In this lesson you will write a draft essay introduction following these steps:

1. Open a new Word document > SAVE AS: Essay draft
2. Copy essay question into Essay title: Hypothesis > if you don’t have one yet, make one!
3. Copy your essay introduction (draft) written before Xmas and use it as a template to build upon
4. Identify 2 quotes from sources using Harvard System of Referencing.
5. Use one quote as an opening quote: Choose a quote from either one of your photographers or critics. It has to be something that relates to your investigation.
6. Add sources to Bibliograpphy > if by now you don’t have any sources, use  S. Sontag. On Photography Ch1
7. Begin to write a paragraph (250-500 words) answering the following questions:
   Think about an opening that will draw your reader in e.g. you can use an opening quote that sets the scene. Or think more philosophically about the nature of photography and and feeble relationship with reality.
   You should include in your introduction an outline of your intention of your study e.g.
   What are you going to investigate.
   How does this area/ work interest you?
   What are you trying to prove/challenge, argument/ counter-argument?
   Whose work (artists/photographers) are you analysing and why?
   What historical or theoretical context is the work situated within. Include 1 or 2 quotes for or against.
   What links are there with your previous studies?
   What have you explored so far in your Coursework or what are you going to photograph?
   How did or will your work develop.
   What camera skills, techniques or digital processes in Photoshop have or are you going to experiment with?
8. Look at an opening sentence.
9. You got 45 mins to write a new draft and upload to the blog!

If you are satisfied that you have written an essay introduction answering the above questions then continue to write paragraph 1:

Paragraph 1 Structure (500 words) : Use subheading. This paragraph covers the first thing you said in your introduction that you would address. The first sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Other sentences develop the subject of the paragraph.

Content: you could look at the following…

1. Exemplify your hypothesis within a historical and theoretical context.
2. Write about how your area of study and own work is linked to a specific art movement/ ism.
3. Research and read key text and articles from critics, historians and artists associated with the movement/ism.
4. Use quotes from sources to make a point, back it up with evidence or an example (a photograph), explain how the image supports the point made or how your interpretation of the work may disapprove.
5. How does the photograph compare or contrast with others made by the same photographer, or to other images made in the same period or of the same genre by other artists.
6. How does the photograph relate to visual representation in general, and in particularly to the history and theory of photography, arts and culture.

Include relevant examples, illustrations, details, quotations, and references showing evidence of reading, knowledge and understanding of history, theory and context!

See link to powerpoints: Pictorialism vs Realism and Modernism vs Postmodernismhere M:\Departments\Photography\Students\Resources\Personal Study