Comprehensive Paper Assignment – Summer 2019

Paper details:

Directions: The purpose of this assignment is for you to build an effective, academic argument and perform a more in-depth analysis of some of the artworks we’ve discussed in class. With this in mind, your paper will center on three works of art that you feel can be used to highlight the issues surrounding the theme and argument of your choice. Please note that your three works MUST: Be drawn from the works we studied in class. Be drawn from at least two different artistic genres (visual art, literature, music, theater, etc) And represent at least two different time periods. Your paper should be 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced with 12 pt. font. Remember that the focus of the paper is not research; rather it is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to assimilate the ideas presented in class with your own critical analysis. Prewriting. Crafting an argument is a complex process. Start by choosing a theme that will help you identify the three artworks you want to write about. In doing so, consider the following list of themes: Art that is used to support those with political power Challenging those in authority through art Religious art before and after the Reformation Influence of classical (Greek and Roman) themes to various purposes Art and improvisation Creating new interpretations of familiar subjects/themes Use of metaphor vs. straightforward subjects Social critique through art Themes of utopia in art Patriotism in art Art and war Any of these themes has the potential to lead to an excellent argument. Once you know what theme you want to focus on, pick three works of art that address your theme somehow and that meet the bulleted criteria above. Then study your three works of art, asking yourself how they speak to each other on the topic you’ve chosen. Build your argument out of that interaction. Drafting. Your paper needs to lead out with a strong statement of your argument (your thesis). This thesis should indicate the full scope of your argument and forecast the structure of your paper. Because this isn’t a simple analysis, your paper can’t be structured as three separate discussions of three individual artworks. Instead, you are analyzing and comparing/contrasting, and that should be reflected in the paper’s organization. Discuss your first work of art, then your second. Then stop to compare or contrast the two. Finally, discuss your third work and return to your comparison/contrast. Then conclude your argument. Your discussions of each work of art should include specific details from the work, using these details to point out the work’s message and connection to your argument. The more specific your analyses are, the stronger your paper will be. Evaluating. The best papers will have a strong, unique argument, specific analyses, and solid, surprising connections or distinctions drawn between the three works of art discussed in the paper. They will rely on their own analyses and connections rather than utilizing outside, secondary sources. They will be clean from errors and well organized. If necessary, they will use MLA style citation.