Posted: November 8th, 2015

Mythical Beasts

I need to have adjustments made on my currently existing research paper. My teacher gave me some advice that I will attach after ordering. Other than that, here below are the initial guidelines she offered us at the beginning of the research paper.

II. Steps Towards First Research Paper

A. Read the chapter on South Asia.

Choose any work of art that you find intriguing and that you will eventually write about in a comparative analysis essay.

Write a full identification of it (see example on next page)

Write a detailed description of it (see examples on next page)

Or—if you don’t find any of these artworks interesting, you are welcome to find another non- Western artwork (from Asia, Africa, the Americas before European contact, Oceania or the Islamic world). Then do the above—write a full identification and detailed description of it.

B. Visit any museum, either in Los Angeles or any other location

Choose one artwork on which you will be writing about in a comparative analysis with

your non-Western work (this does not have to be from the same culture)—it could be made by any culture, during any time, but your chosen works should have at least one common element (subject matter, type of object, theme, style, etc.). For instance, you might want to explore the theme of allegory or symbolism in your two works. Other themes or subjects to consider are religion, love, violence, fertility, gender roles, etc.)

Write a full identification of it

Write a detailed description of it

Attach your museum entrance ticket

C. Complete the following steps towards putting together the components of a research paper on the above two artworks—submit all work:

Research both artworks using at least 1 print source for each artwork. For additional information, you may use material in wall plaques, pamphlets or catalogues—and the information in chapter on South Asia. You may use the Internet, but I will only allow .edu-s or .org-s. Use reliable sources.

Fill in the one of the charts provided with traits that the works have in common and differences. If you don’t like either of these charts, you may make your own.

Formulate a thesis statement about these two works of art based on your research and analysis.

Provide at least 2 major points of evidence that will prove your thesis

Provide an outline with supporting information (cite your sources in parenthetical

citations)

Include a “Works Cited” page.

Source requirement: at least 3 sources (2 of which must be print sources–books or

journal articles)

Attach photos or illustrations (bring your camera to the museum—some museums

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allow their artworks to be photographed, you may also check the museum’s website)

Write your essay. Note the following requirements:

· Introduction, which ends with your thesis statement. This is where you will first mention your two examples with full identifications.

· Main body—discuss both works in full as a means to prove your thesis. For both works, provide contextual information (historical background, biographical background if applicable). Recommendation: start with the contextual information that will lead the reader to the artwork, then describe the artwork, then provide the evidence to prove thesis.
There are 2 ways to organize this:
1) Block-by-block method: discuss one artwork in its entirety and then discuss the 2nd artwork—the pro to this method is that you don’t have to have parallel points of evidence.
2) Point-by-point method: discuss one point of evidence in each artwork and then go on to the next point of evidence—this works well if you have parallel points of evidence.

· Conclusion, which summarizes your paper and makes a statement about the implication of these artworks within a broader spectrum

· Parenthetical citations throughout—cite all information that is not considered to be common knowledge. Remember, page #s are needed for print sources. For example to cite our text: (Kleiner 567)

· Source requirement: minimum of 3 sources, 2 of which must be print sources. Refer to Art History Print Resources handout on Haiku under Course Resources.

· Works Cited page

· Minimum 5 pages double-spaced, pages should be numbered.

· Images of artworks