The Critical Lens Essay

Review

• A critical lens is similar to the lenses in a pair of glasses or the lens in a camera.

• Some lenses may alter or change how we view a particular object, item, etc.

• A critical lens shapes a point of view about how to evaluate literature.

The Task– Read the directions!

Every critical lens essay will include three

parts to the task:

1. To interpret Explain what you think the quote means.

2. To agree or disagree Explain why you think the quote is true or false.

3. To select two literary works for a discussion These works will support your position, or prove

why the quote is true or false.

General Understanding of a Body Paragraph

• Brief plot summary• Analysis of relevant literary terms (conflict,

setting, theme, foreshadowing, narrator, antagonist, protagonist, etc.)

• Super specific textual references that illustrate how the lens functions within the novel or play (at least 2 per text)

• Agreement or disagreement with lens statement• Organization and unification of ideas• Specify titles and authors• Follow the conventions of standard written English

Specific Understanding of a Body Paragraph

• To help you structure your body paragraphs, use the following approach:

EvidenceInterpretation

Claim

Claim

• States your position on the issue• Includes key words from the quote,

connecting them to the text• Your topic sentence; it informs your reader

what the rest of your paragraph will be about• Anchors your paragraph; it is what guides

your writing• The rest of your paragraph is dedicated to

proving that your claim true

Evidence

• The textual support for your claim• Includes examples, specific quotes, and references to

the text• You’ll typically be describing a scene• This is where you do provide brief plot summary• The more detailed the evidence, the better

Interpretation

• An explanation of how the evidence proves the claim• What does the evidence show the reader?• This is where you move beyond plot summary and into

analysis

The Conclusion

• Wrap up what you have been discussing in your paper• Your conclusion should begin pulling back into more

general information• Don’t try and pull in new points• Simplicity is best for a clear, convincing message