How Do You Write a Dissertation for Art History?

Art|Art History

Writing a dissertation for an art history program can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the conventions and expectations of such a document. The dissertation is the final piece of your graduate degree and serves as your opportunity to demonstrate original research, critical thinking skills, and mastery of the field. A successful dissertation should clearly communicate your findings, provide an engaging analysis of the topic, and utilize evidence-based arguments.

Step One: Selecting a Topic

The first step in writing a dissertation for art history is to select a topic. Your topic should be both interesting and manageable; it should be something that you have an interest in exploring that is also narrow enough to be thoroughly explored in the length of your dissertation. It can be helpful to discuss potential topics with faculty members who specialize in art history as they may have valuable guidance or insight into areas you may want to explore.

Step Two: Research

Once you have settled on your topic, it’s time to begin researching! The majority of research for art history dissertations will likely come from primary sources such as paintings, sculptures, or other works of visual art.

You will also want to make use of secondary sources such as books or articles written by experts on the topic or related topics. It’s important to keep track of all sources used during research as this information will need to be included in both the body and bibliography of your dissertation.

Step Three: Outline

After completing your research it’s time to create an outline for your paper. This outline should include all major points that will be discussed in each section as well as any evidence (visual or textual) that will be used to support them. Creating an outline prior to writing ensures that all points are addressed and organized logically within the paper which will make writing much easier in the long run!

Step Four: Writing

With your outline complete it’s time to begin writing! Start by introducing your topic and providing some background information before diving into each point outlined in the body section(s).

As you write remember to provide citations for any evidence used throughout the paper; this not only gives credit where due but also allows readers to easily reference additional information if they so choose. Once all sections are complete proofread everything carefully before submitting it for review!

Conclusion: Writing a dissertation for art history can seem like a daunting task but following these steps can help make it easier! Start by selecting an interesting yet manageable topic, conduct thorough research utilizing both primary and secondary sources, create an outline outlining major points/evidence used, then finally write and proofread everything before submission! With these steps followed you’ll be well on your way towards producing an effective dissertation on art history!