Writing an essay for Visual Arts is somewhat like producing your BOW, it is something that comes from a great deal of effort and refinement. The effort spent in your researching the topics, mapping and synthesising ideas and recognising and addressing what is asked within the essay question are all important tasks to ensure you construct a resolved piece of writing. Your response for Section 2 needs to be dense with meaning and knowledge about the Visual Arts and effective application of either Practice / Conceptual Framework / Frames.

Like all essays there is a basic structure to work from. You may wish to follow it or develop your own approach from it.

Step 1
Recognise what is being asked in the question and respond specifically to the demands of the question.
Fortunately in Section 2 of the examination you have three questions for each of the content areas. This being:

3 Questions - Practice
3 Questions - Conceptual Framework
3 Questions - Frames

You only need to answer one question from one of these nine for Section 2.

Step 2
Contextualise your knowledge. Match what you know to what is being asked in the question. Map out ways you can use your knowledge coherently to address the demands of the question and construct a sound essay.
Very rarely can you guess exactly what the question will be prior to the examination so be prepared to mould what you know around the question. Brianstorming in the first minute and mapping out key points is an important step in constructing a well-written essay.

Step 3
Write. You have only 45 minutes in this section; it's not much time to get down over a year of study. Make sure that the paragraphs are clearly formulated around key topics that address the question.
The essay should be structured something like this:

Introduction
Main Body (comprising of different topics/ themes/ artists)
Conclusion

Introduction: Account for the question and introduce the topics, themes artists and /or artworks.

Topic sentence: This may relate to a theme, an account of an artist, a critique of an artwork, discussion of a critic, theoretician or historian. The following sentence will elaborate upon the topic revealing a clear understanding of what is being discussed. The following sentences may make further connections with the use of quotes or similarities that arise in other practitioners. The final sentence in this paragraph should tie up the topic with the question in a clear manner. (Remember you are being assessed not only on your knowledge but how well you respond to the demands of the question).

So each paragraph will have the basic structure that looks like this:

Topic sentence
A group of sentences that elaborate upon the topic
Use of quotes or examples of art works that support the points you make
A sentence that connects and addresses the demands of the question

This is a basic structure that is repeated for each paragraph, each topic/ theme/ artist discussed should relate to the plan you made in the first few minutes of the examination.

Conclusion: This is the final part of your essay and is as valuable as the introduction. It is the summation of how you understand the question and what the key points are within the essay.
A key rule in the conclusion is not to introduce new information. New information should be placed in the main body of the essay.

Remember when writing for Section 2:

Recognise what is being asked and address the question.
Contextualise your knowledge with the demands of the question.
Write in a coherent and succinct manner.

Critical essay marking criteria

A coherent, sustained and well-reasoned point of view is represented which may acknowledge key concepts and the ideas of other critics Contextually strong with specific and relevant information that enriches the content of the critical account of the exhibition The subject(s) are comprehensively examined and interpreted in relation to the critical account constructed The selection and significance of examples are explained and used effectively construct a critical account. The critical account explains and evaluates key points of the artwork and the artist The critical account utilises a complex and logical evaluation of the Visual Arts. The critical account reflects an extensive understanding of the Visual Arts and thorough research of the topic	HIGH
A coherent and reasoned point of view is represented and sustained in the critical account All relevant aspects of content are thoroughly explained and more conventionally interpreted in relation to a critique of artworks and or artists Selected examples are examined and used to support a coherent account Critical argument reflects an accomplished and logical approach to criticism. The account reflects a thorough understanding of the Visual Arts
A reasoned point of view is presented and constructs a sustained critical account Most relevant aspects of content are broadly explained and artworks Are conventionally interpreted within the critical account. Examples are generally explained, and used to support the critical account in a basic manner. The critical account is reasonably clear and reflect a some understanding of the visual arts.
A point of view is presented but is unevenly sustained within the critical account Aspects of critical account are represented but explanations are superficial Examples are described in an obvious manner The critical account tends to be inconsistent and/or not well developed. The critical account reflects a foundational understanding of the visual arts
Comments are offered only marginally relate to a critical account of the exhibition Ideas are identified and examined in isolated ways to the exhibition Critical account is driven by opinions with no critical support or explanation	LOW

Essay Scaffold - Art:
The Four Fingers and one Thumb Plan

Any essay requires you to:

A: Analyse the question - what are you being asked to do?
B: Brainstorm - what do you know about this question?
C: Construct - what order will you use to answer the question - better to spend time now than have ideas all over the place
D: Develop your essay now you have your ideas out and sorted - that is, Write
E: Edit, check does it make sense, spelling and grammar

Question is:
Select a key artist who has been influential in your own art making and provide a critical account of his/her practice. In your response you must provide information about their practice, artistic concepts and use of materials. Provide examples of artworks to support your account.

INTRODUCTION - answer the question, using the words from the question and explain how you will be arguing your points (you must keep this order)

PARAGRAPH 1 - topic sentence explaining the point you are making

Elaboration

Example &/or quote

Tie back to the question

PARAGRAPH 2 - topic sentence explaining the point you are making

Elaboration

Example &/or quote

Tie back to the question

PARAGRAPH 3 - topic sentence explaining the point you are making

Elaboration

Example &/or quote