Popular Icon 1 You May Choose Both Of The Follow
Worth 15% of final mark, due Tuesday, June 4th, 11:30 pm via SAKAI>Assignment
Comparison Essay
Please read this entire document before you begin and before you email me with questions!
This writing assignment is designed to help you learn different ways to write and think about art.
For this assignment you will write a minimum 1000 word comparison (excluding footnotes,
bibliography) of two artworks.
You may choose both of the following for this exercise:
4 a. Frans Hals, Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen, c. 1622 (14-21), p. 388
b. John Singleton Copley, Thomas Mifflin and Sarah Morris (Mr. and Mrs. Mifflin), 1773
(17-1), p. 446.
How to Write a Comparison Essay
A comparison is an essay comprised of two aspects: comparing elements (noting the
similarities) and contrasting elements (noting the differences) of one work with another. The aim
of this exercise is to learn more about each work by looking at them alongside one another, as
such this is largely a visual exercise of looking. You will be using the types of observations
discussed in modules but applying this specifically to two works of art. Your paper must have a
thesis and through comparing and contrasting the two works you will argue (prove) your thesis
and reach a conclusion.
There are two main approaches to writing a comparison: split or lump. This refers to the
organization of your points on each artwork. If you want to compare and contrast a number of
elements about each work this is splitting and if you write first of one work and then the other in
separate paragraphs you are lumping. You may write either way but make certain that you have
about the same number of points or observations for each work. Pay close attention to the
organization of your paper, it should make sense and flow naturally back and forth between the
works compared. Try to make a logical progression from one point to the next.
You will want to examine each work of art closely. Ask yourself questions about the artwork:
Why was this work made, for whom, by whom, in what style, what context and when? What is
the work about? How does it convey a story, event, or particular meaning? How does the artist
use form, colour, space, perspective and line? How is the composition arranged? What is the
size and condition of the work, does this convey further meaning?
Once you think about these types of questions for each work separately you will need to
consider them together. Ask yourself, why is this comparison relevant, what becomes more
apparent about the works when you look at them side by side? Consider the visual impact, but
also the context of the artworks’ production and reception. Are they of the same style and time
period or not, why does this matter, are values and cultural elements similar or different? Do
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VISA 1Q99: Writing Assignment
Worth 15% of final mark, due Tuesday, June 4th, 11:30 pm via SAKAI>Assignment
these works convey the same message or something different, how is this done, how do you
observe this in the works?
Begin by making notes on each work and then the comparative/contrasting elements that you
can write about for both works. From here begin to compose your essay by creating a thesis.
Your thesis is a statement that gives direction to your analysis. Take care to organize, revise and
edit your paper. Poor organization and lack of editing will detract from your observations and
your grade.
Format
The paper must be 1000 words typed, double-spaced pages of your writing with the course
name, your name, and student number on the first page along with a title. You do not need a
separate title page for this assignment but if you use one this does not count towards the page
length of this assignment. The length requirement is 1000 words excluding title page and
bibliography/works cited. You might find it helpful to take a look on SAKAI>Resources>Written
Assignment>Further Reading on Writing a Comparison. Links to websites with helpful
information are posted there. If you have access to one of the optional resources for this course
read Sylvan Barnet, A Short Guide to Writing About Art: “Writing a Comparison.”
Research
You are not required to do a lot of research for this paper–it is meant as a practice of looking,
describing and evaluating. Begin by reading about the work in your textbook, if you find that you
want to use further secondary sources, your paper must follow the Chicago Manual of Style
citation format, MLA or APA. Basic information such as title, artist, date, origin of a work and
general factual historical information do NOT need to be cited. You do need to cite information
and ideas that you take from the textbook. Please see the links on SAKAI under Written
Assignment>How to Cite Sources/Bibliographies, if you need help with citations. You will find
citation style guidelines there. All secondary sources used in your writing (books, articles,
websites, textbook, videos, etc.) must be cited, failure to do so constitutes academic dishonesty
and will result in a grade of zero and possible failure in course. Please remember to CITE the
textbook if you take more than general information from it!
Due Date & Late Policy
Papers are due June 4th by 11:30 pm submitted online (via SAKAI>Assignment). You will find
under Assignments “Written Assignment #2,” from there you will be able to upload your paper as
an attachment in most file types (.doc, .pdf). Be aware that SAKAI does not recognize MAC
pages, please convert your file to .pdf before uploading. If we cannot open your file you will
receive a grade of zero for the assignment. Once you have uploaded it you will be able to see
the originality report for your paper. You will not be able to make changes once you have
submitted your paper. Please do not panic when you view the report, often the material that is
highlighted is simply your references, names of artist, or artworks.
The penalty for late assignments is 5% per day. Failure to submit your paper on time due to
internet difficulties is not a valid reason. Assignments handed in more than 5 days late will not
be accepted. Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, etc. will be
judged by the instructor ONLY when supported by written documentation such as a medical
certificate that are presented within 3 days of your absence.
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VISA 1Q99: Writing Assignment
Worth 15% of final mark, due Tuesday, June 4th, 11:30 pm via SAKAI>Assignment
A Word about Turnitin.com in Assignment
As it is the responsibility of the instructor to track and report plagiarism, we will be utilizing
turnitin.com in Assignment on SAKAI. This is an anti-plagiarism tool that screens all
assignments against a database of the internet, e-journals, e-books, and a range of other
scanned material including other assignments and papers for courses at universities. This
ensures that all assignments are graded on a level playing field and means the papers can be
read for ideas and content rather than policed for plagiarism. If you should have concerns about
the use of this anti-plagiarism tool these must be expressed to me via email before May 10th.
Grading
Your assignment will be number graded out of 15 with comments online and your numerical
grade recorded under SAKAI>Gradebook. Please be aware because of the large number of
students in this course it may take up to 1-2 weeks for your assignment grade to appear.
Helpful Information:
• Titles of artworks are italicized, dates follow in brackets i.e. Masaccio’s Holy Trinity (1425) is a
fresco depicting the Madonna and child enthroned.
• artists are referred to by full name initially and then subsequently by surname only
• Avoid the use of colloquialisms and contractions in your essay (i.e. I’m, don’t, isn’t, it’s)
• ‘its’ is a possessive form, ‘it’s’ is a contraction for it is
• You may use the first person or chose to write from the third person perspective. For
example: Immediately I noticed the use of saturated colour in the lower portion of the painting
which gives a sense of ground and weight to the composition. OR: The use of saturated
colour in the lower portion of the painting gives a sense of ground and weight to the
composition.
• Footnote or use MLA citations for all secondary material. Include a bibliography or works cited
page.
• You do not need to include images unless you refer to additional artworks.
• If you use quotations (which should be used sparingly and ONLY when they support your
thesis directly) cite them correctly and introduce them with your own text. For example: The
bold use of Christian symbolism in combination with references to popular culture underscore
what art critic Barbara Rose has named as “the religious mundane or popular icon.”1
• Paragraphs need a minimum of three sentences.
• Edit your paper for errors, sometimes reading your paper out loud will help catch small errors.