Visual Arts
Critical/ Historical Essay Writing Guide
Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Quick Tips Page
Introduction
The essay form
Sources used in essay writing
Stages in essay writing
5.1 Step 1
5.2 Step 2
5.3 Step 3
6. Plagiarism
7. Other important points to note when writing critical/historical essays
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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Quick Tips Page
Tip N#1
When using the tittle of an artwork, put it in quotation marks. For example; Kahlo’s
“Diego and I” reflects the intimate and passionate relationship between the artist and her
husband.
Tip N#2
Don’t make it personal. Rather than saying “and therefore I think his works are really
beautiful and successful,” say “therefore, audiences can see the works are successful as
they clearly……”
Tip N#3
Refer back to the question. After all, what is the point of writing the essay if it doesn’t
answer the question? You have just wasted 45 minutes of your time if you don’t do this
at the end of every new idea.
Tip N#4
Refer back to the themes and main concepts the artist is focused on. These are the
ideals that dictate their art making and their direction, therefore will play a major role in
your analysis of the works.
Tip N#5
Have an introduction. At this point, introduce your artists briefly and how you intend on
answering the question using these artists. THEN examine and explore them individually.
Tip N#6
Write neatly. If the marker cannot read your writing, then they cannot read your great
ideas!!!
Tip N#7
Write about facts. Markers will know if you are fibbing. Don’t write what you think the
artist has accomplished, write what you know they have accomplished. You will know
this because of your extensive research of your artists- through books and trusted
internet sites.
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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1)
Introduction
It is essential to read this guide carefully before you start completing Extended
Response Essays and attempting Written Examinations in Year 11 and 12. Most
students find it difficult to write essays and this guide is designed to help plan
your research and structure your essay
2)
The essay form
An essay is a written exposition or elaboration of your view on a particular topic,
subject or issue. Your essay will consist of a clear statement of what you think
about a particular issue or topic followed by a logical argument supported by
strong, well-documented evidence. The HSC written examination is expected to
be at least 8 examination pages long!!
The process of research, planning and writing of your essay helps you shape,
clarify and finally expound your thinking, analysis and interpretations. Many notes
and several drafts of your essay might have to be written before your argument or
perspective on a particular topic falls into place for assessment tasks. This is why
it is imperative to allocate enough time in your study time for writing preliminary
drafts.
Remember that it is impossible to rehearse or have your essay pre-written for
Visual Arts Written Examinations. The reason for this is that you do not know
what questions will be available to you. What you do know is:
There will be 2 questions on the FRAMES
There will be 2 questions of the Conceptual Framework
There will be 2 questions on PRACTICE
What you also know is that there are themes/concepts which are often appearing
in Visual Arts Written Examinations. These include themes/concepts such as:
- Culture
- Rights and Humanities
- Shock
- Traditional Methodologies
- Feminism
- Time and Events
- The role of the artist
- Art critics and audience reaction
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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3)
Sources used in essay writing
The information and evidence used in formulating an argument, in essay form,
will come from texts (mostly websites, books, catalogue essays and newspaper
articles), and actual works of art. When writing about art the most important focus
of your analysis should be original art objects or exhibits; but any judgements you
make about works of art should be informed by what has been written about them
(art critics and historians), and your interpretation should be measured against
the existing research in your theme/concept of interest. Therefore wide reading is
essential in any art theory essay.
However, choose your source material intelligently, many "coffee-table" style art
books contain misleading generalisations and factual information that is dated or
incorrect. Also, school textbooks (such as Gardner's Art Through the Ages) are
poor source material for most tertiary writing. As with encyclopedia articles, they
may be useful in initially surveying a topic but you will need to consult more
specific secondary sources. Most of the information you access on the Internet
using generic search engines and sites such as Google or Yahoo will fall into the
encyclopedic category. Only very refined searching of specialist databases will
allow you to access high quality and primary material.
The diagram and description below should help explain the difference between
primary, secondary and tertiary sources of information.
Tertiary sources
Most Internet sources
Encyclopedia entries
Art survey books
Primary sources
Art objects
Documents
Letters
Catalogues
Secondary sources
Monographs on artists
Stylistic analysis
Journal articles
Research Sources
Elizabeth Macarthur Library
Campbelltown Library
Narellan Library
Web search engines – Google, All the Web
Free electronic journal: http://www.artnet.com/magazine/frontpage.asp.
Metropolitan Museum of Art site: http://www.metmuseum.org/home.asp (go to
Timeline of art history on the left).
Artlex Art Dictionary: http://www.artlex.com/.
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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4)
Stages in essay writing
Select a concept most relevant to your chosen Critical/Historical Artists.
Culture, Rights and Humanities, Shock, Traditional Methodologies, Feminism,
Time and Events, The role of the artist, Art critics and audience reaction
Step 1
Compile a working bibliography of books, articles, catalogues, videos, website
material and any other sources you think will be relevant to your chosen concept..
Electronic databases such as The World Wide Web Virtual Library will be of help.
http://www.chart.ac.uk/vlib/index.html
For general Internet searches take care using generic search sites such as
Google, Yahoo, etc. Instead, first go to Art Theory sites you can trust.
Remember, there is always the trusty Artwise textbook, or other books and
textbooks in our book room.
Step 2
Gather your information. This includes:

Quotes from the artist

Quotes from critics reviewing the artist’s practice

Similar and contrasting artists

How traditional art methodologies and conventions have helped shape
this artist’s work

The CONTENT AREAS – Ensure you have responded to the artist’s
practice through all areas. Frames, Conceptual Framework and Practice

Know at least 3 key artworks, and their citations

Know where and when they exhibited their work. What impact did that
have on the audience?
Step 3
Write your essay. Most important of all you must carefully proofread before
submission. Make and retain a photocopy of your essay. Before submission,
ensure to read the marking criteria for the question you have answered. There is
a different criteria for each question in the HSC Visual Arts Written Examination.
5)
Plagiarism - description and policy
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged copying of the ideas or words of other writers
or authors. Plagiarism in essays will make them unacceptable for assessment.
This refers to both direct transcription and paraphrasing other material (putting it
into your own words).
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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6)
Other important points to note when writing Critical/ Historical essays
1.
It is in order to use short, relevant, direct quotations from artists and critics
to expand or support points you make. However these should be used
sparingly, and of course should be acknowledged. Remember your essay
or argument should present a clear structure not a compilation of quotations
you have collected. Generally, no more than two or three brief quotations
would be used in an essay.
2.
Do not use note form. An essay should be a coherent, logical piece of
analytical prose.
3.
Avoid the use of personal pronouns such as "I feel..." or, "in my opinion".
They are not necessary, since it is understood that the essay is an
expression of your views.
4.
Generally colloquialisms have no place in formal writing. Words and
expressions such as dodgy, daggy, nerd, nerdy, do-gooder, ratbag or conartist would not normally be used, except for dramatic effect. Avoid using
clichés, they are generally media driven and will date your writing. Clichés
can sometimes be used for satirical effect.
5.
Use italics for the titles of paintings and other works of art you mention in
your essay.
Enjoy learning about and researching your chosen artists.
Love learning about how the audiences reacted and why the artists did what
they did.
Be passionate about what you learn and express your judgements in your
essay.
Remember, you never know what essay questions will be available to you, but
if you have a few essays you have written that sum up their practice
holistically, you will walk into your HSC exam with a BIG smile on your face!
Graduate with calmness and happiness!
Elizabeth Macarthur High School – Stage 6 Visual Arts
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