A Short Guide to Writing about Art

by Sylvan Barnet

Book Overview

The best-selling guide to writing about art Sylvan Barnet's A Short Guide to Writing About Art guides students through every aspect of writing about art. Students are shown how to analyze pictures... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0136138551
• ISBN13: 9780136138556
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Length: 378 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Great Help

I originally purchased this book as a guide to writing for my critical essays in art history classes. I have found it to be so helpful. It includes the kind of information that you don't even think about until you actually need to utilize them..so grateful it was available to me. The explanations and provided examples are very clear. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve in their writing style.

very useful

This is a wonderful book for people like me who write research papers and wonder if they are on the right track. Easy to read and extremely useful in giving tips and guidance. Must have book.

A must-have

This is a must have for any art major that is currently or will be going into any college Art Program -- especially the analysis of Art via Art History classes. The directives are clear and easy to follow. Barnet breaks down all facets of writing -- from Reviews of exhibits to critical analysis of art work. This book can also be helpful in other classes as it guides the reader into writing more concisely and in a more direct manner. This is an excellent addition to any College Student and/or Faculty library.

Great reference guide

I purchased this book at the beginning of the semester and have found it an invaluable resource. This is my first term as a graduate student, and I don't think I could have survived had it not been for this book. It gives useful commentary, helpful hints and a terrific reference section for footnotes and bibliographies. It addresses real problems that often occur in writing an art history paper and provides insightful solutions that encourage independent thinking. It also includes a section on essay exams which gets a quick read through when I take a test. I had several "a ha!" moments when reading it for the first time, and now I keep it within arms reach whenever I write. The price was a little steep, so I hesitated in buying, but when I finally made the purchase I was glad that I had.

How to read a potato in a painting as a potato and not a solar symbol?

This book is about writing on art.It has sections to equip you with what to keep in mind while writing an essay, research paper or review of an exhibit. The book has sample examples for comparitive essays and reviews with a good analysis on the organization of the material, its purpose and aptness for the reader. The checklist on writing on art can be extended to writing on books too. The many references to artists of all times with your interest will give you a walk through the whole of history of art. The sections on what is art, interpretation, the importance of seeing for creating art and quotes by many writers and artists are interesting to read.