Art and Architecture

1. Read your assignment carefully - make sure every component is in your paper:

Introduction: The basic information

Content: Answers the questions "What is it?" If there is background or context, explain it here.

Style: "What does it look like?" And how was it made?

Meaning: "Why was it created?" How have others interpreted/investigated this thing?

Conclusion: How do you feel about this work?

2. Don't look for sources that "solve" your paper.  Think of each source as a potential piece of evidence to help you build your paper.  An example of five sources used to report on the Tower of London might include:

• A book about the Tower
• The official website for the Tower
• A book on medieval fortresses, in general
• A journal article describing the integrity and maintenance of the structure
• A review article on Gothic Revival architecture

3. If the work you are focusing on is obscure use art or museum websites and blogs like Sartle to provide clues for further investigation.

4. Take notes carefully and separately.  Copy/pasting can lead to accidental plagiarism.

5. Ask your instructor and librarians for help.

Use the Search Strategy Builder below to create your search and then cut and paste into most databases' search boxes or Google.