Getting the most points on
your Fine Arts Report
Read the Directions Carefully
Go to the San Diego Museum of Art and select a painting or
sculpture currently on display by a European artist.
Make sure you keep your entrance ticket as you must
turn it in with your assignment!
Write a 3-5 page, double spaced, one inch margins, 12 pt
font academic essay describing the artwork, using the
format described on the next slides.
Writing Your Essay
Basic essay parts
• Title
• Introduction [lead in, transition sentences, thesis]
• Body Paragraphs [ topic sentences, good
examples, and quotes]
• Conclusion [restates thesis in different words,
summarizes main points, gives your opinion]
Title + Introduction
• Clever Title
• Interesting attention getter
• Transition sentences that announce the artist
and artwork - include relevant information about
period and style.
• Thesis Statement + plan of development
– Remember the last sentence in the introduction is your
thesis statement.
Body Paragraphs
•
Describe the artwork by answering the questions below.
–
•
Body Paragraph 1
–
•
What is the size of the piece, and what materials are used in the making of this artwork? How
do size and materials enhance the piece? Are there certain textures that are achieved through
this medium? Do they contribute to meaning? Why do you think the artist chose this form to
express his/her thoughts?
Body Paragraph 3
–
•
What is the content of the artwork? What is the author showing us? Why is this important? Are
there certain symbols related to the artist's time period or to ours? [choose a clear order when
describing the piece - top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, right to left, near to far, etc]
Body Paragraph 2
–
•
Remember that each body paragraph must have a topic sentence with a transition that
describes what the paragraph is going to talk about!
What colors are used in the piece? How does color contribute to overall meaning of the
piece? Think about how colors contrast or blend into one another as well as colors that are
very bold versus very soft. Where is the artist directing our eyes? Why? Also consider how the
artist might contrast light and dark through shading.
Body Paragraph 4
–
How does the artist create movement through line and shapes within the piece? How does
movement or lack thereof contribute to meaning in the piece? How do the shapes you see
contribute to the total effect?
Conclusion
Explain why you think this piece was chosen to
hang or stand in a museum. What about it makes
it a true work of art?
• What do you think the artist's message to the
audience was intended to be? Was s/he
successful? Why or why not?
• Remember, you must restate your thesis in
different words and end with a clear, final
thought.
• Note - get extra credit for posting your rough
draft.
– The instructor will give you pointers on how to improve
your paper and get a better grade.