PRO302 SP2011 PROFESSIONAL ARTIST

Wed. 8:30a-11:20a LO201 or 1:00p-3:50p LO002

BLOG ADDRESS: http://nhiaprofessionalartist.blogspot.com/ SHORT ESSAY
PROFESSORS: Alison Williams, MFA & Catherine Scala, MFA
Email: awillliams@nhia.edu ------ catherinescala@nhia.edu


SHORT ESSAY

Writer's Name: _______________________________

Focus and Content: ……………………………………………………………….……….60%

Introduction
1 2 3 4 5 1. Does the writer introduce the discipline that he/she works in (e.g.,
Digital Photography, Painting etc.)?

1 2 3 4 5 2. Does the writer broadly describe the primary tradition of the medium
that he/she relates to (e.g., Romanticism, Impressionism, Classicism,
Realism, Graphic Novel, Illustrative)?

1 2 3 4 5 3. Does the writer broadly tell the reader the intent of the paper?


1 2 3 4 5 4. Does the writer introduce and connect his/her work to the 2 artists
(one current and one historical) that they will discuss throughout the
paper?


1 2 3 4 5 5. Does the writer broadly tell the reader his/her creative motivation,
including the content and materials they use in their work?


1 2 3 4 5 6. Does the writer introduce the piece of his/her work that he/she will
discuss and analyze throughout the paper?

Body (Analysis)
1 2 3 4 5 7. Does the essay examine specific artistic choices of materials and
technique that define the work of the 2 artists discussed?


1 2 3 4 5 8. Does the essay examine/compare the specific artistic choices of
materials and techniques that define the writerʼs piece of work?

1 2 3 4 5 9. Does the writer investigate the reasons why the work of the 2 artists
they discuss is made this particular way (by describing specific
examples of artistʼs choices of scale, composition, color, value, and
effect)?


1 2 3 4 5 10. Does the writer go on to investigate or compare the reasons why
the his/her own work is made in a particular way (by describing specific
examples of his/her choices of scale, composition, color, and value)?

1 2 3 4 5 11. Does the writer show an understanding of the subject of the work


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PRO302 SP2011 PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Wed. 8:30a-11:20a LO201 or 1:00p-3:50p LO002
BLOG ADDRESS: http://nhiaprofessionalartist.blogspot.com/ SHORT ESSAY
PROFESSORS: Alison Williams, MFA & Catherine Scala, MFA
Email: awillliams@nhia.edu ------ catherinescala@nhia.edu


of the 2 artists they discuss (by interpreting meaning of subject and its
creative motivation, based on specific artistic choices, cultural context?)


1 2 3 4 5 12. Does the writer go on to show an understanding of his/her own
choice of subject matter (by describing specific artistic choices of
subject)?

1 2 3 4 5 13. Does the writer show an understanding of the style (tradition) of

the work of the 2 artists they discuss (by describing specific artistic
choices?)


1 2 3 4 5 14. Does the writer go on to show an understanding of his/her own
choice of style (by describing specific artistic choices)?

1 2 3 4 5 15. Does the writer provide sufficient commentary, examples and

explanation (on the chosen artists and piece) to prove his/her claims
about the choices and decisions?

16. Does the writer provide enough details about each of these
examples?

1 2 3 4 5 17. Does the essay include 4 documented sources (using MLA in-text
citation) to support the thesis (ideas and statements)?

Conclusion
1 2 3 4 5 18. Does the conclusion support the thesis and tie together the ideas
of the essay?


19. Does the conclusion reflect on what the writer has learned about
his/her work and choices?


20. Does the writer close with insights about where his/her work might
go in the future based on the knowledge gained by this exploration.

Organization: (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) ..……………………………….15%

1 2 3 4 5 21. Does the essay have a declarative introduction, an illustrative

body, and summarizing conclusion?

22. Does the introduction state the specific topic, have a clear
thesis, and inform reader of main ideas that follow?

23. Does each body paragraph include a topic sentence, supporting

details, and analysis their significance?


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PRO302 SP2011 PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Wed. 8:30a-11:20a LO201 or 1:00p-3:50p LO002
BLOG ADDRESS: http://nhiaprofessionalartist.blogspot.com/ SHORT ESSAY
PROFESSORS: Alison Williams, MFA & Catherine Scala, MFA
Email: awillliams@nhia.edu ------ catherinescala@nhia.edu


24. Are paragraphs in logical order, and coherence devices used
effectively within and between paragraphs?

25. Does the conclusion begin with a comprehensive statement, go on

to review the essayʼs specific ideas and discoveries, and close with
deductible insight?

Grammar & Mechanics: ……………………………………………….…………10%

1 2 3 4 5 26. Are verbs correct (correct form, agree with subject, correct
tense)?

27. Are nouns accurate (articles, plurals, possessives)?

28. Is word choice precise? Are word forms correct?

29. Does the writer use effective and varied sentence structure,
avoid fragments, run-ons, and dangling/misplaced modifiers?

1 2 3 4 5 Overall Quality………………………………………………………….15%

5 pts. is reserved for exemplary papers that exhibit reflective thought as well as good analysis. (Note:
Students who have difficulty writing should ask for proofreading assistance from other qualified people. For
further assistance, schedule an appointment with the Academic Service Center.)

4 pts. is given to thoughtful responses that reflect depth of thinking on the topic. Thoughts are not trite or
superficial, paper has little or no “fluff.”* Well-written with very few grammatical and/or spelling errors.

3 pts. reflects a moderate depth of thinking. May have grammatical and/or spelling errors. May have had
too much “fluff.”*

2 pts. Met some of the requirements, but not all. May not have shown signs of gaining insight or learning.
May contain a lot of facts that would be considered common knowledge. Little depth and perhaps too many
generalities. May be very poorly written.

1 pt. Did not meet the requirements

*Fluff (or filler) is any extraneous material that does not contribute to the thesis or goal of your paper. It might
also include any clichés such as "Since the dawn of time, man has wondered about how to justify true
beliefs….” (Definition adapted from the Pages of William T. Myers, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Birmingham-Southern College.
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/hilde/Philhandouts/Writing_Philosophy%28Myers%29.html)

Comments:


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PRO302 SP2011 PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Wed. 8:30a-11:20a LO201 or 1:00p-3:50p LO002
BLOG ADDRESS: http://nhiaprofessionalartist.blogspot.com/ SHORT ESSAY
PROFESSORS: Alison Williams, MFA & Catherine Scala, MFA
Email: awillliams@nhia.edu ------ catherinescala@nhia.edu


Priorities for your revision:

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