TEXT Your essay MUST: * Be a minimum of 3-5 pages excluding illustrations, headings and paragraph breaks. * Be spell-checked and grammar-checked and proofread for errors not caught by computer. * Include a heading containing your full name, ID number, class title & section, date, and instructor’s name. * Be typed and double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font. * Be posted directly into the discussion text box AND attached as a Microsoft Word document. * Cite references used according to MLA style. Students are encouraged to use A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker for help with MLA style, revision, punctuation and sentence style and A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnett for specific help with comparing and contrasting artwork. (For more information about MLA style please contact the Writing Lab or reference the following internet site: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html * Meet the criteria above to be accepted for grading. Work that does not meet the criteria will be immediately returned to the student. Students are encouraged to visit the Writing Lab or Online Writing Lab (OWL) for help. ORGANIZATION Structure your essay so that it covers the following elements: * Introduction including a thesis statement. This is the main point of your essay and tells your reader what you are going to cover in the essay. * Cultural context of both artworks/ period style (politics, society, religion, etc.) * Stylistic characteristics of both artworks/ period style. What formal characteristics are employed? (line, color, shape, light, mass, balance, scale, etc). When discussing culture and style your essay should address how the cultural context informs the stylistic characteristics of that period. You should also incorporate art historical vocabulary from the modules when discussing stylistic characteristics. * Subject matter of both artworks. (story/narrative, what?s going on in the artwork?) * Function and possible meaning (symbolism/ iconography) of both artworks * Similarities, differences between the two. What makes this a good comparison? * Conclusion should recap thesis, include important conclusions or insights about the artwork and the artist or culture who produced it and discuss why you chose to write about the artwork. * Documentation of sources bibliography, footnotes, endnotes, etc. SOURCES Outside research information should be drawn from LA127 Module Text and at least TWO additional sources: * Professional web site (for example, a museum, research institute or university, NOT Wikipedia!) * Nonfiction book published within the last 50 years * Professional art historical publication (magazine or journal, can be online)