Writing Question
The Paper Itself:
This exercise is called a response essay. Looking is not as simple as you may think. Rather than merely describe the object, you will want to analyze its form. You need to ask yourself the questions:
- “What is this doing? (i.e what associations, ideas or emotions does the work evoke for you)”
- “Why do you have this response? (i.e. what attributes of this work (lines, colors, subject matter, expressions) evoke those associations, ideas or emotions)”
The challenge is to analyze a work of art, separating its parts in order to understand the whole. You must resist the urge to merely describe, and insteadevaluate the object. Organization of the Paper: (further explanations and examples can be found in the Survival Guide handout)
1. The Introduction.
- (a) Write a Short Description of the Work You Have Chosen. Include identifying subject matter or forms, setting or space, color, and medium, artist and current location.
- (b) State Your Main Argument.