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Using
the Available Resources
Term Papers are written exposition or elaboration of
your view on a particular topic, subject or issue. Within
a stipulated length, usually 1200 to 3500 words, your
paper will consist of a clear statement of what you
think about a particular issue or topic followed by
a logical argument supported by strong, well-documented
evidence.
The papers are not only an important learning process
but can also be used as assessment instrument, since
when you begin your research on a selected topic you
often have no idea of what your view or argument will
be.
The
process of research, planning and writing of your paper
helps you shape, clarify and finally expound your thinking
or analysis. Many notes and several drafts of your paper
might have to be written before your argument or perspective
on a particular topic falls into place.
This
is why it is imperative to allocate enough time in your
study program for writing preliminary drafts. Students
often lament that they discovered what they really wanted
to say at the end of a hastily written essay, when they
had no time for a rewrite. Sources used in paper writing.
The
information and evidence used in formulating an argument,
in paper form, will come from texts (mostly books and
journals), electronic sources and actual works of art.
When writing about art the most important focus of your
analysis should be original art objects; but any judgments
you make about works of art should be informed by what
has been written about them, and your interpretation
should be measured against the existing research in
your field of interest. Therefore wide reading is essential
in any art theory essay. However, choose your source
material intelligently, many "coffee-table"
style art books contain misleading generalizations and
factual information that is dated or incorrect.
Also,
school textbooks (such as Gardner's Art Through the
Ages) are poor source material for most tertiary writing.
As with encyclopedia articles, they may be useful in
initially surveying a topic but you will need to consult
more specific secondary sources. Most of the information
you access on the Internet using generic search engines
and sites such as Yahoo or AltaVista will fall into
the encyclopedic category. Only very refined searching
of specialist databases will allow you to access high
quality and primary material. There will be more later
on how to access this material via the Internet.
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