Your Term Paper needs to consist of the following components:Introduction: In the first paragraph must include:The name of the artist (if known), title (which is italicized every time you use the titl

Your Term Paper needs to consist of the following components:

Introduction: In the first paragraph must include:

1. The name of the artist (if known), title (which is italicized every time you use the title in your paper, the date, and medium (if known)
2. A very brief description of the work
3. Thesis statement (main claim): The thesis statement answers question: Based on your formal analysis and your research, what do you think is the meaning or significance of the artwork?
4. Roadmap sentence: How is the rest of your paper going to go about answering the question above.

Part 1 - Formal Analysis: Must apply the Formal Elements of Art and the Principles of Design as applicable, especially those details of the work that have led you to come to your thesis. NO RESEARCH IS TO BE USED IN THIS PART OF THE PAPER because you are strictly relying on your ability to visually “read” a work of art and make interpretations about it based on your visual analysis of it. For each element and principle include its effect as applied to the work of art. For an example of how to complete a formal analysis, refer to the Khan Academy video on YouTube, entitled “How to do visual (formal) analysis in art history.” Organize this section by separate paragraphs as appropriate for your particular artwork.

1. List of Formal Elements:

• Color
• Line
• Light
• Shape
• Texture
• Size
• Composition
  1. Proportion
  2. Scale
  3. Placement
  4. Space/Depth
  5. Pattern (repetition and rhythm)
  6. Unity and Variety
  7. Contrast
  8. Balance
  9. Emphasis and Subordination
  10. Directional Force
• For Sculpture
  1. Mass and Volume

Part 2 – Contextual Analysis: The central question for this portion of the paper is: What caused the visual artifact to look the way it does? In other words, what are the cultural, social, religious, political, geographical, historical, technical, geological reasons as to why the work looks the way it does? Keep in mind that you always need to back up your statements in Part 2. Unlike Part 1, this portion of the paper requires you to use academic sources with the exception of JSTOR and website that end with .org or .edu, internet sources are not allowed unless the source has been approved by the instructor. Make sure that you include in-text citation every time you refer to, quote, or paraphrase a source. Failure to do so will result in an automatic “F” for the assignment. Organize this section by separate paragraphs as appropriate for your particular artwork.

1. Conclusion: Synthesize your analysis from Part 1 and Part 2 in order to compose a conclusion that explains the ways in which the contextual analysis explains the formal analysis. Then, address the broader art historical significance of the artwork in a contemporary context.
2. Work Cited: A Work Cited section in MLA format must be included. Note that this Work Cited section does not count toward the minimum-page requirement for this assignment.
3. Appendix: Appendix includes jpegs of images along with corresponding caption information in MLA format. This section also does not count toward the minimum-page requirement for this assignment. All images must be in this last section so that the insertion of the image does not disrupt the minimum-page requirement of text for this assignment. The last item in your Appendix should be a photo or other documentation (receipt of admission ticket) of your attendance to a museum.

PAGE REQUIREMENT: The minimum-page requirement is seven pages of your own writing (excluding the Work Cited section and the Appendix section). Therefore, the Formal Analysis (Part 1) is generally three to four pages and the Contextual Analysis (Part 2) is three to four pages that equal a total of at least seven pages. This aforementioned seven-page minimum means that you reach at least the bottom of the seventh page.

This paper should have: 

 Argument: Claims and reasons form a logical argument which indicates some synthesis of ideas and a feasible research project The main claim is debatable, and sub-claims are logical components of main claim Strong organization with topic sentences clearly linking paragraphs to reasons, sub-claims, and/or main claim

Evidence and Analysis:

Convincing evidence is used as support, but not all evidence is analyzed thoroughly Evidence is identified, though some more completely than others

Cultural Context and Academic Significance:

Introduction establishes a clear and precise context for the argument; significance of topic is well-articulated Situates project within ongoing scholarly dialogue on the issue Conclusion effectively sums up the argument and convincingly reinforces its significance

Editing and Syntax

Very rare typos, inconsistent verb tense, or poor word choices do not interfere with communication of ideas In-text citations and Works Cited page are in the correct format No other formatting errors

Build a PowerPoint version of your term paper using visual evidence and textual evidence in a series of slides

Slides: 

Formal Analysis of Key Object(s): Explain how the formal analysis informs the meaning/interpretation/significance of the artwork(s).  Another approach is to first describe the artwork in terms of Formal Analysis, then, posit research questions that arose out of your close reading of the visual artifact that lead to your thesis.Thesis/Main Claim: What is your argument (a.k.a. Thesis or Main Claim) of your Term Paper?  Your argument should address the issue of causality; in other words, based on your analysis and your research, what caused the artwork to look the way it does?Present an outline of your term paper that addresses how your paper answers your research questions; in other words, what are the reasons and evidence that supports your argument.

Contextual Information: biographical, political, social, cultural, other: _______What are the biographical, political, or social context that informs the artwork?

The last slide should be the Work Cited section in MLA format of the sources consulted, quoted, or cited in your presentation.