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ART 425  Artist in Context

 

Writing: The Structure Development Phase (Visual Analysis writing only)

 

All parts of step 1 and 2 should be typed out (please label each step) and submitted as one MS Word doc titled  yourlastname_va_strcuture.doc. See below for exact details for each step.

 

Step 1. Write a full sentence outline w/ opening paragraph

Step 2. Revise your Outline 

A. Complete an assessment (as specified below)

B. Revise both outline and first paragraph

 

 

 

Step 1. Write a full sentence outline w/ opening paragraph

 

Outlines when done correctly will account for 75% of the effort of writing an essay. But the majority of outlines are so abbreviated and lacking real content that they are hardly useful. Serious outlines should always be written in full sentences and be organized per (numbered) paragraph. Each paragraph entry should include:

 

á        A summary of the purpose the PP serves in the essay

á        A full topic sentence that would lead off the PP

á        A list of component ideas (written as full sentences) that would need to be included in the PP to substantiate and or illustrate the point that the PP is making including specific examples.

 

This outline should also go one step further and include:

á        A fully written opening paragraph with your thesis in italicized text.

 

A good first test for the coherence of your argument is to cut and paste together your thesis all your topics sentences to form a paragraph. If this paragraph makes sense you are off to a good start.

 

 

 

Step 2. Assess your outline and then redraft it 

 

A. Assess: Write an assessment of your outline using the assessment prompts listed below. The goal of this assessment is to improve both the base content of your argument and its organization.  It is very hard to self-assess your own ideas. (in your mind they always make perfect sense). The prompts bellow are not meant to be just answered yes or no. The question is what could be better and how. Avoid being overly general (Òneeds moreÓ isnÕt enough say how) name no less than 8 specific changes you will make. Also review the two Dartmouth writing web pages:

 

On structure: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/write.shtml

And on thesis development: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/ac_paper/develop.shtml

 

B. Revise:  Redraft both your outline and first paragraph in light of your assessment.

 

 

 

Assessment Prompts

 

Thesis Assessment:

  • Does your thesis directly address a primary condition of this artwork? How could it be rewritten to better align with your argument?
  • Is your thesis complete in that includes both your proposition and provide your reader with some sense of your argument (and the structure of your essay)
  • Is your thesis too general or too specific? How might it be better focused? How might it be broadened?
  • Is it written in a way that is both clear and engaging? What keeps it from being engaging?

 

Argument (Thesis Support) Assessment: Are the points you make to support your thesis well selectedÉ

  • Do they address a diversity of elements in the work (subject matter, material, rendering style, formal properties, title, context, attitude etc)                                                   
  • Do they address the most relevant elements? Are you missing obvious things or do you include things that are not as important?
  • Is your argument well grounded in examples? Do they make the point you need them to make? In other words, is the purpose of an example clear?
  • Are there gaps in your thinking? Is there a coherent cause and effect relationship between your thesis and supporting elements?  Do you assume things that are left unsaid?

 

Paragraph Topic Assessment:

  • Is each topic sentence a full, specific idea?  (The artist chooses colors to create a mood isnÕt a full idea. The artist chooses dreary, muted colors to create a mood of hopelessness is.)
  • Have you made clear why this topic is relevant to arguing your thesis? Is it written in a way that helps your reader follow your argument?
  • Is there a clear relationship between this topic sentence and the paragraph that came before?
  • Does the topic sentence control the paragraph? Does each paragraph have a single topic? Are related ideas placed together under one topic or are they spread around in paragraphs? Can you rephrase topics so that short fragmented topics can be combined together?

Overall Connective Structure Assessment:

  • Are the paragraphs in a good order? Do you move your reader through your ideas in a clear and logical manner?
  • Does the order of your argument ÔbuildÕ where one point creates the foundation for the next or does it jump around causing unnecessary repeating?
  • Do you connect the ideas from one PP to the next? Does your topic sentence help to create that linkage?
  • How might he essay be rearranged and why?

Opening Paragraph Assessment:

  • Does it introduce your audience to the work
  • Does your introduction draw your reader in?
  • Does it lay the groundwork for your thesis by defining key terms as you intend to make use of them in your argument, introducing foundational ideas or assumptions etc.

 

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