Year 9 Critical Analysis:
Optional plan for response
Question:
“An artwork can reveal much about the society that produced it.”
Critically analyse the ways that artists make the invisible visible by revealing the
history of the site.
Critical Analysis
Artwork 1
Introduction :Linked to context of question
● Outline question and briefly explain or summarise an overarching position or thesis
statement/s on how the artist communicates ideas of the history of the site.
● You could also link to how the artist makes the invisible visible -linked to history of site ● Name
artist, artworks, movements/periods to be discussed in critical analysis before discussing
artworks.
● length - one paragraph(approximately 100-150 words)
Artwork 1
Body of critical analysis- Make sure you refer back to the question/topic throughout
response (a)Discuss artwork in chronological order of time
Paragraph 1- Contextual paragraph- 1 paragraph briefly describing/introducing artwork- State
name of artwork, artist, period/movement, date of artwork, materials.
● Also outline, link artwork back to essay statement - how does artwork reveal about society
and history of site
Paragraph 2 -Introduce artist and key features of their practice (summarising their
practices) ● Link to period- country, key characteristics, date. )
Paragraph 3 (minimum of 1 paragraph to examine artwork- suggested 2-3) ●
Analyse specific work. (always assume reader has no prior knowledge of topic).
Analyse work in depth using the expanded PEEL paragraph scaffold covering:
- Description - (ie subject matter, thematic concerns, site)
- Analysis -(ie. Structural qualities of work - composition, materials and techniques, colour
scheme, style
- Interpretation (ie. aim/intention, purpose or function,meaning)
- Link back to essay statement- his does not have to be done at end of analysis -can be
done throughout analysis
● Make sure structured sentences for each new point and a topic sentence for each new
paragraph
________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
● Write a conclusion that summarises your main ideas and provides an interpretation about
the ways the artist explores ideas about the history of a site; and/or and the ways artworks can
reveal information about the society that produced it.
● Do not make conclusion too long- one paragraph
Artwork 2- Same structure as above. Suggested -a good idea to do 2 artworks
Some other suggestions for Critical analysis:
Optional
Similarities and differences :Include a paragraph at the end of analysis of artwork 2comparing similarities and differences between the 2 artwork s-ie subject matter, location,
date, structural qualities of work, materials, techniques, meaning style. Approach to
essay statement
Other points:
Typed on Google Docs in size 12 font;
● Maximum of two A4 pages (approx. 800-1000 words);
● Return your Assessment Task 1 via Google Classroom at the end of your final Week
11 Visual Arts lesson.
● Structured paragraphs for each new point
● Include a bibliography of all books and internet sites used
● Refer to art vocabulary list
● Use capitals for artists names, artworks and style/period of artworks