Art historical writing requires that you utilize the analysis methods described in the previous content area. The Formal, Thematic, and Contextual (FTC) Palette is a good starting point for guiding your analysis, but you must look to the answers provided in the research from answering such questions and find connections between these various points to form arguments. These arguments form the thesis of your arguments as you write. Art historical writing is essentially argumentative writing with the specific connection between artworks, the stories they portray, and their context.
Art history survey courses require that students learn basics of formal, thematic, and contextual elements from various periods. To demonstrate knowledge, students must critically analyze such material and begin to make connections in the form of arguments. Professor Yavelberg also would like you to walk away from this course with more than a memorized knowledge of names, dates, styles, and terms. These facts often change based on new discoveries and images change based on the edition of the text. It is more important to know these but to know how to critically analyze the information and find answers where necessary. This short module will provide insight into expectations, several examples of how arguments are made and supported, and links to further resources for writing.
A paper, discussion, or other argument requires that you form a strong thesis statement. The thesis often comes at the end of an introduction that "sets the stage" for what you are talking about. The thesis describes your stance on the topic and then provides some direction as to how you are going to support that argument. The body and conclusion of your writing or speaking, then comes directly out of this statement, thus it is the most essential part to any dialogue, especially in this class. The Purdue OWL has a wonderful resource to help you with writing your Thesis Statements.
When writing for a specific point about a single artifact, typically a paper will take the following form:
A discussion about a single artifact thus may refer to other artifacts that aid in supporting the argument. Always be sure that you are fully descriptive of your artifact, its theme, and its contextual connections. Assume that the reader is blind and has no prior knowledge of any of the information you are providing. Thus, continually ask yourself questions of who, what, when, where, why, how, etc. as you write and make sure that you are answering these. Also remember that you are not an expert. Any opinion you may have must be based on something that you are seeing or have read, so never write in first person. Lastly, always remember to work in MLA style
Here is a guide I made awhile back to help others out:Paper Format Guide.
Often, to develop universal conclusions, you will be asked to look at multiple artifacts in relation to each other. This type of writing is called a compare and contrast essay. Compare and contrast essays require that you describe both objects, their similarities and their differences in order to form an argument about their relationship. A compare and contrast essay often varies somewhat in structure from making an argument about a single artifact:
Note the differences that are provided in the two essay styles. Compare and contrast essays require that you critically analyze two artifacts against each other, often bringing to light certain truths that may bridge between contexts such as how visual art demonstrates religion, power, politics, or other major theme. When looking at a single artifact, some of these points may also be argued, however essays about a single artwork often have a more narrow focus. As you write you final paper, you should consider it to be an essay comparing and contrasting multiple works with the goal of defining the theme of your particular exhibition space.