Western art term paper 5 pages

Quality

Thesis

Development

Organization

Language Use

Grammar

Visual Analysis

Comparison with canonical paintings

Visual attachments

Originality

Choice of artworks

An “A” paper:

Has a clear, succinct thesis that specifically states the student’s argument/main points; thesis is proven

Has ideas that are developed clearly & fully, making effective use of specific evidence

Maintains focus; exhibits a logical and coherent structure; has excellent paragraph transitions; has appropriate title; paragraphs are appropriate length; has sentence structure variety

Uses language that is stylistically sophisticated, precise and engaging

Has no grammatical and/or spelling errors and is carefully proofread

Makes insightful comparisons between the art works; has an outstanding eye; demonstrates great understanding of styles

Contextualizes artworks by comparing them to objects discussed in class or in textbook; chooses highly appropriate canonical works

Has postcards, copies, photos or digital printouts for images with objects’ location (museum) listed

Contains original ideas

Has two carefully chosen artworks. The student has justified his/her selection in a convincing manner.

A “B” paper:

Has a thesis that summarizes student’s intentions but is vague. Thesis is not proven.

Has ideas that need some further development and more specific evidence

Occasionally diverges from the organization set forth in the thesis; has paragraphs that are too long or too short; has somewhat awkward transitions; has descriptive title; is repetitive; needs to improve sentence structure variety

Uses appropriate language; overuses some words

Has some grammatical and/or spelling errors; was not proofread carefully; needs to avoid passive voice

Makes good comparisons; has a good eye; demonstrates acceptable understanding of styles

Mentions artworks from class or the textbook merely in passing; chooses canonical works that are acceptable.

Has somewhat illegible or black-and-white images; does not indicate location of images

Relies slightly on wall labels/textbook/class rather than own ideas

Has some justification for the choice of artworks; the comparison seems somewhat forced

A “C” paper:

Has a superficial attempt at a thesis

Develops ideas briefly

Establishes, but fails to maintain, an appropriate focus; includes irrelevant material; has awkward transitions; lacks title; lacks sentence structure variety

Relies on basic vocabulary and overuses words

Has many grammatical and/or spelling errors; was not proofread

Makes okay comparisons; lacks insight; tends to describe rather than analyze; misidentifies styles

Fails to contextualize or chooses canonical works that are weak

Has illegible images; does not indicate location of images

Relies on wall labels, textbooks, lectures rather than own ideas

Has minimal justification for the choice of artworks; the comparison seems forced.

A “D” paper:

Has no thesis

Fails to develop ideas

Shows no focus or organization

Uses imprecise or unsuitable language; reveals little awareness of how to use sentences to achieve an effect

Has grammatical and/or spelling errors that are so abundant they distract the reader; was not proofread

Does not effectively compare images

Makes no references to other artworks

Fails to attach images

Relies heavily on wall labels, textbooks, & lecture rather than own ideas

Fails to justify the selection of artworks under discussion.