Research- English

prof. HOWARD RESEARCH PAPER ENGL 100/101 | Spr 2023

ASSIGNMENT: Write a 1,250–1,400 word research paper explaining a social activism or protest art movement, highlighting its major artists (or the groups involved), providing historical/cultural context, and analyzing one or more emblematic art pieces.

This is an expository paper .

“Exposition is a type of oral or written discourse that is used to explain, describe, give information or inform” (University of Michigan, “Information About Expository Writing”).

It is the most common type of writing you will do in school, work, and life.

CHOOSING A TOPIC:

1. Think of an artist or a type of art you want to learn more about.

2. Read about the artist, the art form, the time period, and the purpose or impact of the art form or a particular piece of art.

3. Think of how to explain and analyze one or more important art pieces of the movement or form.

POSSIBLE VISUAL ART FROMS & MOVEMENTS: anti-war; social movements; public health issues; pro-democracy; murals & graffiti; performance & installation; low riders … and many more!

BREAKING DOWN YOUR RESEARCH & PAPER: THE FIVE Ws

WHAT: Art Form / Movement / Description of Art Pieces

WHEN & WHERE: Historical and Cultural Context

WHO: Major Artist(s) / Art Collectives

WHY: Importance and/or impact of this art

I will be looking for…

· a clear explanation of the art form, style, and/or movement;

· a thesis statement explaining the importance of this art form – how did it (or a piece or an artist) raise consciousness or impact public opinion? ( Conclude with an explanation of this idea in the final paragraph.)

· topic sentences that forecast paragraph content, build on previous paragraph’s idea, and connect to thesis statement;

· an integration of appropriate, academic sources that support your thesis and your topic discussion.

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