Final answer:
In a formal analysis, one might inspect design elements and principles in art such as line, color, and texture, or literary elements such as setting and language in texts, to understand how these influence the viewer's or reader's experience and interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Guidance for Performing a Formal Analysis
When conducting a formal analysis, there are several key elements to observe that can be applied whether analyzing visual art or literary works. These elements provide a framework for a detailed examination of the subject at hand.
Visual Art Analysis
In visual art, a formal analysis examines design elements like line, shape, space/perspective, texture, light, mass, and color. These are considered alongside principles such as balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity to understand how they affect the viewer's perception and interpretation of the artwork. For instance, a prominent linear form might suggest different qualities such as strength or grace, depending on its nature and orientation.
Literary Analysis
For literary texts, formal analysis centers around the examination of literary elements such as setting, imagery, characters, tone, form/structure, and language. An analysis might focus on how these elements contribute both individually and collectively to the text's overall meaning and effect on the reader. Factors such as pronoun use, verb tenses, and word order are further examples of what might be examined.
In both visual and literary analyses, the process is subjective and based on the analyst's point of view, informed by their knowledge and experience. However, research is typically not part of a formal analysis, emphasizing the personal interpretation of the artwork or text.