Sculpture being a form of art is created by the shaping of plastic or hard material such as wood, metal or stone being either rock or marble. Sculptures are made using various techniques such as carving, assembling, welding, molding, and casting or by the utilization of fire. Sculpture is an artistic endeavor for the purpose of aesthetics. Sculpture is considered as a plastic art because it incorporates molding of materials. A collection of sculptures in a particular garden setting is commonly denoted as a sculpture garden. Sculpture is a major public art when compared to other forms of art.

Sculptors have mainly sought to generate the most permanent works of art that are durable and often expensive such as bronze, granite, porphyry, limestone and marble. Similarly, the chryselephantine works include the use of jade, ivory, gold and silver. However, less expensive material are also used such as ceramics, hardwood, and terra cotta as well as cast metals like zinc and pewter. The use of acrylics and plastics became popular in 1960s as sculptor material. Short-lived sculptures include gas sculptures, ice sculptures and sand sculptures. Sculpture term and research papers tend to focus upon the many types of artistic endeavors using different materials and their probable durability and popularity amongst other factors.

Sculpture term and research papers are significantly written in the MLA style as it is a form of art. However, this writing style may vary depending upon the word limit specifications of the term or research paper.