song Bio Best Practices by @babuc Structuring Annotations by @theonlydjorkaeff Annotating Problematic Lyrics by @epaulettes Fact-Checking & Avoiding Bias by @Empath Contextualizing by @Vesuvius Annotating Multiple Language Songs by @roy068 Refining Language by @Empath Annotating Artwork by @FGV & @Pessoa ✧ Here are some quick definitions for terms related to annotating & editing on Genius: Allusion Annotation ID Archive Editorial Standards Integrate Interpolation Red Reference Referent Revert Sample Scholars Tate