Final Essay
Description: In this assignment, you write two essays, each of roughly 1000 words.
The first essay should be a detailed analytical review, roughly 1000 words long, of one of the experiences you have had in the course. You may develop one of your journal entries, or you can start from scratch. You might choose to survey the work of a particular visual artist, or you might choose a particular show. In either case, close analytical response to specific details is essential.
The second essay, also of roughly 1000 words, should be comparative in approach. It should use several artistic experiences from the course to explore a particular theme or critical concept. This essay can also articulate and explain your own artistic tastes and preferences.
The best essays will show evidence of research. They will use analytical concepts and background information introduced in class. They will show self-awareness, and close attention and engagement with the works under discussion. They will be carefully organized, written, referenced, and proofread.
Rubric for final essays
A
B
C
D
F
Descriptive content
40%
Informative, accurate, precise, coherent description. Careful, thorough, inventive research. Close and accurate observation.
Sound observation without individual perspective or full engagement. Unimaginative but thorough research.
Generalities unsupported by specifics. Thin research. Inaccurate or casual observation.
Vague or unclear description. No research. Ignoring the brief.
Writing about what you did not experience. Plagiarism.
Analytical content
40%
Thoughtful, original, persuasive critical analysis. Appropriate use of research and theoretical material from class. Generalizations supported by appropriate and precise evidence.
Sound critical analysis using research and theoretical material from class. Generalizations supported by evidence.
Analysis shows some failure to understand critical concepts or to integrate research. Generalizations not always supported by evidence.
Theoretical confusion. Unclear writing. No evidential support for generalizations or value judgements.
Writing about what you did not experience. Plagiarism.
Presentation
20%
Elegant and precise writing, thoughtful editing, meticulous proofreading. References provided where appropriate in accordance with Hult style manual
Generally clear writing, editing, proofreading. References provided where appropriate.
Some unclear writing. Sloppy editing and proofreading. References missing.
No evidence of revision or proofreading. No references.
Word porridge or plagiarism.
