US History Chicago Architecture Essay
Your essay
need not be limited to the following, but most of the following questions must
be addressed.
Key
idea/thesis: How does this building represent its time period?
Part #1 INTRODUCTION
Remember that your introduction
must orient the audience. To do that,
your intro will:
- Introduce the buildings name What is significant about the
name?
- Where
it is located, what’s its height, when was it made,
- Who
created it?
- State
one or two basic descriptive facts about it.
- State what YOUR
focus of the interpretation and significance in history will be
◦
Remember the key idea should be: How does this
building represent its time period?
Part #2 LOCATION Start with a topic sentence.
- How would you describe the characteristics of the
city or town where this building stands?
- Is the street in front busy and noisy or is it
quiet?
- Does the building sit close to the street or is
it set back?
- What is located on either side of the
building? Are any structures
attached to the building or does it stand by itself?
- Does the building site have any trees, grass, or
other landscaping?
- How does this building relate to the other
buildings around it?
- What about the history of Chicago might have
influenced the location?
Part #3 STYLE AND MATERIALS Start with a topic sentence.
- Full description of what you see on the building.
- What is the color(s) of the building? Do they contribute to the building or
make it distinct from surrounding buildings? What feeling does the colors
of the building convey?
- What
styles of architecture is this?
- How is it different and similar to other pieces
of architecture made in the same style?
- What else was happening in the world, the
country, or the city when this building was constructed? How did this affect the building’s
design?
- Does the building have any special ornamentation
or details? How do these details
contribute to the character of the building?
- Does the roof and features of the roof like the
slope contribute to the character of the building?
- Are there parts of the building that make it
unique because they project from the walls of the building? (balconies, porches, cornices, windows).
- Is there a rhythm or pattern to the arrangement
of the windows?
- How might the shape and features speak to the
time period that it was built in?
Part #4 FUNCTION in
the past and today
- What was the purpose of this building?
- If you were able to enter the building how is it
decorated? Does the ornamentation
and decoration demonstrate its function?
- Is the main entrance to the building marked in a
special way? How?
- Does the design of the building make it easier to
use?
- What was the economy like during its construction? How did that impact the building and its
design?
- What is the purpose of the building now? Who uses
the building now?
- What have been the different uses of this building
in the past?
Part #5 CONCLUSION
·
Conclude your main points in a short paragraph that
ends with insightful comments.
·
Restate how this building represents its time period
in its Location, Materials, and Function
