Art Theft: Most Famous Cases in History

While many people think of art theft as a relatively recent phenomenon, the crime of stealing artwork dates back centuries. We've compiled a list of some of the most notable art heists in history and how they were carried out. Hopefully this knowledge will help you avoid becoming a victim yourself!

3/18/16

This introductory paragraph should introduce the topic in an engaging and informative manner that will pique readers' interest while answering the "So what?" question.  The introduction is not meant to be an opening argument or to convince readers that they should read on. It is meant to catch the reader's attention long enough to make them want to read on. The purpose of an introduction is to get the reader digging into your topic and not necessarily to reach a point of closure. It's really a trade-off. To be effective, the introduction must achieve two things: (1) it will have to provide enough information so that readers know exactly what your essay is about, and (2) it will have to capture readers' attention so that they are compelled enough to continue reading on.

3/19/16

This paragraph should present a single idea in an organized manner and weave it with facts and details about the topic at hand. The body paragraphs are meant to present the evidence for why a thesis is true. It is not about presenting information in an entertaining way. It's meant to position each piece of evidence and explain how it supports the argument being made. Each body paragraph contains a single-focused "point" that supports the main idea of your paper. The point of each body paragraph should be clear and the relationship between the supporting point and the overall argument should be evident. The content must be presented in a logical order, with one idea following another in an easy-to-follow manner; avoid jumping from one topic to another without showing how they are related. Use transitions to tie ideas together in a logical manner and make sure each paragraph flows into the next one. Avoid going off on tangents, which will weaken the idea being expressed and detract from your argument.

3/20/16

This is an example of a thesis statement. It is clear, direct, and expresses one main idea. The thesis statement acts as an umbrella that covers the organization of the essay itself. In most cases, you'll want to write your thesis statement last because once you know what you're going to argue (through research and outlining), it will be much easier for you to put into words. Your thesis statement is a short, strong, declarative sentence that introduces your argument. It should be clear and direct at first glance yet concise and precise when fully fleshed out in detail. It should express one main point and the relationship between what you are arguing and what you are arguing for. Thesis statements are important because they act as hooks that draw readers into the argument while keeping them engaged at the same time.

3/21/16

This paragraph provides a detailed summary of how a thief broke into the museum at night, stole two paintings from their frames, and then escaped with them by car in toto.