Description of Assignment:

Choose an object you have seen during one of our museum visits or have read about in class and write 800 words explaining what the object can tell us about the history of medicine.

You are going to write about: The Royal Hospital Museum in London.

A successful object lesson is a close examination of a historical object which results in a detailed written work informing the reader about its importance. It contains the following aspects:

1. A detailed description of its purpose

2. Historical information about its design

3. How it was used and by whom

4. The historical significance of the object

5. An explanation of how it represents the social and cultural environment of the time.

An object can be a medical instrument, a historical document, a film, a piece of art, or a decorative ornament.

Grading Criteria (what constitutes a good assignment?):

In assessing the object lesson Katherine will be looking for:

a) A clear image of the object provided alongside the written work

b) A description of its purpose and how it was used and by whom

c) Accurate historical information about its design and appearance

d) A clear effort to situate it in its time with detailed references to the social and cultural environment of the time

e) Adherence to the word count

f) Clarity of expression and writing style

g) Clear and consistent presentation