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ART 425 Artist in
Context
Assignment: Read the following
about opening paragraphs from the Dartmouth writing web site and the Barnet
text. Write a list of the
suggested content/ strategies that both authors suggest and for each give an
example of how it might specifically manifest itself in our Merva
analysis. Then review the sample
paragraph at the end of this handout and write a critique (what is right and
wrong?)
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On Opening paragraphs from:
Writing: Considering Structure &
Organization by Karen Gocsik, Dartmouth Writing Center site:
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Introductions
and Conclusions
Introductions and conclusions are among the
most challenging of all paragraphs. Why? Because introductions and
conclusions must do more than simply state a topic sentence and offer
support. Introductions and conclusions must synthesize and provide context
for your entire argument, and they must also make the proper
impression on your reader.
Introductions
Your introduction is your chance to get your
reader interested in your subject. Accordingly, the tone of the paragraph has
to be just right. You want to inform, but not to the point of being dull; you
want to intrigue, but not to the point of being vague; you want to take a
strong stance, but not to the point of alienating your reader. Pay attention
to the nuances of your tone. Seek out a second reader if you're not sure that
you've managed to get the tone the way you want it.
Equally important to the tone of the
introduction is that your introduction needs to "place" your
argument into some larger context. Some strategies follow:
Announce your topic broadly, then declare
your particular take. For example, if you are interested
in talking about the narrator in Virginia Woolf's novels, you might 1) begin
by saying that Woolf's narrator has posed a problem for many of her critics;
2) provide a quick definition of the problem, as others have defined it; and
3) declare your thesis (which states your own position on the matter).
Provide any background material important to your argument. If you are interested in exploring how turn of the century Viennese
morality influenced the work of Sigmund Freud, you will in your introduction
want to provide the reader, in broad strokes, a description of Vienna circa
1900. Don't include irrelevant details in your description; instead,
emphasize those aspects of Viennese society (such as sexual mores) that might
have most influenced Freud.
Define key terms, as you intend to make use of them in your
argument. If, for example, you are writing a
philosophy paper on the nature of reality, it is absolutely essential that
you define the term for your reader. How do you understand the term
"reality," in the context of this paper? Empirically? Rationally?
Begin with a definition of terms, and from there work towards the declaration
of your argument.
Use an anecdote or quotation. Sometimes you
will find a terrific story or quotation that seems to reflect the main point
of your paper. Don't be afraid to begin with it. Be sure, however, that you
tie that story or quotation clearly and immediately to the main argument of
your paper.
Acknowledge your opponents. When you are
writing a paper about a matter that is controversial, you might wish to begin
by summarizing the point of view of your adversaries. Then state your own
position in opposition to theirs. In this way you place yourself clearly in
the ongoing conversation. Be careful, though: you don't want to make too
convincing a case for the other side.
Remember: your introduction is the first
impression your argument will make on your reader. Take special care with
your sentences so that they will be interesting. Also, take the time to
consider who your readers are and what background they will bring with them
to their reading. If your readers are very knowledgeable about the subject,
you will not need to provide a lot of background information. If your readers
are less knowledgeable, you will need to be more careful about defining your
terms.
Finally, you might want to consider writing
your introduction AFTER you've written the rest of your paper. Many writers
find that they have a better grip on their subject once they've done their
first draft. This "better grip" helps them to craft an introduction
that is sure-footed, persuasive, interesting, and clear. (Note: Any changes
that you make to an introduction and/or thesis statement will affect the
paper that follows. Simply adding the new introductory paragraph will not
produce a "completed" paper.)
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On Opening paragraphs from:
A Short Guide to Writing
about Art by Sylvan Barnet
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Sample opening paragraph
for editing practice:
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The painting Madonna and Child criticizes the traditional
mother-child relationship and speaks of a technology driven society. Choppy, geometric lines form an
abstract female figure and create an initial response of unease. The figureŐs dancerly pose
contrasts the rigid line that it is composed of. The female appears to be pinned down to the canvas by
thick lines that run across the page, connecting to various parts of her
body. The discordant colors of
the red figure and bitter, green background further emphasize the uneasy
mood. Initially, I interpreted
the machine like forms on the right to be nonrepresentational, but my
interpretation changed after reading the title, Madonna and Child. Interlocking, geometric forms next
to the woman seem to represent the child. The form is connected to the mother by lines, however
the child is not held in the motherŐs embrace as
you would expect.
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