The paper should have a thesis that summarizes your main findings. The thesis for this paper should state where the focal point is in this painting and why. Things to consider: What is the subject of the artwork? Is there a focal point? If so, explain where it is and what formal elements led you to this conclusion.

The paper should have a thesis that summarizes your main findings. The thesis for this paper should state where the focal point is in this painting and why. Things to consider: What is the subject of the artwork? Is there a focal point? If so, explain where it is and what formal elements led you to this conclusion. Composition: How are the parts of the work arranged? Is the work symmetrical? Balanced? Line: What kinds of lines are used (verticals, horizontals, diagonals)? Point out some important implied lines and explain what they point to. Space: What type of space is created in the work? Is the space deep or shallow (can you see far in the distance or not)? How is depth portrayed? Is perspective used? If yes, where is the vanishing point? Light and Shadow: Are shadows visible? Where? Where might the main light source be? Color: What type of colors are used in the work? Bright? Dull? Complementary? Does the artist use colors to draw your attention to specific areas of the work? How? How does color guide your gaze across the painting? Conclusion: summarize your main points. First take notes on answering these questions. Then organize your answers into an argument. All your writing should work to support your thesis. The argument should explain what the focal point is and how the artist organized the composition to make viewers look at a certain main point in the work, and then look around it. The paper should be in MLA format. You will be graded based on the quality of your writing, and the understanding of the main issues addressed in the readings. Papers with weak argumentation, poor structure, sloppy editing, imprecise or incorrect word choice, spelling errors, or grammatical mistakes will be downgraded. Write a draft and revise it critically. Use the Writing Center (https://www.tmcc.edu/tutoring/writing-center/informationLinks to an external site.), or send me a draft (except last minute). Doing so will get you 1 extra credit point, as long as you incorporate the feedback into your paper. This is not a research paper. Use at least one source (such as one of this class’s PowerPoint lectures or the internet article indicated above), and cite it. DO NOT DO OUTSIDE RESEARCH. If you are quoting something word by word use quotation marks “ ”. Limit word-by-word quotes to a maximum of 3 short quotes per paper. Use your own words as much as possible. If you are putting the ideas from a source in your own words, you MUST STILL USE IN-TEXT CITATIONS. Here is an essential guide to quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/index.html . Here is detailed information on how to paraphrase without plagiarizing: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/paraphrasing.html Include in-text citations. Here is info on using in-text citations: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html Basically, at the end of a sentence, or a group of sentences with information from a source, you must use parentheses in the text with the title of that source. If you err, err on the side of caution, and include in-text citations even when not sure you need them. You need to include a list of works cited at the end of the paper. Here’s a guide on how to post your sources in the list of works cited at the end: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_basic_format.html How to format electronic sources: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html How to format books: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_page_books.html How to format other kinds of sources: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_other_common_sources.html Here is a sample MLA format paper: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_sample_paper.html DO NOT DO OUTSIDE RESEARCH. DO NOT USE AI TO GENERATE IDEAS OR TO DO THE WRITING FOR YOU. DO NOT USE GRAMMARLY AI. USING AI WILL CAUSE YOU TO GET A 0 FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. IF YOU USE AI MORE THAN 4 TIMES, YOU WILL GET AN F FOR THE ENTIRE CLASS. Late papers will be accepted until January 18. Failure to hand in a paper will result in a 0 for the paper