Unit 1 - Reflection on Academic Sessions With Eleanor & Critical Writing & Research.

I first met with Elenor on teams in October 2020, I had had a look at her own work and felt it would be good to get another women’s take on what I was thinking about and how I was approaching it.

We talked about how I was going to evaluate my research, my points of interest on the subject of what my paintings could be and how they linked to what I was intrested in discussing with in my work.

We came up with a list of key words - Domestic, Magic, Knowledge, Moments, Unknown, Lore.

And she sent me some guidelines - below.

Womens work, Domestic, At your mothers knee, Virtue, knowledge, Lore.

We both came up with the Piero De la Francesca virgin, Pietro's, my mums Art History tutors favourite, it hangs above my mothers bed and on her bed benight it lies her quilt…. There is a Sonja Delaunay link in there.

Later I reviewed the Essay and Dissertation Guidelines, the recording of the 30mins & I wrote out a research brief for unit 1 - Link.

Elenor’s notes & Guidelines

Essay and Dissertation Structure Guidelines

These guidelines apply to both essays and dissertations.

A dissertation is simply an expanded, more in-depth essay.

Remember that these guidelines are not rules, but they may help you to think about and structure your essay.

Suggested essay or dissertation structure:

INTRODUCTION: this is an overview for the reader of what they will read in your essay; there is no stipulated length, but the introduction is normally approximately 15% of the total word count.

The Introduction should include:

AIM: WHAT is this essay about?

What does it intend to do?

What is your KEY QUESTION?

METHOD: HOW will you discuss your key question, in other words what information will you use to support what you say, what are your KEY SOURCES?

These sources could be, for example: case studies, key texts, images, media material, examples of practice, or primary research such as interviews or a film you have seen etc]

CONTEXT for the question: This is a preliminary background for your question – so what are the first things you would explain to somebody who knows nothing about your subject? The context for the question can include your motivation, if you feel including this supports your discussion (argument). The background to your question might include, for example, historical and/or contemporary contexts, a political or ethical context. You will probably expand some of this material in the main body of the essay, for example when you are discussing case studies.

EXERCISE Try writing a draft introduction by making notes under each of the headings above, eg: ‘This essay aims to address (or discuss) the question of [write your question here] by referencing/referring to/discussing [put your key sources here]. The context for this question is […].

MAIN BODY OF DISCUSSION (the argument, or discussion) should be about 75% of the words count. This is where you expand on the introduction, using your source material (eg case studies and examples, references to texts etc) to support the key points you are making. Everything in your discussion should be relevant to and support your KEY QUESTION. The main body of the text is normally divided into sections in some way, for example into chapters or sections with sub-headings. Chapters can also be divided into sub-headed sections. Making headings for sections and chapters helps to guide the reader through the logic of your argument. It will also help you to make a clear structure for your argument.

CONCLUSION: Essay conclusions are not about giving definitive answers to anything. The conclusion should give an overview of what has been discussed - the key steps in your argument (its logic). Do not introduce any new material.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A complete list of your sources, correctly formatted and used as a resource for in-text references. For referencing guidelines, see Cite Them Right Online https://academicsupportonline.arts.ac.uk/resources/research-and-library-skills/getting-started/reference-using-citethemright

List of images (if appropriate): All your images should be correctly labelled and listed alphabetically, after the Bibliography - see Cite Them Right Online https://academicsupportonline.arts.ac.uk/resources/research-and-library-skills/getting-started/reference-using-citethemright

Appendices (if appropriate): Any information not central to your main text or too large to be included - for example, complete questionnaires, copies of letters, maps etc.

NB For more information on academic writing, research and other topics to do with your academic work at UAL, see https://academicsupportonline.arts.ac.uk/resources

Also, if you would like more academic writing support, you can sign up on the UAL academic support website here: https://academicsupportonline.arts.ac.uk/events