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Ms Smith's Online Art Department; Support Resources for Secondary School Students
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Critical Analysis                            
Where do I start? 

 

Critical analysis is a very important part of your coursework from GCSE to A-Level.
 
All studies need to start somewhere; RESEARCH.
 
There is more to research than google! This may seem like an old fashioned option (not!) but go to the library, look through books in the art room, and read making notes at the same time. Use the notes to write the study. If you are in the sixth form you can get a library card for UCCA (KIAD to you and me). They have a phenominal amount of books. Check out their online library (note: when you register with the library you can request books from other campuses, they usually take a couple of days to arrive).
 
Quality
Here are a few pointers for a good quality study:
  • Check your spelling and grammar
  • Re-read your work to make sure it is clear and makes sense
  • Always use good quality images and print them in colour with their titles and dates
  • Be thorough but leave out things that are not relevant or going to inform your work
  • Your are looking for more than technique, why did they do it? What was their influence?
  • You can break it into sub-headings or have it as one continuous text, as long as you cover everything and it is clear

 

 

GCSE 

 

At GCSE is is really important to plan out your written work before you write it up. You must ensure that all of the work is your own and in your own words. We need to know what you understand and regurgitating irrelevant information that you found on the internet does not illustrate that.
 
Use the 'Looking at Pictures' worksheet to help you plan your analysis. OR try the new revised version called Analysis Prompt Sheet

A-Level 

 

When writing analysis at A-level you have more time to spend on it so you can afford to dig a little deeper.

 

 The most important result of a critical study is for you to find an understanding of why and how your artist has done what they have so that you can make your own work in the style of that artist and manipulate it to develop your own style. Use the 'Analysis Prompt Sheet' to help you to do this.

 

When you come to start the written analysis use the 10 headings. Do your research first and make notes. Don't be tempted to do it as you are going along it won't be as clear or as easy. Use your notes to write the analysis.

 

Here are some helpful tips for research and a research table for you to make notes. Read the tips; this is a new process for you if you are starting A-Level and the expectations are different from GCSE.

 

Visual analysis is a very easy way to support your written work. Use the visual analysis prompt sheet to give you some ideas of how to do this.

 

Further resources for A-Level students