Formal Criticism Analysis Paper: This paper is 160 points (16% of your grade). It is a Gordon Rule writing assignment and must receive a score of C or better for you to pass the class, even if your combined average for other assignments is a passing grade. DUE BY SATURDAY July 17th AT 11:59 PM. Late papers are only accepted for -10 points (so you may not earn higher than a B on a late paper).
You will compose a 500+ words analysis of one work of art (painting or sculpture) from a PowerPoint that will be provided.
500 words double-spaced with proper margins and 12 point font. 500 words do not count copying and pasting the instructions or your name, class info, etc. I will be looking for at least 500 words that are your Analysis only.
As a reminder, there is no plagiarism allowed in this course. If I detect a change in writing style and I google the sentence only to find the exact wording used by an expert in the field or by a non-expert, I will give your paper a failing grade and you will fail the class. Do not share work with a friend. Any similarity in ideas, order of ideas, etc. will be a red flag. I use TurnItIn to check for plagiarism, but this is not 100% reliable so I manually check anything that sounds suspicious.
If anyone needs help or suggestions, I am here for that.
Specific Guidelines
Part One: Choose the piece you wish to analyze from the PowerPoint provided
You will structure your paper corresponding to the critical models discussed in pages 25-36 of the introductory chapter of your Textbook. (Your assessment does not have to be all positive. See note at the end for a more integrative approach.)
Part Two:
Formal Criticism Analysis (begins on page 27 of Textbook)
Description: A formal analysis includes an analysis of the forms appearing in the work you have chosen. These forms give the work its expression, message, or meaning. A formal analysis assumes a work of art is (1) a constructed object (2) that has been created with a stable meaning (even though it might not be clear to the viewer) and (3) that can be ascertained by studying the relationships between the elements of the work. To aid in writing a formal analysis, you should think as if you were describing the work of art to someone who has never seen it before. When your reader finishes reading your analysis, she/he/they should have a complete mental picture of what the work looks or sounds like.
Yet, the formal analysis is more than just a description of the work. It should also include a thesis statement that reflects your conclusions about the work. The thesis statement may, in general, answer a question like these: What do I think is the meaning of this work? What is the message that this work or artist sends to the viewer? What is this work all about? The thesis statement is an important element. It sets the tone for the entire paper, and sets it apart from being a merely descriptive paper. Ask yourself, does the artist or designer exhibit coherence in relation to a set of standards? Do the artist’s choices in making the composition or design hold my attention, create excitement, and stimulate interest? How do issues of moral, emotional, and realistic value impact the work? You might have particular criticisms and suggest how something might have been done differently (see Textbook page 29).
Often students are reluctant to trust their own eyes or ears or even their own opinions. For formal analysis papers they often automatically go to an outside source in order to further bolster the assertions they make in their papers – this is NOT what you should do for this assignment.
In doing formal criticism you will focus on the formal elements of the work. In this part of your paper, describe how the formal elements work in the piece. For example, in a visual artwork you will describe how line, color, illusion of space, balance, repetition, focal point work in the piece. Refer to the power point and textbook for visual elements and design elements. Many of the elements and design principles of visual art will also apply, such as balance, repetition, use of curving or straight lines, consistency, and variety.
DO NOT DO OUTSIDE RESEARCH FOR THIS PAPER, however you must cite different textbook terms at least 3 times. Use your OWN words for this paper, as you are discussing what YOU think about a piece using concepts covered in class to aid in your understanding of it. No Works Cited page is required, but you must correctly cite the textbook in the paper after the quotes or paraphrasing used.
Example: The textbook says that “Renaissance Art is distinguished by characteristics like religious themes, linear perspective, and an increased use of oil paint” (Sporre 83), but this painting goes against those genre norms because it is a secular subject.
Part Three: Formatting
Format for the Paper:
Make sure you proofread your papers for adhering to the information listed above, as well as incorrect grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors. In addition, make sure your paper includes a thesis statement. Your grade will reflect your ability to follow these guidelines.
In the first paragraph, called the introduction, you will include:
· the name of the artist (if known), title (which is underlined or italicized every time you use the title in your paper), date, and medium (if known)
· what you think is the subject
· a very brief description of the work
· thesis statement – usually the last line or so of your first paragraph.
From that point, the rest of the formal analysis should include not only a description of the piece, but especially those details of the work that have led you to come to your thesis. Yet, your paper should not be a random flow of ideas about the work (i.e. stream of consciousness writing). Rather, your paper should have a sense of order, moving purposefully through your description with regard to specific elements (ex: one paragraph may deal with composition, another with a description of the figures, another with the background, another about line, etc.). Finally, in your conclusion (the final paragraph) you should end your paper with a restatement of your thesis.
It is important to remember that your interest here is strictly formal analysis format; NO RESEARCH IS TO BE USED IN THIS PAPER. In other words, you are strictly relying on your ability to visually or aurally ‘read’ a work of art and make interpretations about it based on your analysis of it. Remember too that your analysis should not be just a mechanical, physical description. Please use descriptive language and adjectives to describe your work. Begin with a general description of the work, and then move on to the more specific elements. In addition, please refer to your syllabus concerning my policy on plagiarism – do not share your thesis or paper with other students and please do not work on your paper with another student. This is considered plagiarism and will result in a failing grade for the entire class.
500+ words (500 is the bare minimum, but you do not need to write 100 pages; in fact, please don’t – I have a lot of HUM 1020 students!). If it goes a bit over 500 words, that is fine and you do not have to email me for permission. Papers under 500 words cannot earn an A.
Use “I” / write in first person. This is a formal analysis, meaning YOUR opinions are necessary and important, so saying “what I see is the use of blue in 5 different ways” would be appropriate because you are telling me what YOU think.
Remember-
Be specific, cite actual elements in your work in a descriptive way
Avoid generalizations (“it’s a nice painting” or “all paintings from the Renaissance are about religion” for example.)
Avoid cliché or overused phrases that mean nothing, such as: “since the dawn of time, people have made art” or “back in the day, music was very stuffy”
Avoid adjectives that do not really tell your reader anything specific: amazing, wonderful, good, nice, interesting, beautiful, etc.
Write in paragraphs! Each paragraph should have a focus. If you feel your focus changing, it is time for a new paragraph.
Do not spend an excessive amount of space on an introduction or on your conclusion. Start right in on the work itself. Your conclusion should naturally occur, as you attempt to access the value and quality of the work.
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