How to Write a Response to a Work of Art

Tips on Writing Five Paragraph Critical Essays

Response papers are particularly difficult to write because students are unsure about the exact proportion between ‘personal’ and ‘critical’ inputs. The basic rule about writing response essays is to balance these approaches according to their relevance. Response to an article, focusing on source facts and conclusions, is far more critical than responses to movies and books which are more subjective and personal.

Response Essay on Art – Introduction

According to essay service experts, in the introduction, you should name the artist as well as the title of the specific work that will be discussed subsequently. Don’t write the biography of the artist but do mention the artistic movement to which he or she belonged and situate the particular work of art in the artistic biography of the artist. If possible, account for the current place of exposition (name and location of the museum). Lastly, enumerate several aspects of the painting or sculpture which will constitute the subject of your analysis.

Art Response Essay Paragraphs

It should be composed of, preferably, three distinct paragraphs – each of them discussing your impressions and thoughts relating to the work of art in question. Learn How to Write Paragraphs, to see how to properly organize argumentation within the body essay.

In order to account for the distinct aspects of all discussed problems, paragraphs can be written in different styles which will enrich all statements and make the essay a genuinely reflective piece of writing. Read about Seven Types of Paragraphs, to see which might work best for your response paper.

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Art Response Paper Argumentation

Argumentation presented in a response paper on art should be organized in accordance with paragraphs. Definition, exposition, and classification paragraphs all seem very useful in this kind of critical writing. The painting or sculpture shouldn’t be described in detail, but you need to provide enough information for viewers who are not acquainted with it.

Situate the work of art in the context of the artist’s creativity and relate it to the artistic movement from which it is derived. Does the painting contain any autobiographical elements?
Write about all social, historical, and political conditions of the painting in question. Was the painting a response to some social phenomenon? Does the painting represent any political option? Has the painting fulfilled any historical role since the times when it as first exhibited publically?
Comment on the artistic skills of the author. Is the technique unilateral or, maybe, it draws from several various styles?
Pay attention to detail – you should give your opinion on canvas types, shading, focus, and emotion.

Response Paper on Art – Conclusion

Response essay on a work of art should contain a short summary as well as a restatement of all points comprised in your argumentation. It should account for general impressions and thoughts connected with the painting or sculpture and an estimation of its importance in art history. The conclusion can also focus on the question of its relevance with respect to contemporary art styles and movements.

Response papers are, generally, a mixture of personal and critical writing. In order to succeed in writing response essays, you should get acquainted with different response essay styles. There are many other ways of write essays for money – you can learn all about them from my blog post containing links to relevant articles as well as further reading tips.