HUMANITIES UM1020
GUIDELINES FOR ORAL REPORTS
TOPIC
The student must select an artist (painter, sculptor, photographer, choreographer, composer,
playwright, film director, philosopher) of merit as the topic for the report. The artist must be someone
who creates work, not an interpreter. Example: composer, not singer; choreographer, not dancer; film
director, not actor. The selection must be approved by the instructor.
RESEARCH
The student will research the life and work of the individual selected. The research should focus on the
major contributions of the artist, not trivial matters. Research may be conducted via the internet, by
using the library, or other methods, but the information presented must be accurate. Points will be
deducted for inaccuracies or factual mistakes in the presentation.
PRESENTATION
The student will present a 3-minute oral presentation to the class on the day assigned. The report
should focus on:
a) What influenced the artist to create his/her work?
b) What are the major works and elements of style that the artist is known for?
c) Did the individual invent a new style or lead a movement in his/her field?
d) What are the characteristics of his/her work?
e) What other artists or movements in art did the artist influence?
f)
Some artists have created work that is controversial. If this applies to the individual you have
selected, be sure to explain the controversy.
Providing examples of the artistàwork for the class to experience enhances your report. Example: If the
report is about a composer, it would enhance the report to play a little of the composeràmusic. A
report about a visual artist or architect would enhance the report to show examples of the individualÊwork. If a report is about a philosopher, some quotes from the philosopher would enhance the report.
The report must be organized to fit into a 3-minute time slot. Reports may not exceed 3 minutes.
Students who exceed 3 minutes will be cut off. Reports lasting less than 3 minutes will have points
deducted proportionately for not fulfilling the assignment. Make sure that your report covers the most
important things about the artistàwork. Avoid burning up your time on trivial items and running out of
time before presenting the most important items.
The student must utilize a power point or similar media presentation, the report must still fall within the
3-minute limit (not counting set-up time).
The student may speak using written notes, but may not read the presentation off of a cell phone or
similar device.
The student MUST pronounce the name of the artist correctly! Leeway is given for other difficult or
foreign words within a presentation, but the name of the artist MUST be pronounced correctly.
Bonus points will be given to students who do not merely report on an artist, but who actually
impersonate him or her.
TIPS
Practice your presentation ahead of time and time yourself to be sure that your presentation is neither
too long nor too short!!!!!
There is no written component to turn in for this assignment.

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