The Critical Lens Essay
(One of the writing tasks on the Comprehensive English Regents Exam)
What is it?
An essay that interprets a quotation (critical lens)
and applies it to two works of literature, making
reference to specific details and literary elements
from those works of literature
Planning the Critical Lens Essay
 Interpret the Critical Lens (the quotation) - break it down into key words
and phrases, then put it IN YOUR OWN WORDS, not using the words of
the quotation
 Choose two works of literature to which the Critical Lens applies
 Outline the body paragraphs:
1) List at least two details from each work (textual evidence)
that support your interpretation of the Critical Lens
2) Connect those details to the literary elements they reflect
Format of the Critical Lens Essay
One effective format for critical lens essay is four paragraphs:
Introduction – Use REACT
Body Paragraph #1 – First work of literature to be discussed
Body Paragraph #2 – Second work of literature to be discussed
Conclusion
The Introduction of the Critical Lens Essay
Follow the basic idea of general to specific you use for all literature essay
introductions, and remember the acronym REACT:
Restate the critical lens (Abraham Lincoln once said, “….”) - your grabber
Explain the critical lens (interpret it in your own words)
Agree OR disagree with the lens as interpreted (this statement is true/not true)
Connect to literature in general; then TAG and overviews
Thesis statement
The thesis statement of the Critical Lens Essay
The thesis statement needs to include the authors’ names, the literary
elements to be discussed, and an application of your interpretation of the
Critical Lens.
Following is one way to structure the Critical Lens Essay thesis statement:
Through __________________ , _______and_______ show/illustrate/demonstrate
(literary elements)
(author names)
_________________________________________________________.
(application of your interpretation of the Critical Lens)
Body paragraphs of the Critical Lens Essay
An effective way to structure the essay is to use one body paragraph for each
work of literature. Review the guidelines for the formatted paragraph; for
this essay, you will use specific details but NOT direct quotations.
TS:
The part of the thesis statement that applies to this work of literature,
but worded a bit differently
CDs: Relevant and specific details that support your interpretation of the
Critical Lens
CMs: Connect of detail to literary element; explanation of how the
detail supports your interpretation of the Critical Lens
CS: Commentary that sums up the paragraph but does not repeat TS
The Conclusion of the Critical Lens Essay
Follow the basic idea of specific to general you use for all literature essay
conclusions, with the guidelines below:
TS: Thesis statement stated IN DIFFERENT WORDS
- Sum up the main points of the essay, comparing and contrasting how
the interpretation of the Critical Lens applies to each of the works
- Work from specific to general, moving from a discussion of literature to
world connections
CS: End with a general, thought-provoking CLINCHER that DOES NOT
mention the works of literature or literature in general
Happy writing!