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art_analysis_paper1.doc

Choose one work that particularly engages you. Take time to look at the work in detail; include a picture of the work. Ask yourself: "How does the piece ‘work’? What is the artist doing? Why do I have a particular response (such as joy, fear, curiosity)?" Your response is, to a great extent, the result of the choices the artist has made in the process of creation. You will find useful ideas for thinking and writing about works of art in the text which was required for this course in chapter 1. The following is a specific outline for this paper. Part of your grade will be determined by how well you follow this outline. Other important aspects are thoroughness, clarity, and a demonstrated sensitivity to the work of art as shown in the rubric at the end. Parts 3 and 6 are 80% of the grade for this paper.

1. State the title, artist, date, dimensions, and medium (what it is made of) of the work.

2. State the name of the exhibition in which the work was displayed.

3. Introduce the reader to the work of art by writing a brief, overall description of it. (Simple not detailed)

4. Discuss the Elements of Art and Principles of Design that you think are important in understanding and analyzing this work.

5. Always refer to the artist by her or his last name, not the first name.

6. Explain your personal response to the work based on its form as you analyzed it in the previous sections. (Why did you like/dislike it?)

7. Include a photograph/picture of the artwork (Google images or similar)

8. Staple the pages together; make sure your name is on the paper.

The following list of the Elements of Art and the Principles of Design will help you to focus on the most important aspects of the work you are analyzing. Discuss the element or principles that seem to create the meaning of the work or contribute to its aesthetic quality.

1. Elements of Art

· line - shape and mass - light, value, color - texture - space - time and motion

2. Principles of Design

· unity and variety - balance - emphasis - focal point - proportion and scale - rhythm

Although different texts may sometimes use different terms, the basic concepts are the same. The textbook reviews some fundamental terms in the "Introduction" to your textbook for this course. If you should want an additional review of these elements and principles, consult any textbook for a college level Art Appreciation or Art History course.

Keep in mind:

1. Writing a formal analysis does involve your interpretation of and personal response to the work, but your reactions must be supported by referring to specific elements and qualities which you see in the work.

2. Accept the work as it is. Do not "second guess" the artist and make such statements as, "I think the painting would have been better if the artist had . . ."

3. Titles of exhibitions are in quotation marks; titles of works of art are underlined or are in italics.

Common mistakes you will want to avoid:

1. Failure to proofread your paper to check for spelling, punctuation, subject/verb agreement, incomplete sentences, run-on sentences, etc. Don’t rely on your computer’s spellchecker; the computer may not know if you mean "there" or "their."

2. Confusing "it’s" and "its."

3. Referring to the artist by her/his first name. Would you write English literature paper on Romeo and Juliette and refer to the author as "William"?

4. Handing in your paper and asking me if I have a stapler.

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Rubric

Demonstrates

Exemplary

College-Level

Writing

4

Demonstrates

Proficient

College-Level

Writing

3

Demonstrates

Satisfactory

College-Level

Writing

2

Demonstrates

Emerging

College-Level

Writing

1

Stated or implied

thesis developed

logically,

coherently and

extensively with

convincing,

specific

supporting

details.

Strong evidence

of critical thinking.

No factual errors.

Thesis, stated or

implied, presents a

plan of

development that is

carried out.

Effective supporting

details.

Consistent

development.

No factual errors.

Thesis evident

but supported by

a mixture of

generalizations

and specific

detail.

Some factual

errors

Thesis evident

but support

very general

and/or

inconsistent.

Several factual

errors

Demonstrates

Effective

Development:

Thesis

Statement,

Main

points,

Supporting

information

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Rubric

Demonstrates

Exemplary

College-Level

Writing

4

Demonstrates

Proficient

College-Level

Writing

3

Demonstrates

Satisfactory

College-Level

Writing

2

Demonstrates

Emerging

College-Level

Writing

1

Central idea

clear.

Paragraph

structure

consistently and

effectively

supports content.

Clear logic and

effective

transitions

Central idea

clear.

Paragraph

structure

uniformly

supports content.

Consistency,

logic and

transitions well

managed

Central idea

evident.

Paragraph

structure

sometimes

supports content.

Consistency, logic

and transitions

show some

weaknesses.

Loose focus on

central idea,

contains some

repetition and

digression.

Paragraph

structure weak.

Demonstrates

Effective

Organization of

Content

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Rubric

Demonstrates

Exemplary

College-Level

Writing

4

Demonstrates

Proficient

College-Level

Writing

3

Demonstrates

Satisfactory

College-Level

Writing

2

Demonstrates

Emerging

College-Level

Writing

1

Choice of

language

consistently

precise,

purposeful.

Nearly flawless

sentence

structure, usage,

mechanics

contribute to

writer’s ability to

communicate

purpose.

Word choice

accurate, varied.

Occasional errors

in sentence

structure, usage

and mechanics

do not hinder

writer’s ability to

communicate

purpose.

Word choice

correct but simple/

without variety.

Errors in

mechanics and/ or

usage do not

obscure content of

assignment.

Frequent errors

in word choice.

Sentence

structure and

mechanics

seriously affect

clarity.

Employs

Effective

Language

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Rubric

Demonstrates

Exemplary

College-Level

Writing

4

Demonstrates

Proficient

College-Level

Writing

3

Demonstrates

Satisfactory

College-Level

Writing

2

Demonstrates

Emerging

College-Level

Writing

1

Communicates

purpose with

sophistication.

Beyond

understanding of

issues, shows

insight.

Style engages

audience,

establishes

writer’s

credibility.

Communicates

purpose

clearly.

Shows full

understanding

of issues.

Style

consistently

effective for

intended

audience.

Adheres to

purpose,

fulfills

assignment,

shows

adequate

understanding

of key issues.

Style generally

appropriate to

intended

audience.

Wavers in

purpose,

incompletely

addresses

assigned

topic or

directions,

shows need

for more

study of

issues.

Style uneven.

Addresses

Purpose and

Audience

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