Slide 2 HUM 2510 CRITICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY WORKSHOP Presented by
the FGCU Writing Center Slide 3 OBJECTIVES Dates & Information
Attending artistic events Structuring your essay Visual Arts
Specifics Performing Arts Specifics Slide 4 SPRING 2012 DUE DATES
March 16: Critical Analysis Essay 1 due before 3 p.m. (visual arts)
April 11: Critical Analysis Essay 2 due before 3 p.m. (performing
arts) Slide 5 ATTENDING EVENTS Must attend during the current term
Must provide proof of attendance if out of the immediate area Check
the MODULES tab for a link to events in the area Do make sure to
read the appropriate chapters prior to attending Collect any
handout information or playbill that might be available Do take
notes at the event if it will not disturb the audience Do start
early, so that timing doesnt become an issue Slide 6 ANALYSIS
Analyze means to separate into elements or parts Examine critically
Before you can analyze a piece of art or a performance, you must
understand the elements or parts that compose it. READ the
appropriate sections in the book PRIOR to viewing the work or
seeing the performance. Slide 7 TITLING YOUR ESSAY Be sure to
follow the directions on the course syllabus for naming your
document The essay title must include the title of the work you are
analyzing and give a link to your thesis Slide 8 Slide 9
INTRODUCTION Must include pertinent information about the work
being analyzed When did you see it Where did you see it Provide
some context for the work being analyzed Background information on
the artist Background on the piece being analyzed The THESIS must
appear at the end of the introduction Slide 10 THESIS STATEMENT
Underline or bold your thesis statement The artists name, the title
of the artwork, and the main point of your essay must be in the
thesis statement The works title should be in ITALICS Choose 2-3
KEY elements to analyze Why are these particular elements
significant? Slide 11 BODY OF THE ESSAY In 3-5 paragraphs, analyze
in detail the key elements you mentioned in the thesis. Explain why
each of the elements is significant to this particular piece of
work. Use terminology from the textbook where appropriate. Use
appropriate essay writing conventions: topic sentences &
transitions. Slide 12 CONCLUSION Summarize your analysis Wrap up
your findings Slide 13 VISUAL ARTS Chapters 1 -3 provide the
foundation for visual arts Section 2 (Chapters 9-13) provide
contextual information of stylistic periods Think about: Reaction
Subject Media/technique Elements and principles Context
Content/message Judgment Slide 14 REACTION What feelings, memories,
or associations does this work evoke? Does it create a sense of
happiness, sadness, anger, fear, uplift, inspiration, etc.? Does
the art evoke empathy? Does the meaning or message of the art apply
to your life or the world in which you live? Do you feel this art
is important? Give specific examples supporting your opinion. Slide
15 SUBJECT What does the art depict or represent (person, place,
thing, event)? Is the work representational or abstract? Is the
subject represented symbolically or metaphorically? Give specific
examples of the findings Slide 16 MEDIA/TECHNIQUE What medium was
used to execute the art? How does the choice of medium enhance the
message of the artist? How does the artists technique impact the
message of the art? Slide 17 ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES How are line,
form, color, value, mass, or texture used to convey meaning? How
are repetition, balance, composition, and perspective used to
convey meaning? How is unity achieved in the art? Is there a bold
or subtle use of elements/principles in communicating the message?
Give specific examples supporting the findings Slide 18 CONTEXT How
does this work fit into the history of the art form? When and where
was it created or first presented? How does the work reflect
historical events or aspects of a particular time period or
culture? Who was the creator? Does the art reflect any particular
aspect of the artists life? Give specific examples Slide 19
CONTENT/MESSAGE What does the art communicate or say about the
subject? Is there a positive, negative, or neutral message? How
does the message of the art reflect the values and beliefs of the
time period in which it was created? Give examples Slide 20
JUDGMENT Was the artist successful in communicating the message
using the elements and principles of art? Describe the ways in
which you think the art was successful. Describe the ways in which
you think the art may be weak. Slide 21 SAMPLE THESIS In the
painting, Holy Family with St. John, Giovanni Battista Vanni uses
diagonal lines and contrasting values to create an emotionally
engaging depiction of the Holy Family. Slide 22 PERFORMING ARTS
Chapters 4-7 offer performance specific background Again Section 2
(Chapters 9-12) offer contextual background of specific time
periods. Be sure to collect and use the program given out at most
performances. Contains background information on the artists
involved Biographies Program notes Slide 23 REACTION What feelings,
memories, images, or associations does this performance evoke? Does
it create a sense of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, inspiration,
etc.? Does the performance evoke sympathy? Does the meaning or the
message of the performance apply to your life or the world in which
you live? Do you feel this performance is important? Give specific
examples supporting your opinions. Slide 24 SUBJECT What is the
title of the performance? Does the title suggest the subject or
meaning of the performance? Does the performance tell a story or
represent some person, place, thing, event, or idea? Slide 25
MEDIA/TECHNIQUE In what genre does this performance belong? In the
performing arts it is possible to have a great work with a poor
performance. Did the performer(s) have adequate technique and
artistry to present the work? Was the performance enhanced or hurt
by the performers? Was the presentation amateur, professional,
community, or school- based? Slide 26 ELEMENTS/PRINCIPLES How are
elements of performing arts (plot, melody, movement, lighting,
sound, etc.) used to convey meaning? How are principles of art
(repetition, balance, composition, dynamics) used to convey
meaning? How is unity achieved? Is there a bold or subtle use of
elements/principles in communicating the message? How does the
artist work with time and/or space? Give specific examples Slide 27
CONTEXT How does this performance fit into the history of the art
form? When and where was it first presented? How does this work
reflect historical events or aspects of a particular time period or
culture? Does the performance reflect any particular aspect of the
artists (composer, choreographer, director, playwrights) life? Give
specific examples Slide 28 CONTENT/MESSAGE What does the
performance communicate or say about the subject? Is there a
positive, negative, or neutral message? How does the message of the
performance reflect the values and beliefs of the time period in
which it was created? Give examples Slide 29 JUDGMENT Was the
artist(s) successful in communicating the message using the
elements and principles of art? Describe the ways in which you
think the artist was successful. Describe the ways in which you
think the art may be weak. Slide 30 SAMPLE THESIS In the ballet
excerpt Rubies, choreographed by George Balanchine and performed by
Miami City Ballet, the use of sharp movements, staccato music, and
severely styled tutus demonstrated the faceted brilliance of a
precious jewel.Rubies Slide 31 THINGS TO REMEMBER Read & reread
the appropriate sections in the book prior to attending the event.
Take notes during the event if possible without disturbing others.
Review the suggested questions and determine which apply to your
selected work. Analyze (break apart the elements) and discuss those
elements Give specific examples
