This formal analysis is a written paper where you analyze a work of art based upon its formal elements and your own impressions of the work. It is an investigation of the forms appearing in the work you have chosen. These forms contribute to the works expression, message, or meaning. To aid in writing a formal analysis, you should think about it as if you were describing the work of art to someone who has never seen it before. When your reader finishes reading your analysis, she/he should have a complete mental picture of what the work looks like. Yet, the formal analysis is more than just a description of the work. You are not required to but may find it useful to compare the work to either a contrasting or similar artwork if it will help your analysis. It should also include a thesis statement that reflects your conclusions about the work. The thesis statement may, answer a question like these: What is the meaning of this work? What is the message that this work or artist sends to the viewer? What is this work all about? The thesis statement is the most important element. It sets the tone for the entire paper, and sets it apart from being a merely descriptive paper.
format for the Paper: The written portion of your paper must be a minimum of 800 words in length (this should be about 2.5 pages.) The 800 word written section does not include your heading, your image(s), title page or bibliography. It must be in black ink, double spaced, 12-point type, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Cambria, or a similar, normal size font with a one inch margin. (If you attempt to use a large atypical font to gain length from your paper I may deduct points.)
your paper should be broken into three sections, an Introduction, Body and Conclusion. Make sure you set forth your Thesis Statement in the Introduction section of your paper. You must include at least one image of the work. If you cite someone’s work you must make citation within the body of the paper and you must include a bibliography formatted to MLA guidelines. As stated above the image and the bibliography are NOT counted toward the 800 word text of the paper. Your grade will reflect not only the content of the paper but also your ability to follow ALLof these format guidelines.
Introduction: Your first paragraph is your introduction and must include the following components related to the work(s) you have chosen to write about:
- Artist name (if known), title (which is italicized every time you use the title in your paper), date, and medium (if known).
- A brief description of the work
- What you think this work means.
- Thesis Statement (typically this is the last line or so of your first paragraph). Example: Donatello’s David, includes A,B and C, which make it’s subject is about X,Y and Z. The following analysis will explain how.
- note: It is important to remember that a formal analysis is not a research paper. The purpose is to show your ability to describe the formal elements of an art work AND express your thoughts and impressions of the work.
- You will include an image of the work or works that you discuss. Also be sure you include the pertinent information about the image as you see listed below. Artist, title (italicized), and date.
