Thesis Statement- Art History and Museums

Basic Instructions There are EIGHT items to write about. Each item is worth 12 and a half points. Papers must be typed. Please make sure your written response for each item is at least several paragraphs long. Please use 12 point Times New Roman or similar font/type size; double spacing is not necessary. Typos and bad grammar count [and not in a good way].You MUST include images, especially when asked to choose your own favorite image from one of the online museums.1. The aim of a college essay, or an academic essay, is to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence and analysis.2. Beginning: Let your readers know what the essay is about – the topic. Establish the essay’s context, the frame within which you will approach your topic.

What is it you want to say? Here are some specific suggestions for beginnings: use specific facts and information, a keynote quotation, an anecdote, or especially for art history an image. Orienting is important throughout your essay, but it is crucial in the beginning. Readers who don’t have the information they need to follow your argument or discussion will get lost. And – might quit reading.3. What is the central issue? You can pose a question [which will lead to your idea], or you can make a thesis statement. [Or you can do both.]What is a thesis statement? A thesis statement tells the reader how you will interpret the subject [the topic]. It answers the question asked of you. It makes a claim that others might dispute. It’s usually a single sentence. [Though with a longer paper, over a dozen pages long, you might use several sentences.]

Further Description

Please note that the full strength and durability of your idea will probably not emerge until you reach your conclusion. But your beginning must clearly indicate the direction your idea will take and set your essay on the road to the last sentence of your paper.4. The body of your essay. Orient your readers. Provide information and explanations. [And I also recommend insights and opinions, especially when it comes to Art History. You can use the classic – who, what, where, when, how and why. Try to include at least 2 to 3 solid points that support your thesis.5. The conclusion. Tie everything together to create a satisfying ending. Connect your ending to the thesis statement. Do not just repeat the first paragraph.6. Polishing.

After you’ve finished writing your first draft – clarify and sharpen your focus as needed. Rewrite! You might need to change one of the several points that supports your thesis. You might need to move a sentence or a paragraph. Make sure the paper flows. Do not just put together a patchwork of borrowed ideas. And do NOT plagiarize. Make sure your paper has a voice – your voice. Make sure there are no grammatical mistakes and that your sentences are well structured. Check spelling and punctuation. Do NOT depend on spell check. It will not find all mistakes. One useful trick is to read your paper out loud. To a friend, a relative, or even to yourself. It is amazing how many mistakes, from basic topic concepts to sentence structure that you will discover when you read the paper out loud!7.

In Summary

An additional suggestion. Some people recommend writing an outline. Before starting to write an essay, it’s important to know what you want to say. To create an outline, you can follow the basic structure of an academic essay that follows: a. an introduction that includes the thesis statement. b. the body of the essay, including the separate paragraphs discussing evidence that supports the thesis. c. and a conclusion that connects everything back to the thesis.

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