Superprof survey finds English tutors left with a blank space on Taylor Swift and T. S. Eliot quiz

A new quiz from Superprof tests how well English tutors can separate Taylor Swift lyrics from classic poetry — and the results are, well, poetic

Online tutoring platform Superprof has released the results of a new survey testing whether English tutors can tell the difference between Taylor Swift lyrics and classic poetry. The platform asked 199 tutors to match excerpts from Swift’s discography and well-known works by poets such as T. S. Eliot and W. B. Yeats. The results were mixed.

Here at ETIH, we’re self-confessed Swifties, so when we saw this story cross our desk, we knew all too well it was one we had to cover. Inspired by the release of The Tortured Poets Department in 2024 and the ongoing online debate around Swift’s literary status, Superprof decided to put the question to the experts.

Superprof connects learners with tutors in more than 1,000 subjects worldwide, from academic support to music and creative arts. Its quiz-style survey aimed to explore whether even those most familiar with literary analysis could confidently separate the lyrics of a pop icon from lines of canonical poetry.

Survey results and lyrical confusion

Tutors were asked to identify whether lines came from songs like You Belong With Me or Mirror Ball, or classic poems like The Lover’s Song by Yeats and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by Eliot. While the average score was a respectable 79 percent, only 7 percent achieved full marks. One standout question tripped up more than a quarter of respondents, with 27 percent mistaking a Swift lyric for a Yeats verse.

Opinions were divided on whether Swift’s lyrics count as poetry. One participant described her as a “hugely overrated singer/writer,” while another argued she is a poet “whether or not she knows it.” Whether Swift is the next great literary voice or just penning a well-written love story, the debate shows no signs of slowing down.

Pop lyrics in the classroom?

Some educators believe there’s real value in using Swift’s writing to engage students. Neil Evans, a Superprof English tutor, said: “The methods of interpretation and close reading that people use to interpret these [Taylor Swift] lyrics are definitely transferable to other types of poetry and will hopefully lead people to explore further.
To be honest, I feel that using Taylor Swift’s poetry in lessons is more useful than the work of a lot of classic poets. She writes in an idiom that is immediately understandable to young people and she talks about everyday things that they are more likely to care about.”

The survey arrives as universities begin to take Swift more seriously. Queen Mary University will offer a Taylor Swift and Literature summer course this year, joining a growing number of institutions exploring her work in academic contexts. Swift’s rise from pop princess to potential poetry syllabus mainstay has left some wondering if she’s just another singer or a lyrical mastermind in her own right.

Mina Ozdemir, PR Manager at Superprof, said: “Superprof is home to a diverse range of subjects, as well as a number of excellent English tutors. After watching the debate unfold online, we thought it was best to put these tutors to the test and, as you can see, the results are fascinating. We support innovative ways of teaching on the platform and Taylor Swift potentially being part of a poetry syllabus is good news for Swifties, as well as those looking for new ways to discover the medium.”

We at ETIH fully support the idea of Swift in the syllabus, because when it comes to lyrical brilliance, she could make the whole place shimmer.