VAST 2011: Looking to Write, Writing to Look Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing Barbara Bassett and Becca Mitchell
Look, read, respond (part 1) Work of art used: Henry Ossawa Tanner, Portrait of the Artist’s Mother First, look closely at the painting for 5 minutes. Write down your thoughts, questions, and observations as you look. (What do you notice? How would you describe the mood/feeling? What questions do you have about this woman?)
*This activity was adapted from the “Look, read, respond” exercise listed on page 54 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource. Portrait of the Artist's Mother Look, read, respond (part 2) Now that you have some background information about the painting, take a moment to look closely at it again for a few minutes. What new thoughts do you have? What ideas or messages do you find in the work? What new things did you notice when you looked back at the painting the second time?
Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing
Headlines Work of art used: JMW Turner, The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons Write a news story headline (for a newspaper, magazine, blog, or website) that catches people’s attention and summarizes the main action of the story.
Be a reporter Imagine you could interview one of the individuals watching this scene (a spectator on the riverbank, in the water, or on the bridge; a firefighter, the artist, a member of Parliament, or one of the workmen). Write a quote from this person that you would use in your news story. *These activities were adapted from the “Headlines” and “Be a reporter” exercises listed on page 49 and 51 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource. Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing Three Brillo Boxes Divide and conquer Work of art used: Andy Warhol, Three Brillo Boxes Each group will be assigned a different idea about Andy Warhol’s Three Brillo Boxes:that it is criticizing or celebrating American society/culture. Pair off within your group and find evidence in the work of art that supports your assigned position. Use the space below to prepare an argument to persuade someone of this position: *This activity was adapted from the “Divide and conquer” exercise listed on page 53 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource. Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing The Thinker Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil Instructions Works of art used: Auguste Rodin, The Thinker and Claude Monet, Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil Select a work of art and write a set of instructions related to the image. For example, how to enjoy a summer day (Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil) or how to come up with a great idea (The Thinker). Use one of these examples, or come up with your own. *This activity was adapted from the “Instructions” exercise listed on page 49 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource.
Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing
Barbara Bassett and Becca Mitchell
Look, read, respond (part 1)
Work of art used: Henry Ossawa Tanner, Portrait of the Artist’s Mother
First, look closely at the painting for 5 minutes.
Write down your thoughts, questions, and observations as you look. (What do you notice? How would you describe the mood/feeling? What questions do you have about this woman?)
*This activity was adapted from the “Look, read, respond” exercise listed on page 54 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource.
Portrait of the Artist's Mother
Look, read, respond (part 2)
Now that you have some background information about the painting, take a moment to look closely at it again for a few minutes.
What new thoughts do you have?
What ideas or messages do you find in the work?
What new things did you notice when you looked back at the painting the second time?
Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing
Headlines
Work of art used: JMW Turner, The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons
Write a news story headline (for a newspaper, magazine, blog, or website) that catches people’s attention and summarizes the main action of the story.
The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, October 16, 1834
Be a reporter
Imagine you could interview one of the individuals watching this scene (a spectator on the riverbank, in the water, or on the bridge; a firefighter, the artist, a member of Parliament, or one of the workmen). Write a quote from this person that you would use in your news story.
*These activities were adapted from the “Headlines” and “Be a reporter” exercises listed on page 49 and 51 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource.
Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing
Three Brillo Boxes
Divide and conquer
Work of art used: Andy Warhol, Three Brillo Boxes
Each group will be assigned a different idea about Andy Warhol’s Three Brillo Boxes:that it is criticizing or celebrating American society/culture. Pair off within your group and find evidence in the work of art that supports your assigned position. Use the space below to prepare an argument to persuade someone of this position:
*This activity was adapted from the “Divide and conquer” exercise listed on page 53 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource.
Gallery session: Expository and Persuasive Writing
The Thinker Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil
Instructions
Works of art used: Auguste Rodin, The Thinker and Claude Monet, Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil
Select a work of art and write a set of instructions related to the image. For example, how to enjoy a summer day (Railroad Bridge, Argenteuil) or how to come up with a great idea (The Thinker). Use one of these examples, or come up with your own.
*This activity was adapted from the “Instructions” exercise listed on page 49 of the Looking to Write, Writing to Look teaching resource.