Describe to students that songwriting is both a technical and creative process. It's a good idea for songwriters to carry a notebook to write down ideas for songs as they occur.
Explain to students that most songs have three parts: verses, a chorus and a bridge. Describe the differences among the three. Verses push the story forward lyrically and often contain more lyrics than the other parts. Choruses are hooks with the main lyrical message of the song and often contain the catchiest chords and melodies. Bridges typically use different chords than verses and choruses and lyrically show a turning point in the song.
Encourage students to listen to sample songs and point out verses, choruses and bridges. Have them point out the differences among the parts and how songwriters make the parts work for their songs.
Tell students to explore their own writing styles. Have them write their own songs with all three parts and review their work. If you have multiple students, encourage them to share their work and give each other constructive feedback.