Final Essay Guidelines

Topic:  You should choose either a modern artist or a modern theme.  Project must analyze a visual art – a either painting, sculpture, architecture, or any form which can be analyzed using the terms discussed in chapters two and three (e-book).  Photography, performance art, fashion, etc. are all acceptable – but your analysis must focus on the visual elements.

Format:  MLA format must be used – at least one credentialed secondary source must be used and you must document appropriately – failure to do so will result in withdrawal from course for plagiarism.

Length: 5 pages minimum including bibliography of any sources used.

Thesis:  you should write an analysis – here are some sample approaches

• History/overview of a modern form of art – its origins, influences, connections to past styles etc – look at specific examples of the form and explain its key characteristics

• The influence of a style of art on a modern artist in another field – for example, the influence of realism on a photographer, the influence of a modern style of art on a fashion designer – these topics would require research obviously Ex: Pop Art and Pucci

• One modern artist and a reoccurring theme in their work – look at several works and compare/contrast them – example – Cindy Sherman a contemporary photographer and her images of women as victims, Ansel Adams and American destiny

• Tracing a particular symbol or image – food, beauty, venus etc – in more than one time period – comparing/contrasting use Example: Venus through the Ages

Organizing Essays

Here are some helpful web sites to help you write your lit analysis!

http://www.englishdiscourse.org/5.paragraph.essay.format.html

http://essayinfo.com/essays/literature_essay.php