Writing Tips for Art and Art
History
Rachel Loewen Walker, BA, MA
University of Saskatchewan
Components of an Essay
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Introduction
Body
Conclusion
List of Sources
Thesis Statement
• The thesis statement is the most useful
component of any piece of writing - both
for you and for the reader
• The thesis should be persuasive, not
merely explanatory
WHAT are you going to say?
HOW are you going to say it?
WHY is your topic relevant to the reader?
Example Thesis Statement for
an Article Summary on . . .
Williams, L. (1997). A provoking agent: The pornography
and performance of Annie Sprinkle. In. K. Conboy, N.
Medina, & S. Stanbury (Eds.), Writing on the body:
Female embodiment and feminist theory (pp. 360 –
379). New York: Columbia University Press.
Poor Thesis Statement
Williams says that Annie Sprinkle is a
controversial artist.
Better: Descriptive
Due to Annie Sprinkle’s work as a
performance artist and a
pornographer, Williams discusses
how Sprinkle is considered a
controversial artist.
Even Better: Persuasive
In her discussion of Annie Sprinkle’s art
practice, Linda Williams argues that
through her controversial blending of
performance art and pornography Annie
Sprinkle challenges the boundaries of
both fields.
Introduction: Start Strong
1) Use a quote to introduce topic
2) Use an anecdote: a story from the news or
from your own experience
3) Use a shocking fact: In a 1990 performance,
Annie Sprinkle invited audience members to
the stage to explore her speculum
Then transition to your thesis, being sure to
include an essay map for the reader which
indicates the main topics you will use to
support your thesis.
Body
Develop two or three themes within the paper
1. Description of Sprinkle’s art practice
2. How does Williams theorize Sprinkle’s art practice?
3. Implications of her work for performance theory
If you were writing a longer paper you would develop
subpoints under each of these themes:
2.1 How Sprinkle challenges ideas about gender
2.2 How she challenges people to think differently about the body
2.3 How she challenges the moral boundaries around pornography
Conclusion Strategies
1)
2)
3)
4)
Restate thesis and main points (not verbatim)
– usually sufficient for an article/artist
summary
Discuss a relevant cultural piece/event/ show
that illustrates your main points
Explain why what you have written is
important – implications of your argument
Point toward future research projects (your
own or others) that stem from your paper
Artist’s Statement
• There are many different ways to write an
artist’s statement
• It should reflect your own original style – so it
should be a place for you to be creative
• However, it also has to be clear, concise and
correct
One Example
First Paragraph:
• Begin by giving a simple statement of why do what you do
• Support this by telling the reader more about your goals, motivations,
and aspirations
Second Paragraph:
• Tell the reader how you make decisions in the course of your work
• How and why do you select materials, techniques, themes, or pieces?
• How do these materials/choices impact the work? Or make it unique?
Third Paragraph:
• Tell the reader about your current work
• How it grew out of prior work or life experiences
• What are you exploring, attempting, challenging by doing this work?
Writing Exercise
1) Think about what you do. How did you
get into this work? What are your
favourite things about your work?
2) Make a list of words and phrases that
communicate your feelings about your
work and values
Answer the following questions
(without thinking too much!)
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What is your favourite tool? Why?
What is your favourite material? Why?
What do you like best about what you do?
What do you mean when you say something
has turned out really well?
• What patterns emerge in your work? (Textures,
colours, etc.)
• What is your favourite colour? List three
qualities of the colour – now think about how
these qualities apply to your work
Now look at the words that you have . . .
Write five sentences that tell the truth
about your connection to your work
or your curatorial practice
For Artists:
• When I work with ________
I try to express________.
• I begin a piece by _______.
• I know a piece is done when
______.
• When my work is going well,
I feel a sense of ______.
• When people look at my
work, I’d like them to
________.
For Curators:
• When I put together a ____
I try to express ______ .
• I begin conceptualizing an
exhibit by ________.
• I know a show is done
when ______.
• When my work is going
well, I feel a sense of
________.
• When people see my
work/exhibits/shows, I’d
like them to ________
Now turn it into something
useful . . .
• Take your sheet of words and brainstormed
ideas and write a three-paragraph statement
• Use “I” statements
• Be clear and brave about your own skills
• Then LET SOMEONE read this draft giving you
suggestions
• Now you have a starting point for your artist’s
statement
Helpful Hints
 The less opportunity for your reader to lose
confidence in you the better
 Sadly, a well-written paper with mediocre
ideas will generally do better than a poorly
written paper with brilliant ideas - and all it
takes is a good edit!