Essay question:
　

• Identify and demonstrate an understanding of the key ideas and theories that affect the practice, production and consumption of art, design and media
  -social, political, economic and historical contexts
• Begin to apply appropriate theoretical approaches to the study and interpretation of art, design and media.
  -With guidance, begin to apply an appropriate theoretical approach to the study and interpretation of art, design and media
• Research, evaluate and contextualise their own area of practice informed by key ideas and theories.
  -Investigate a range of art, design and media practices utilising basic research methods and employing standard acedemic conventions
• Demonstrate a range of communication skills utilising academic conventions.
  -Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills

Interpreting the breif:

• Analyse
  -Examine in detail, showing positive and negative aspects
• Describe
  -Give a detailed account of …
• Define
  -Give the exact meaning of …
• Outline
  -Give the main points of …
• Summarise
  -Give a brief account of …
• Compare
  -Point out all the similarities between items
• Contrast
  -Point out all the differences between items
• Explain
  -Make clear, possibly giving examples and reasons
• Visual Analysis: -Formal Qualities-What do you see?-Denotation
• Visual Analysis: – Content/Meaning – How do you interpret? - Connotation
• Critical Analysis: – Modes of Critique – Response from others
• Assess: – Weigh up the value of and give a judgement

Research:

• Reading, Reading, Reading
• ‘Collect’ quotes to suit your purpose. Use reading handouts and lists for this purpose
• Build your list of references as you build the research
• Keep notes from lectures that could be relevant to your essay
• Collate all research material in your journal
• Structure your journal to suit your purposes and establish an effective retrieval system

Recomended research sources:

• Books
• Newspapers
• Reviews
• Journals
• Magazines
• Elibrary & Athens
• Internet
• Galleries
• Films, Documentaries
• Essays, Dissertations
• Lectures/notes
• Artists’ Interviews
• Performances

Not recomended:

• Google
• Wikipedia
• Ask Jeeves
• Student work