Paragraph One Introduction Identify the artwork (artist is known, title, date) and the museum collection. Describe the artwork so that your reader can picture it. Describe the condition, surface texture, display [i.e. frame or pedestal], and gallery setting of the artwork. State your thesis in bold. Paragraph Two The First Element or Principle Develop your argument from general to specific observations. Topic sentences should be general but descriptive, followed by specific examples. Describe the first visual element or design principle. Write three to five specific examples to support the topic sentence. Relate this discussion to your thesis statement in paragraph one: explain how these aspects convey one of the concepts. Paragraph Three Second Element or Principle Describe the second visual element or design principle Write three to five specific examples. Relate this discussion to your thesis statement. Paragraph Four Third Element or Principle Describe the third visual element or design principle Write three to five specific examples. Relate this discussion to your thesis statement. Paragraph Five Conclusion Summarize your argument but do not restate it verbatim. Say it in a new way. Relate your discussion of this artwork to something else?another artwork, contemporary events, a work of literature, pop culture, or history, for example. This is a crucial step in demonstrating critical thinking. Format Your Paper: These guidelines conform to the Chicago Manual of Style, aka Turabian Styles, preferred by many in the art history field. 1. Set margins to one inch on all four sides of the paper. 2. Use the font Courier New 11 point consistently throughout the paper. 3. Double-space the paper. (Select the no spacing style if using Word 2010 and select double-spacing.) 4. Indent a new paragraph one tabs length (5 spaces or 0.50 setting). 5. If your word processing program automatically inserts an additional space after paragraphs, correct it. There should be no extra space in between paragraphs. 6. Format page numbers to appear centered at the bottom of the page in the footer. 7. Use Arabic numerals (i.e. 1, 2, 3) for page numbers. 8. Do not number the cover page. The first page of the written essay is page one. 9. Start your essay at the top of the page using the one-inch top margin. 10. Type your thesis in bold and place it at the end of the first paragraph. If you do not put your thesis in bold, I will assume that you: do not have a thesis; do not know what your thesis is; or, have not read the assignment directions. 11. Italicize titles of artworks (paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints and photographs) but do not italicize titles of buildings. Italicize the titles artworks consistently throughout the paper.
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