For AP Literature, I have to write a 2 page (double spaced) paper analyzing how the painting Descending a Staircase by Marcel Duchamp and the poem of the same name by X. J. Kennedy have a successful connection.
What is a good place to start and what are things to mention that would fill up 2 pages in a well written essay?
Basically, you'll be COMPARING the two -- explaining how they are similar.
So start by brainstorming in two columns. Write down the details you see in the painting in one column; write down the details you read/hear in the poem in the other. You'll actually find yourself going back and forth as you think of things.
Once you've finished listing, identify the items in each column that are SIMILAR to the items in the other. You could use numbers, letters, symbols, or different colors of highlighters to help you SEE the correlating similarities.
Once you've identified the main (probably 3 or 4) similarities you want to include in your paper, you'll be ready to decide what order to put them in. And THEN you'll be ready to write a thesis statement.
Once you have the thesis statement written and the main points you've identified written into an outline or plan, you'll be ready to start writing your rough draft. Don't bother writing the introduction until after you've written the body of the paper. After writing the body of the paper and the introduction, you'll be ready to write the introduction.
That's the rough draft. Get ready to revise and edit before you write your second draft; you may end up writing more than two rough drafts!
Here are some websites that will help with various parts of what you need to do:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/comparison.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/thesis.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/intros.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/endings.htm
Sorry -- correction in this sentence:
After writing the body of the paper and the introduction, you'll be ready to write the conclusion.
To write a successful paper analyzing the connection between the painting " Descending a Staircase" by Marcel Duchamp and the poem of the same name by X. J. Kennedy, there are several steps you can follow. Here's how you can start and what you can include to fill up two pages in a well-written essay:
1. Start with an introduction:
- Begin by providing a brief overview of both the painting and the poem.
- Introduce the artists, Marcel Duchamp and X. J. Kennedy, and their background if relevant.
- Clearly state your thesis or main argument, which should address how the painting and the poem have a successful connection.
2. Analyze the painting:
- Describe the visual elements of the painting, such as color, shape, and movement.
- Discuss how Duchamp's use of Cubist style and multiple perspectives contributes to the overall meaning of the artwork.
- Identify the main themes or messages conveyed by the painting, and consider how they relate to the poem.
3. Analyze the poem:
- Examine the structure, form, and literary techniques used by X. J. Kennedy in the poem.
- Interpret the meaning of the poem and identify its main themes or messages.
- Pay attention to imagery, metaphors, and symbolism employed in the poem and connect them to the visual elements in the painting.
4. Compare and contrast:
- Point out the similarities and differences between the painting and the poem.
- Explore how the visual and linguistic mediums differ in conveying meaning and symbolism.
- Discuss how the artists' perspectives and intentions may have influenced their respective works.
5. Explore the connection between the painting and the poem:
- Analyze the specific aspects of the painting and the poem that establish a successful connection.
- Consider how the poem responds to or interprets the visual representation in the painting.
- Discuss the possible inspirations and influences that the poem may have drawn from Duchamp's artwork.
6. Provide evidence and examples:
- Support your arguments with specific quotes or stanzas from the poem.
- Reference specific elements of the painting to illustrate your points.
- Include evidence that demonstrates a conscious interplay between the two artworks by both the artist and the poet.
7. Conclusion:
- Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in relation to the connection between the painting and the poem.
- Reflect on the significance of this connection and its contribution to the overall understanding and appreciation of both artworks.
Remember to organize your essay logically, provide smooth transitions between paragraphs, and thoroughly proofread for clarity, grammar, and punctuation. This structure should help you fill up two pages in a well-written essay on the successful connection between the painting " Descending a Staircase" and the poem of the same name by X. J. Kennedy.