Art History Article Analysis Assignment Instructions
Overview
Writing a research paper involves more than just writing your thoughts for 10 pages. By analyzing this article, you will learn the various components of constructing a research paper. This is the writing part, after you have finished researching, analyzing, thinking, and writing drafts. The Art History Article Analysis Assignment paper should be organized logically and include evidence that you have thoroughly read and understand the existing scholarship on your topic and that you are ready to insert your own voice into the scholarly dialogue.
The prompts will guide you through a close reading of the article and help you discover the most important aspects of the author’s argument(s). You will also gain a better understanding of how to build, organize, and structure research papers. These skills will help you develop your own argument, organize your research in a logical way when writing your research paper for this course.
Instructions
First: READ the article and TAKE NOTES. Then, analyze/critique the article using the prompts below.
Article:
Siedell, Daniel. “Enrique Martinez Celaya’s Thing and Deception: The Artistic Practice of Belief.” Religion and the Arts 10.1 2006: 59–88.
Topic: In 80–100 words summarize the general content of the article. The topic is not the same as the thesis. The topic is the overarching subject matter into which the author’s argument fits.
Rationale: In 80–100 words, state how the essay establishes its contribution—i.e., WHY? Why does your arguments matter? What is at stake. Does it add to or correct previous scholarship? Presents new evidence? Provide a new interpretation?
Argument : State the essay’s thesis—i.e., what it will show or prove; you may pull the quote from the article.
Approach: In 50–60 words: Identify and explain the approach(es), theory(ies), or methodology(ies) developed and/or used in the essay.
Research: In 50–60 words: Comment on the thoroughness of the essay’s research. Does it investigate primary materials? Bring new evidence to light? Extend previous scholarship? Is the research up-to-date?
Argument: Variable wordcount. [But for those who need a more specific requirement-] In at least 400 words (but probably more), outline the argument’s structure—use a three-level outline. Your outline need not be pages long, just the main arguments, sub-arguments, etc, not the nitty-gritty details. See the MLA handbook; format guide:
I.
A.
1.
2.
B.
II.
Style: In 50–60 words: Comment on the essay’s style. Is the material presented in a compelling manner? Do paragraphs follow one another in a logical manner? Are the sentences clear? What rhetorical devices does it use?
Documentation: In 50–60 words: Is the essay thoroughly documented? Is the documentation accurate and clear? Is most of the scholarship recent from the past 10 years?
Audience: In 50–60 words: Who is the audience for this essay? Give details to support your view.
Critique: In 90–100 words comment on the success of the essay. Is its argument supported convincingly? Is its argument effective? Is its approach appropriate for its purposes? Does it reach its target audience? Does it answer the “so what” question?
