INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING A VISUAL ANALYSIS

The goal of a visual analysis is to present a clear assessment and understanding of the works under study, supported by pertinent observed detail. Be concise and give thoughtful consideration to the order in which you analyze the works.

To write a visual analysis, discuss in good English compositional form the work(s) in the ways that are most significant for it (each). Write in clear, precise English. Think carefully what you mean. Examine the effects that the formal qualities produce and the reasons that the design(s) may be interested in these particular effects. Use specific details to support your ideas about each work, but don't merely describe or list observations. Consider the significance of why you mention each detail and the artistic reasons for the points you make. Try to go beyond your first impressions and think subtly about the work, but keep your language clear. Pay attention to the relationships between sentences. How do you lead from one sentence to the next one? Your paper should be a well-organized, integrated essay, not a string of random comments.

If writing on more than one work, be sure to discuss each work in comparison, not in isolation, although you may wish to discuss first one work and then the other while referring back to the first one. Don't neglect one of the pair, even if you personally prefer one; rather consider what its strengths may be.

Take notes and write an outline or first draft while you are viewing the work(s). You may find it useful to make sketches. After you have finished the body of your paper, leave your paper aside in order to spend time thinking about what is (are) the most important point(s) you wish to get across; incorporate these ideas into an interesting conclusion. Then think how best to lead your reader into your paper, i.e., write your introduction last. Finally, you are expected to use correct spelling and proper punctuation so that your reader(s) won't be distracted from your thoughts while reading your paper. It is a good idea to have your college writing assistant go over your paper with you. Papers with too many errors will be returned for correction. Proofread carefully by printing and reading your final draft. Accurate proofreading cannot be done on the computer screen, but must be done on a printed copy.

Henry M. Sayre, Writing About Art, has an informative discussion of how to write analyses of works of art. Blanche Ellsworth, English Simplified, an exceedingly useful, brief compendium of the mechanics of writing for sale at the bookstore, has helpful notes on writing; I recommend it highly.

A few notes on English usage

Pay attention to relationships between sentences. How do you lead from one sentence to the next? How does each sentence help to build your argument?

Reconsider the verb or the sentence structure whenever you use a form of the verb, "to be." You can often rewrite the sentence in a stronger form.

Avoid dull phrases such as, "Now I will examine...." Instead, draw your discussion from the material itself.

Remember, "it's" means "it is"; "its" indicates the possessive, as in "its capital."

Don't forget to use the apostrophe (') whenever appropriate.

Avoid the word "unique." That's an aspect of many works! It's a vacuous word. Moreover, are you sure that such a work is "unique"?

Use qualifiers ("very," "quite," "rather," etc.) minimally; since they are seldom needed, they weaken your argument.

Avoid using nouns as modifiers, e.g. clerestory vaulting shaft capital, tribune elevation opening, etc.

Also, avoid using quotation marks (") unless you are using a direct quotation; they are otherwise rarely needed. Incidentally, note that the form of the noun is "quotation," that for the verb is "quote," as in "to quote."

Finally, consult with others, especially the college writing assistants.

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This page was last reviewed on 12/1/97.