Research Paper
This research paper will be done and submitted in five parts over sixteen weeks. The reason for this is for you to learn how to write a research paper each step of the way with the proper organization needed to turn it in on time. Knowing how to write a research paper is an essential skill that will help you in many other classes and disciplines.
The five parts are:
1. Proposal for Research Paper by Friday Sept 1st by 11:59pm on Canvas
2. Research Paper Bibliography by Due by Friday Sept 15th by 11:59pm on Canvas
3. Research Paper Outline Due by Friday Sept 22nd by 11:59pm on Canvas
4. Research Paper Rough Draft Due by Friday Nov 17th by 11:59pm on Canvas
5. Research Paper Final Draft Due by Friday Dec 8th by 11:59pm on Canvas
Requirements of the Paper:
1. Length of paper: 8- 10 pages
2. At least 10 scholarly sources
3. Chicago Manual Citation
4. Times New Roman in 12-point font, double-spaced
5. Margins no more than 1” (all sides)
6. Name, instructor, course title, and date on the title page
Topic:
Art History research papers are typically given as an open topic paper where the student gets to choose their own topic to research and write about. This is a good method because the student will be able to write on something they themselves chose and hopefully have a high level of interest in. In this class you will be able to choose any topic that connects to art history from any time period. This may seem like a difficult task, to choose something out of so many options but ultimately choose something you are interested in or want to learn more about. Please email me or come to my office hours if you want to talk further about how to pick a topic.
Paper Organization:
(III. & IV. can be reversed or combined)
I. Introduction
A. What is the research paper about?
B. Why is this research and research question important?
C. Short background to inform the reader (how, why, what, when)
D. Thesis statement- what do you plan to show in this paper?
II. Background of topic, artwork, artist, etc.
A. What general information does the reader need to know about your topic, theme, artist, or style of art, etc. before they read the details of your research.
III. Contextual/State of the Field
A. What do we already know about this issue?
B. What have others said and provided evidence for?
IV. Visual analysis
A. Describe each artwork with the correct vocabulary and terms to describe art.
V. Results
A. What are the main findings of your research?
VI. Conclusions
A. Restate your thesis and the main findings of this research. What are the main takeaways of your research?
VII. Illustrations
A. Include the image of each work discussed in the paper with a label to show at least the title, artist, and date.
VIII. Bibliography*
A. Include a list of each source you used to do your research in Chicago format.
*Cite the publications for all the information you gathered from your sources and used in your paper.