Outline Format

Topic: Edvard Munch’s painting, ‘The Scream.’

Purpose: Munch used this artwork as a way of reaching out about his struggles with his mental health. This painting was done in 1893; a time when people were sensitized to mental health and suffered in silence. Not only was this piece a cry for help from Munch, but also his way of granting permission for others to find identification within this piece.

Thesis Statement: Munch used stylistic choices and pathos to establish a common place about mental health.

Introduction:

Attention Strategy: How will you begin this presentation in a way that appropriately garners audience attention?

I will start by talking about mental health today and how our society has come to a renaissance of desensitization about mental health and we prioritize its importance. In 1893, the stigma around mental health was so different. I will compare the two and then transition into my thesis.

Orienting Material: Help audience understand what the topic is; contextualize

Preview: Give us a brief synopsis of what we can expect to hear from you—main points:

I will talk about why Munch used his painting as a cry for help during this time period and his specific alignment with the feelings of isolation and depression. Munch describes the person in this painting as feeling abnormal to society and he shows this by using stylistic choices: black and white, indications of self-harm, dark figures in the background and the importance of their positions. I will cover how art is a way for people to relate and the common places of mental health.