Critical Analysis

Research Methods

Short paper assignment: Critical Analysis of “Avant-Garde and Kitsch”

Due: September 27

Think about our texts and discussions related to formalism and read Clement Greenberg’s “Avant-Garde and Kitsch.” You can find a copy with images at http://www.sharecom.ca/greenberg/kitsch.html

What’s the overall purpose of the article? What’s Greenberg’s thesis statement? How does he attempt to prove it? Is his evidence credible or can you identify flaws in his argument? Does he make any assumptions and generalizations in his text? Does he ever seem to contradict himself? Read the definition of “formalism,” and ask yourself: In what ways is Greenberg a formalist, and in what ways might his text not be quintessentially formalist? These questions and others are important to consider when writing a critical analysis.

Once you’ve read the article and thought about these questions, you need to establish your own point of view and expand on Greenberg’s text in some way. Decide if you agree or disagree with Greenberg’s overarching argument and explain how and why. If you agree with his point of view, you’ll need to supply additional evidence of your own. If you disagree with his argument in some way, then you need to point out the flaw(s) in the logic and offer counter-evidence. If necessary, you should also produce a revised argument.

Please keep in mind that the purpose of the assignment is for you to produce a convincing critical analysis. You won’t have enough space in this short paper assignment to pick apart each of Greenberg’s sentences, so feel free to focus on one or more specific issues that intrigue you most. You also need to be consistent in your point of view, so please do NOT write a wishy-washy text that explains things you liked in one paragraph and things you disliked in another. Your point of view should be clear and consistent throughout the body of your paper.

Research

You will likely have to do additional research. You should be careful about your sources. Your paper is only as credible as your sources.

You need to write your notes and a bibliography, following the Chicago Manual of Style. Below are a sample note and bibliography for you:

Notes

1. Clement Greenberg, “Avant-Garde and Kitsch,” Sharecom, http://www.sharecom.ca/greenberg/kitsch.html (accessed September 3, 2014).

Bibliography

Greenberg, Clement. “Avant-Garde and Kitsch,” “Avant-Garde and Kitsch.”

Sharecom. http://www.sharecom.ca/greenberg/kitsch.html (accessed September 3, 2014).

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Helpful Hints regarding Structure

From a structural standpoint, an introduction might look like a funnel. The paragraph typically begins with a broad idea to entice your reader, and each sentence thereafter becomes more specific identifying the historical context and key issues at stake in your paper. Somewhere in the middle of your introduction, you should name Greenberg and the title of his article, explaining the overall purpose in his text. The last sentence is typically your thesis statement, which should explain your point of view and be convincingly argued in 2-3 pages.

Each of your supporting paragraphs needs a clear topic sentence that directly relates to your thesis. Your paragraphs should be cohesive and analyze the specific topic of the paragraph fully. You’ll need transitions from paragraph to paragraph.

Your conclusion should remind your reader of your thesis, summarize your main points, and offer your reader something extra to ponder regarding your overall topic.

Format

All papers are typed and double spaced, with footnotes and a bibliography. Include images when necessary. In your text please indicate that there is an image by placing the word fig. followed by a number after the title and use parentheses:

Leonardo painted Mona Lisa (fig. 1) in c. 1503-6.