Name: ________________________________________
Critical Lens Rubric
de Venoge – 8th Grade ELA
E
Outstanding
Displays deep
understanding of
whole texts;
makes
perceptive
connections
A
B
Commendable
Good
Displays
Displays good
strong
understanding
understanding of whole texts
of whole texts
C
Acceptable
Displays some
basic
understanding
of portions of
texts or texts
as a whole
D
Limited
Displays literal
or superficial
understanding
of portions of
texts or texts
as a whole
Literary
Analysis and
Use of
Literary
Elements
Provides original
and intuitive
interpretation of
quote in
connection with
texts; deep
knowledge of
varied literary
elements
displayed
Provides
original
interpretation
of quote in
connection
with texts;
commendable
knowledge of
varied literary
elements/textu
al examples
displayed
Provides
original
interpretation
of quote in
connection
with texts;
good
knowledge of
varied literary
elements/text
ual examples
displayed
Provides a
confused
interpretation
of quote in
connection
with texts;
limited
knowledge of
literary
elements/text
ual examples
displayed
Purpose &
Organization
Presents sturdy,
sufficient
elaboration and
commentary for
each example;
employs
attentiongrabbing
opening;
presents
coherent thesis
and points in
logical order,
smoothly
connecting them
to overall focus;
follows critical
lens structure
Presents
sufficient
elaboration for
each example;
attempts an
attentiongrabbing
opening;
presents
thesis and
points in
logical order
and connects
them to
overall focus;
follows critical
lens structure
Presents little
or no
elaboration for
each example;
presents no
opening
device or
thesis;
presents
information in
a scattered,
disorganized
manner; does
not follow
critical lens
structure
Presents no
elaboration or
commentary;
points are
unsupported and
do not follow any
logic; presents no
clear structure or
organization;
does not follow
critical lens
structure
Use of
Language
Shows
outstanding
clarity and
fluency; uses
appropriate and
varied
vocabulary;
makes almost no
mechanical
errors
Presents
strong,
sufficient
elaboration for
each example;
employs
attentiongrabbing
opening;
presents
coherent thesis
and points in
logical order,
smoothly
connecting
them to overall
focus; follows
critical lens
structure
Shows overall
clarity and
fluency; uses
precise and
evaluative
words; makes
few mechanical
errors
Provides a
somewhat
original
interpretation
of quote in
connection
with texts;
acceptable
knowledge of
varied literary
elements/text
ual examples
displayed
Presents some
elaboration for
each example;
opening is
confusing or
inadequate;
presents
confusing
thesis;
organizes
points poorly
in places;
connects some
points to an
overall focus;
follows critical
lens structure
Uses awkward
or overly
simple
sentence
structures and
vague terms;
makes many
mechanical
errors; limited
vocabulary
Presents
incomplete
thoughts
and/or runons;
mechanical
errors that
create
confusion;
limited
vocabulary
Presents rampant
mechanical errors
that seriously
prevent the
communication of
any ideas; limited
vocabulary
Comprehensi
on of Texts
Shows good
sentence
variety; uses
connecting
words; makes
some
mechanical
errors
F
Failing
Displays limited
understanding
and/or serious
misunderstandin
g of portions of
texts or texts as a
whole
Provides an
interpretation of
the quote that
does not connect
to the texts; does
not use literary
elements/textual
examples to
support
interpretation of
quote
The Critical Lens Essay
The Critical Lens essay is a particular form of essay writing that you will most likely complete in high
school. While the name of the essay may sound fancy or difficult to complete, it in fact is rather simple and not
unlike the kind of writing you do all the time.
Very simply, your job is to interpret a given quote and state your opinion on it: put the quote in your own
words and then either agree or disagree with its meaning. The quote you will use is, “Evil often triumphs but never
conquers” – Anonymous. Your interpretation of this quote and your position on it (agreeing or disagreeing with it)
will make up the introduction paragraph. As always, the introduction paragraph also contains your thesis
statement which will connect the quote with two works of literature you will use to support your agreement or
disagreement of the quote. The two works of literature you must use are Night by Elie Wiesel and The Diary of a
Young Girl by Anne Frank.
The body paragraphs are where you will use specific details/examples/quotes from both works of
literature to fully support your argument, as stated in the thesis statement. A true critical lens essay also requires
you to use literary elements present in both works. An easy way of doing this is using key words that refer to
literary elements such as setting, characterization, conflict, figurative language, flashback, foreshadowing, imagery,
irony, theme, etc.
In the conclusion you will tie up loose ends and re-state, though in a new way, your opinion on the quote
with reference to both literary works. Your conclusion could be just a couple of sentences but should end with a
‘gift’ for the reader: something that leaves the reader thinking and reflecting on what you have written. If you
follow the format I have outlined above, your essay will be a total of 4 paragraphs: Introduction (quote,
interpretation, opinion, thesis), Body paragraph 1 (first literary work), Body paragraph 2 (second literary work),
and the Conclusion.
Overall, be sure to follow these basic guidelines, which are of course aligned with the rubric:
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Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for analysis
Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it
Use Night and The Diary of a Young Girl to support your opinion of the quote
Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens/quote to analyze the work you have chosen
Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate examples and literary elements (for
example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis
Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner
Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose
Follow the conventions of standard written English
Intro: On this page, write the first paragraph of a [modified] critical lens essay. Be sure to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduce/State the quote
Interpret the quote
Agree or disagree with the quote
Thesis
Step 1: State the quote
Step 2: Interpret the quote
“This quote means…
Step 4: Write thesis statement
Step 3: Agree or disagree with the quote
Body Paragraph 1
• Identify one book and author that relates to the quote
• Discuss how the book relates to the quote by using (2) literary elements or textual examples and accompanying
explanations and examples from the book:
• Literary element/textual example 1
• Literary element/textual example 2
Body Paragraph 2
• Identify one book and author that relates to the quote
• Discuss how the book relates to the quote by using (2) literary elements or textual examples and accompanying
explanations and examples from the book:
• Literary element/textual example 1
• Literary element/textual example 2
Conclusion
• Explain what the quote means and why it is meaningful or true – why you agree or disagree
• Restate the authors and books used and tell how they both relate and illustrate the meaning of the quote –
concluding thought