History of Art Paper
Rationale
This assignment is an opportunity to think critically about the text used in this course. It is also an opportunity to practice and demonstrate your general education skills.
Short Description
Choose a single work of art from the current edition of our textbook and develop a persuasive essay arguing for theinclusion of that work of art in the next edition. The nature of this argument is yours to discover and refine.
Requirements
Create a specific and dispassionate thesis statement.
Gather reliable research that directly supports your thesis. At least three sources are required for this paper. Addnotes to your listof works cited or bibliography that explain why each sourcepasses the CRAAP test.
Cite all facts, ideas, and quotes accurately.You may use either the MLA or Chicago citation style, but do not mix citation styles in a single paper.
Organize and edit all information presented in your essay. Include an introductory paragraph with thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph must focus on one topic.Please note that you have been asked to write a persuasive essay. Do not include information that is merely related to the topic of your essay. Only include information that supports your thesis.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills.Support your thesis rationally. Avoid including highly subjective statements and use qualifiers when including preferences, beliefs,assertions, or assumptions in your paper.
Clearly express your ideas in an academic tone. Use descriptive and specific terms. Avoid vague terms, slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and casual language.Write in third person.
Give your essay to at least two readers and ask them to highlight grammatical errors. Revise your paper. Be sure that your paper does not contain grammatical errors that obscure meaning.
Create aconclusion that directly responds to your thesis. Avoid merely repeating or summarizing information already presented in your essay. State a call to action, make a prediction, or use a similar strategy to highlight the real-world value of your thesis.
Your essay, not including images or bibliography,must be approximately three to five pages, double-spaced, in a consistenteleven or twelve-point font.
Turn in preparatory work throughout the semester.
History of Art Paper Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure that your paper is ready for submission. If the answer to each question is a resounding yes, you can expect to receive an A+.
Thesis20 points possible
A thesis is clearly stated at the end of the first paragraph. yesno
The thesis argues for the inclusion of one work of art in the next edition of our course textbook. yesno
The thesis is specific. The thesis could be defended in three to five pages. yesno
The thesis takes a position that others might challenge. yesno
One can support the thesis with facts. The thesis is not a highly subjective statement. yesno
Organization and Paragraphing20 points possible
Introductory paragraph with thesis is first. yesno
Supporting paragraphs follow introduction. yesno
Paper ends with one concluding paragraph. yesno
Each paragraph sticks to one topic. yesno
All information directly supports the thesis. Any information that is somewhat off topic has been removed. yesno
Information is not repeated. yesno
Conclusion10 points possible
The conclusion directly responds to the thesis. yesno
The conclusion goes beyond summarizing the paper or rephrasing the thesis. The conclusion highlights the real-world value of the thesis by stating a call to action orprediction. yesno
Research, Citation, and Avoiding Plagiarism20 points possible
All facts, paraphrased ideas, and quotes are cited in your paper. yesno
At least three sources are cited. yesno
Notes explain why each source passes the CRAAP test. yesno
Sentence Structure, Tone, and Word Choice10 points possible
Word choice is extremely descriptive, clear, and specific. Highly subjective, vague, or general terms are avoided. yesno
Essay contains no idioms, slang, or colloquial language. yesno
Tone is academic. Essay is in third person. yesno
In general, sentences are grammatically correct and clear. Sentence structure errors do not obscure meaning. yesno
Critical Thinking10 points possible
The writer recognizes subjective information. Preferences, beliefs, assertions, generalizations, or assumptions are not presented as facts. yesno
Thesis is supported with much rational information. yesno
Nut and Bolts10 points possible
The essay is three to five pages, double-spaced, in a consistent eleven or twelve-point font. yesno
The essay contains no grammatical errors that obscure meaning. yesno