1. Visual Arts Essay AVI 3MI
Thesis Development
Visual Arts Essay
AVI 3MI

2. Make an assertion or claim
Fact or observation: There was a lot of religious art in the 16th century. Thesis: The Catholic Church was a major patron of the 16th century, thus driving the subject matter to be religious in nature.
Make an assertion or claim
(not a statement of fact or an observation)

3. Take a stand on a subject
Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty being a woman artist through time. Thesis: There are less women artists throughout western history because they did not have the same educational opportunities.
Take a stand on a subject
(rather than announcing a topic or subject).

4. The thesis is your main idea.
Title: Pop Art and the Anti-War movement Thesis: The Pop Art of the 1960’s reacted visually to the anti-war sentiments of the United States.
The thesis is your main idea.
It is not a title or sentence fragment.

5. The thesis statement is narrow and specific.
Vague: Norman Rockwell’s illustrations were popular. Specific: Norman Rockwell’s illustrations reflected cultural concerns of the day.
The thesis statement is narrow and specific.
It is not broad or vague. It is not too big an idea to support in one paper.

6. The thesis has one main point.
More than one main point: Alfred Stieglitz was instrumental in developing an appreciation of photography as fine art, and was also key in promoting Georgia O’Keeffe’s career. One main point: Alfred Stieglitz was instrumental in developing an appreciation of photography as fine art.
The thesis has one main point.
Several points make it difficult for the writer to provide support and for the reader to follow.

7. This presentation is adapted from “How to develop a thesis statement for your art history paper”, found at the website of the New Hampshire Institute of Art.