Critical Lens Essay

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Critical Lens Essay
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What is this and why do I have to do this?

• The critical lens essay takes a look at
  literature and analyzes it based on a particular
  quote (lens).
• It is an important culmination of proving your
  mastery of literature and literary elements.
• It matters because you must write one your Junior
  year of English in order to pass the Regents
  exam!

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Introduction

• C- Copy the Critical Lens Quote (Duh!)
• I- Interpret the quote
• What does the quote mean in your own words.
  REMEMBER Do Not Use First Person!!!
• A-Agree/Disagree
• Identify the two works of literature that you are
  going to be discussing. Dont forget the authors!
  
• T- Thesis statement
• Identify the two literary elements that you will
  be using. Remember One for each piece of
  literature and do NOT use the same element for
  both works!

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Example

• Bernadette Devlin once said, To gain that which
  is worth having, it may be necessary to lose
  everything else. In other words, it is sometimes
  necessary to give up what we have in order to
  attain something greater. Two works of
  literature that illustrate the critical lens are
  Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Of Mice and
  Men by John Steinbeck. Through the use of
  conflict and characterization both authors show
  the validity of the critical lens.

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Body Paragraph 1

• FIVE STEPS
• Topic Sentence
• -The (genre) ________ shows ________.
• Transition Statement/Literary Element One way
  (author/work) proves this point is through
  (literary element 1)
• Example from the text
• Connect the Example and the Lens
• Concluding Sentence

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Body Paragraph 2

• FIVE STEPS
• Topic Sentence
• -The (genre) ________ shows that ________.
• Transition Statement/Literary Element One way
  (author/work) proves this point is through
  (literary element 2)
• Example from the text
• Connect the Example and the Lens
• Concluding Sentence

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Sample Body Paragraph

• The novel Fahrenheit 451 shows the protagonist
  sacrificing all of his worldly possessions to
  acquire knowledge. One way Bradbury proves this
  point is through the use of characterization. In
  the beginning of the novel, Montag, the
  protagonist, is characterized as a model member
  of society and as someone who loves his job.
  After meeting and befriending Clarisse, Montag
  starts to reevaluate his priorities and by the
  end can be characterized as someone who values
  knowledge and independent thought above all else.
  By Montag sacrificing his worldly possessions he
  gains a greater understanding of himself and the
  reality of his society. Bradburys use of
  characterization shows the sacrificing of one
  thing can lead to the attainment of something
  more valuable.

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Conclusion

• Restate and Agree/Disagree with the Quote
• -Bernadette Devlin correctly/incorrectly states
  To gain
• 2. Restate/Interpret
• -Restate the works of literature chosen and how
  they support your position
• 3. Concluding Sentence
• -This ties the main ideas of the essay back to
  the critical lens

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Sample Conclusion

• Bernadette Devlin correctly states To gain that
  which is worth having, it may be necessary to
  lose everything else. Bradburys Fahrenheit 451
  and Steinbecks Of Mice and Men show the
  necessity of sacrificing something of value in
  order to attain something even greater. Montags
  sacrifice of his family and position in society
  allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of his
  society and himself. Georges sacrifice in
  killing Lennie allowed George to gain his freedom
  and escape prosecution.