My topic: This sculpture caught my attention when I say the clear sphere like gem on its forehead. I want to research about the Amida. What sparked the concept of the Amida. I want to learn everything about this Buddha, from the posture(s) to the ways of worship. Instructions: You’ve chosen your topic, gathered and submitted an annotated bibliography, and now it’s time to turn in your rough draft, which is due by midnight of April 3rd in Blackboard. The draft you submit should combine a visual analysis of your object with research concerning some aspect(s) you chosen of its artistic, social, historical context. For those of you who have not written a visual analysis paper before, I have posted along with this assignment (see attachments) an excerpt from a book that details what a visual analysis is, its parts and purpose. The book details a “formal analysis” and a “contextual analysis” – these are the two basic parts of your paper. Keep in mind that a formal analysis (an analysis of the object’s form) is a close look at the object – looking at and describing the object are key parts of this exercise. You will need to consider the shape, color, texture, size, and line with regard to your object or image. After the visual analysis portion of your essay, you should include your research on the object. Writing about all aspects of the art object is impossible in the space of a single essay, which is why the topic alert assignment required you to think about what area or two interested you and can guide your research and thesis. If the object is made of bronze, for example, you might research bronze and bronze-making during the era in which your object was made, or you might investigate how or where the object was used. If a textile, you might examine the production of textiles in your civilization or how such objects were made and by whom, or some other aspect of their production or use. If a patron or specific use site is known for an object, you might research what is known about this patron and how the object fit into their patronage or the place for which the object was made, or the purposes of the location for which the art object was made. The only requirement is that your topic and discussion be object-driven; you should have reason to refer to the object or image frequently as you write. It should not be a sideline, but should be the main show, so to speak. Your rough draft should be a complete draft of 7-9 double-spaced pages. It will be evaluated on the following areas: Content – this category comprises your object/image choice, research focus, and visual analysis. I will be looking at the clarity of your thoughts, how clearly you describe and analyze your object/image. I will also look for what research area you’ve chosen – how it fits the object/image, what information you’ve included, and how well you have connected this research to your object/image. Writing skills – this category comprises correct grammar and syntax, and correct/accurate usage of any vocabulary or specialized terms. I will also look for clarity of thought with regard to sentence and paragraph structure. Spelling comes in here, too. Bibliography/citations/illustrations – References should be cited in-text using parenthetical references including the author’s last name and a page number if one is present. Your object/image should be illustrated and correctly labeled at the end of your paper before your bibliography. Your bibliography will be evaluated for its presence, accuracy and consistency. Entries should be formatted correctly and consistently according to MLA or Turabian (preferred) style. Please include URLs for any web-based resource. If you are having difficulty obtaining a photo of your object, contact the staff at the Hirsch Library for assistance. They can either provide you with an image if the object is owned by the MFAH or help you locate resources in their library that would include an illustration for you to copy. Your research paper should include the following 5 basic parts (the Do’s): Introduction of the object – what is it? You should also explain clearly what aspect of it you have researched and why it is pertinent to the object. Visual Analysis Contextual analysis / research. *You may use sources not originally included in your annotated bibliography. Illustration(s) of your object/image Some Don’ts: Don’t include any subtitles. Don’t use bullets. Don’t use quotations unless they are from a primary source or clench your argument. When in doubt, don’t quote; paraphrase (and cite!)! Do not include annotations in your bibliography. Your bibliography references should not be numbered.
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