You have to use 5 works cited and you have to write 6 pages to 8 pages. In addition, you have to read all theses information down. Use MLA format, please.
ART HISTORY: Asian
Research Paper Assignment
Topic statement due: March 31, Tuesday
Tentative thesis statement and working bibliography due: April 16, Thursday
Research Paper draft due: May 14, Thursday
Finished Research paper due: May 26, Tuesday (Final)
This assignment asks you to produce a paper that is clearly academic writing.
TOPIC OR SUBJECT MATTER
You must choose two works of art from distinct geographic locations or time periods. After comparing (finding similarities) and contrasting (finding differences) the two, you must come up with a concludive thesis statement, which you will argue in your paper. Art history papers are presentation of findings. Your thesis statement must be announced (not just implied) in the introduction!
Some issues that could be considered for closer examination are the artists’ reasons for stylistic choices, intended meaning, audience, idea, or message of works, or, perhaps, historical or socio/political circumstances of either the making or the reception of each work. Avoid a solely biographical approach!
Papers considering geographic areas not discussed in this class, will not be accepted! To compare or contrast different media is very difficult, unless your research is strictly about context (not a good idea for an art history class), so compare architecture with architecture, sculpture with sculpture and so on.
Start from the specific and make your way to generalizations. Begin with closely scrutinizing the specific works of your choice and find your argument from this direction.
Do not write a general comparison or contrast! You must eventually come up with a specific focus or assertion (argument), formulated into a thesis statement of your own!
Art History Asian RP/2
The initial topic statement must state your choice of subject matter and some of your reasons for choosing it. I will comment on your proposal in terms of “doability.” Your choice of subject matter (topic) can be changed as you go along after you handed one in.
Working bibliography is a listing of all the sources you have found on the subject matter of your choice, even if you have not really read it yet. A tentative thesis statement is a possible conclusion of your comparing/contrasting effort, which will eventually become your thesis statement.
PAPER FORMAT
Your paper is to be about 6-8 pages long (not including your Bibliography), must be typed, double-spaced, 12 points, page margins one (1) inch all around. Papers written in any other format will not be accepted.
Organize your observations and your findings into a coherent discussion containing an introduction, main body, and conclusion. In the introduction you describe work(s) to be discussed, state your thesis. In the main body of your paper develop these ideas, using documented research to formulate a well-informed discussion. In your conclusion, restate the introductory idea in a new form (do not just repeat!), pointing out the “evidence” you have found through your observations and resources.
SOURCES
Minimum of five (5) academic sources (not including your textbook) must be consulted and used! Sources can be books, articles from academic publications, or articles found on the WEB from reliable organizations or individuals. Make sure you properly cite all ideas gathered from these sources, even if you do not use quotations!
For art history papers we use Chicago Manual Style for citation. Papers with inadequate or incorrect citation will be returned without a grade to be reworked. You must credit your sources (whether you use quotation marks or not) through Endnotes or Footnotes.
A Bibliography must accompany your paper!
Art History Asian RP/3
A title page is required for your paper! The title of your paper should be centered on the upper half of the sheet, with your name below it. Staple your paper on the upper left corner and, please, no binders of any sort, please.
GENERAL EVALUATION RUBRIC FOR PAPERS
The Superior Paper (A/A-)
Thesis: Easily identifiable, plausible, novel, sophisticated, insightful, crystal clear.
Structure: Evident, understandable, appropriate for thesis. Excellent transitions from point to point. Paragraphs support solid topic sentences.
Use of evidence: Researched information used to buttress every point. Sources support mini-thesis and fit within paragraph. Excellent integration of quoted or referenced material into sentences.
Analysis: Author clearly relates research and visual evidence to “mini-thesis” (topic sentence); analysis is fresh and exciting, posing new ways to think of the material.
Logic and argumentation: All ideas in the paper flow logically; the argument is identifiable, reasonable, and sound. Author anticipates counter-arguments; makes connections to research material to illuminate thesis.
Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction excellent; correct use of punctuation and citation style; no spelling errors; absolutely no run-on sentences or comma splices.
The Good Paper (B+/B)
Thesis: Promising, but may be slightly unclear, or lacking in insight or originality.
Structure: Generally clear and appropriate, though may wander occasionally. May have a few unclear transitions, or a few paragraphs without strong topic sentences.
Use of evidence: Research used to support most points. Some evidence does not support point, or may appear where inappropriate. Quotes and sources well integrated into sentences.
Analysis: Evidence often related to mini-thesis, though links perhaps not very clear.
Art History Asian RP/4
Logic and argumentation: Argument of paper is clear, usually flows logically and makes sense. Some evidence of counter-arguments acknowledged, though perhaps not addressed. Occasional insightful connections to research material made.
Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction strong despite occasional lapses; punctuation and citation style often used correctly. Some (minor) spelling errors; may have one run-on sentence or comma splice.
The Borderline Paper (B-/C+)
Thesis: May be unclear (contain many vague terms), appear unoriginal, or offer relatively little that is new; provides little around which to structure the paper.
Structure: Generally unclear, often wanders or jumps around. Few or weak transitions, many paragraphs without topic sentences.
Use of evidence: Research used to support some points. Points often lack supporting evidence, or evidence used where inappropriate (often because there may be no clear point). Quotes and references may be poorly integrated into sentences.
Analysis: References appear often without analysis relating them to mini-thesis (or there is a weak mini-thesis to support), or analysis offers nothing beyond the source.
Logic and argumentation: Logic may often fail, or argument may often be unclear. May not address any counter-arguments or make any connections to scholarship.
Mechanics: Problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction (usually not major). Errors in punctuation, citation style, and spelling. May have several run-on sentences or comma splices.
The “Needs Help” Paper (C/C-)
Thesis: Difficult to identify at all, may be bland restatement of obvious point.
Structure: Unclear, often because thesis is weak or non-existent; transitions confusing and unclear; few topic sentences.
Use of evidence: Very few reference to research or very weak examples. General failure to support statements, or evidence seems to support no statement. Researched material is not integrated into sentences; “plopped in” in improper manner
Art History Asian RP/5
Analysis: Very little or very weak attempt to relate research to argument; may be no identifiable argument, or no evidence to relate it to.
Logic and argumentation: Ideas do not flow at all, usually because there is no argument to support. Simplistic view of topic; no effort to grasp possible alternative views or scholarship.
Mechanics: Big problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction. Frequent major errors in citation style, punctuation, and spelling. May have many run-on sentences and comma splices.
The Failing Paper
Shows obviously minimal lack of effort or comprehension of the assignment. Very difficult to understand owing to major problems with mechanics, structure, and analysis. Has no identifiable thesis, or utterly incompetent thesis
