This document provides instructions for an assignment to write a persuasive essay about a work of art from an online museum. Students must select one work that exemplifies a broader art movement, and analyze the medium, subject matter, style, technique and symbolism. The essay must describe the art movement's characteristics and interpret how the work fits within the movement and its cultural context to explain its significance. The essay must follow APA formatting and cite at least 3 sources beyond basic online searches. It should have an introduction with thesis, body paragraphs analyzing the work and movement, and a conclusion evaluating the work's importance to art history.

1. Summary:
During Week 4 you will go to an online museum collection
“field trip” to explore several works of art. Please visit one of
the following online museums collections:
· The Metropolitan Museum of Art
· The National Gallery of Art
· The Uffizi
· The Louvre
· Museum of Modern Art
From that exploration you will select one work of art that is
exemplar of a broader art movement. (For example – Claude
Monet’s Woman with Parasol is exemplar of Impressionism).
Write a persuasive essay on the importance of that work of art
to the art movement it belongs to and the art history canon. In
the essay you will analyze the artwork’s medium, subject
matter, style, technique, symbolism. Describe the art
movement’s subject matter, style, and techniques and interpret
how the particular artwork you have chosen fits into this art
movement and how it connects to the cultural context it was
created in order to explain its significance.
Structure Requirements:
· The first page is a title page with an interesting title that
follows APA formatting
· The first paragraph is the introduction. It should have an
interesting opening sentence. Make sure to include the title of
the work (always in italics), the artists’ names, the date the
artwork was created, the origin location (city and country), and
the type of material or media that was used. The introduction
should also include a general description of the art movement
that this work fits into. This paragraph should not include a
visual description but instead have a clearly defined thesis
statement that focuses on the art historical context.
· Describe: The second paragraph should be the description of
the artwork. It should analyze four aspects of the artwork,

2. considering subject matter, style, form. Utilize visual
vocabulary, the principles and elements of design.
· Analyze: The third paragraph should identify the art
movement this artwork belongs to, and analyze three aspects of
the movement.
· Interpret: The forth paragraph should evaluate how the
artwork fits into this art movement, support this through visual
analysis. This paragraph should explore the possible meaning
and symbolism of the artwork and how that relates to the
meaning and symbolism within the broader art movement.
· Evaluate: The final paragraph should be a conclusion that
synthesizes how your three body paragraphs support your thesis
on how this work of art connects to a movement and to art
historical context. You conclusion should deduce whether this
was a successful and important work to the art history canon
(remember to continue to use third person and reference your
paper to support this conclusion).
· The last page is a works cited page with at least 3 source
citations following APA formatting
You must demonstrate how to conduct research for this
assignment. This means that you are required to use at least two
references in addition to your textbook. These must be reputable
sources beyond a simple Google or Wikipedia search. You must
include an introduction with a strong thesis statement,
supportive body paragraphs with at least 3 cited quotations in
the body paragraphs and decisive conclusion.
This is NOT a reflective essay. Be declarative in your
statements and do not use passive voice. This means write in
third person and do not use phrases such as “I Think...”, “In my
opinion...” “It could mean...” This is an interpretive paper, by
default it is nothing but your opinion and what you think. You
do not need to inform the reader of this fact. Just make sure
your support your interpretation.
Layout Requirements:
All papers must follow APA formatting, including an APA title
page and reference page. These do not count towards the

3. minimum word or page requirement. The body of text needs to
be a minimum of 750 words.
APA Formatting Guidelines:
·
· Font: Times New Roman
· Font Size: 12 Point
· Margins: 1 inch on all sides
· Spacing: Double
· Justification: Left
· Paragraph Indentation: Use the Tab Key to indent all
paragraphs one half inch from the left margin.
· View APA Formatting
Guidelines https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
· View APA In-Text Citation
Rules https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
· View information on APA Footnotes and
Endnotes https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/04/
· View information on the APA Reference List
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/
· View a Sample APA
Paper https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/200902120130
08_560.pdf
Upload the assignment as a Microsoft Word (.doc or
.docx) document using the following naming protocol:
LastNameFirstNameEssay
Here are some sources to help you get started writing your essay
How to begin the writing process:
·
· http://gmcga.libguides.com/essays
· http://gmcga.libguides.com/writingskills
·
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/thesis_statement.shtml
How to analyze art in writing:
·
· http://ualr.edu/art/art-history-resources/papers-and-

4. projects/guidelines-for-analysis-of-art/
· https://twp.duke.edu/uploads/assets/visual_analysis.pdf
· https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/compare-and-contrast-
preparing-for-an-art-history
Essay should be written in third person
Criteria 0 points 1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points
Attention Grabber No submission The introductory paragraph is
not interesting AND is not relevant to the topic. The author has
an interesting introductory paragraph but the connection to the
topic is not clear. The introductory paragraph has a hook or
attention grabber, but it is weak and rambling for the audience.
The introductory paragraph has a strong hook or attention
grabber that is appropriate for the audience. This could be a
strong statement, a relevant quotation, statistic, or question
addressed to the reader.
Position/Thesis No submission No thesis statement is included
in the introduction. The body and conclusion are not linked to
position nor is there a logical structure to essay. Provides a
vague or inaccurate thesis statement in introduction and
supporting paragraphs and conclusion do not fully connect to
the topic/position put forth in the introduction. Includes a thesis
statement in introduction and supporting paragraphs and
conclusion analyze and support the topic/position put forth in
the thesis statement. Essay lacks organization and flow.
Includes a thesis statement in introduction and supporting
paragraphs and conclusion analyze and support the
topic/position put forth in the thesis statement. Essay is clearly

5. structured and maintains a logical flow of thoughts throughout.
Support for Position No submission Includes 1 or fewer pieces
of evidence (facts, statistics, examples, real‐ life experiences).
Includes 2 pieces of evidence (facts, statistics, examples,
real‐ life experiences) that support the position statement.
Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts, statistics,
examples, real‐ life experiences) that support the position
statement. Includes 3 or more pieces of evidence (facts,
statistics, examples, real‐ life experiences) that support the
position statement. The writer anticipates the reader's concerns,
biases or arguments and has provided at least 1
counter‐ argument.
Audience No submission It is not clear who the author is
writing for. Demonstrates some understanding of the potential
reader and uses arguments appropriate for that audience.
Demonstrates a general understanding of the potential reader
and uses vocabulary and arguments appropriate for that
audience. Demonstrates a clear understanding of the potential
reader and uses appropriate vocabulary and arguments.
Anticipates reader's questions and provides thorough answers
appropriate for that audience.
Essay Length No submission Less than 250 words. 250-499
words. 500-749 words. 750+ words
Sources No submission Many sources are suspect (not credible)
AND/OR are not cited correctly. Most sources used for quotes,
statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly. All sources
used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and most are
cited correctly. All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts
are credible and cited correctly.
Originality No submission Little originality apparent in the
writing assignment. Fair amount of originality apparent in the

6. writing assignment. Good amount of originality apparent in the
writing assignment. High amount of originality apparent in the
writing assignment.
Overall Mechanics / Professionalism No submission Essay
contained many grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors,
demonstrating a lack of professionalism Essay included some
grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors, distracting
from professionalism Essay was mostly free of grammatical,
spelling and/or punctuation errors, demonstraing
professionalism No errors in mechanics or professionalism.
Follows the conventions of written English.
Order 11339
Subject or discipline: Art (Fine arts, Performing arts)
Number Of Pages: 3
Number of sources: 3
Paper instructions: Attached.