The Critical/Analytical
Response to Text
The Craft of Writing an Essay – Part 1
PLANNING THE ESSAY
WRITING A THESIS STATEMENT
A Think Aloud Process
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Deciding on your thesis statement:
The first step to planning your essay
 The assumption is that you know your text inside out and
have developed your own ideas in relation to the text
 For a literary essay, you are asked to make a debatable
claim that demonstrates your insight on a specific topic
(essential question). Your claim should strike the reader as
an “aha” rather than a “duh” observation
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Critical Essay Question

Essay questions normally consist of an essential question
that can be related to a wide variety of texts. For
example:

With reference to the novel or film you studied in ELA
20-1, discuss the ideas developed by the text creator
regarding how individuals struggle to come to terms
with their sense identity?
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STEP ONE
Interpret the question (work the prompt)
 Underline the key thematic words - identity,
struggle, come to terms with
 develop your own interpretation:
– how do we determine what ‘identity’ is?
– how will you define/describe identity?
– what factors may cause a ‘struggle to come to
terms’ with identity?
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Now work interpretations to suit your
chosen text
 What do you think the author/director
suggests about various aspects of identity in
your chosen text?
– Who gives the character(s) their sense of
identity?
– What gives the character(s) their sense of
identity?
– What does the text say about identity?
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STEP TWO
Decide on a text and create the question
 Change the statement into a question (that you
can answer) related to a specific text of your
choice
How/Why/When (under what circumstances) do /
does (name character/s) struggle to come to
terms with their sense of identity in author’s
(name text)?
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STEP THREE
Brainstorm a subset of questions
 As you do so, think of possible answers. Let your
imagination roam over all possible questions:









How is a sense of identity compromised in the text?
Which character’s (or characters’) responses to this struggle intrigue me?
How does / do the character/s display their identity and does their sense of identity change
throughout the course of the text?
How does / do other character/s contribute to/reinforce the main character’s sense of identity?
Which character’s (or characters’) responses best demonstrate a struggle with their own sense of
identity?
What is the nature of the character’s (or characters’) struggle (internal/external)?
Who or what is holding them back from achieving a secure sense of identity?
How does the character (do the characters) of your choice attempt to create/come to terms with a
new sense of identity?
Is a secure sense of identity achieved in the end by the actions of your character(s) and if so how?
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STEP FOUR
Create your claim & blueprint your supporting arguments
 Look for a pattern (group your ideas) in your brainstorming that
leads to a potential claim
 Think of an argument/claim (that contains potential for debate)
 Create at least three supporting arguments that support your main
argument/claim
 Be specific – have specific incidents from the text to back up your
point
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STEP FIVE
Write your thesis
 A good thesis is not only a debatable claim, but also
suggests the structure of the paper. The thesis allows the
reader to imagine and anticipate the flow of the paper
 Your statement should:
– State the topic
– State your insight/interpretation/claim
– Refer the text if you have not already done so in your introductory
paragraph
– State specific character(s) involved
– Suggest a sequence of points that logically prove the essay's main
assertion
– Be expressed in the present tense
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FORMULA SENTENCE
(When in doubt, try this)
Think about it this way:
 By looking at ___, we see that ___ (unique insight) which is significant
because …
Write it this way:
 In (name of text), the author (name) develops the idea that …
Consider:
 whether your statement implies cause and effect (a ‘leads to’
statement), makes connections or comparisons (an ‘is’ statement) or
comments on a theme related to the prompt
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Examples of formula statements
Think about it this way:
 By looking at the way Jamal and Forrester change during the course
of the film, we see that individuals may hide their true identities from
the people around them and the outside world which is significant
because it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are
able to live fulfilling lives.
Write it this way:
 In the film Finding Forrester, the director, Gus Van Sant, develops the
ideathat individuals may hide their true identities from the people
around them and the outside world; however, it is only when they
reveal who they really are that they are able to live fulfilling lives.
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STEP SIX
Test your thesis against the 5-part MTS
(magic thesis statement) formula:
1.
Identify what you are looking at (aspect of identity in character/s)
2.
Identify the situation you can see / are describing
3.
State where that leads
4.
Point out the significance
5.
Be able to restate your thesis in other words – literally write a
sentence following your thesis that begins with “in other words”
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LAST STEP
Test your thesis (CSSMI) “Kiss me”
Clarity:
 Use straightforward language – avoid reference to philosophers/philosophies or anything esoteric
Specificity:
 Is your thesis it too vague? For example, the statement “Gus Van Sant’s characterization
demonstrates his incredible insight as a director" is too vague because your reader can't be sure
what you mean by "insight" or how it relates to "characterization"
Strength:
 Make sure you have at least three arguments (in mind) that support your thesis
 Make sure you have evidence for each argument
 Each argument should be the material for future body paragraphs
Manageability:
 Can you handle the topic within the time frame/space provided?
Interest:
 Does it state the obvious (“duh”)? If it's so obvious that nobody could fail to see it, it's probably
not worth writing about
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Identity in Finding Forrester : Level 3

Disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, Jamal Wallace, meets
eccentric, reclusive writer, William Forrester. Jamal is a gifted student and
writer, but he hides his talent from his peers in order to be accepted.
Likewise, Forrester is a prize-winning writer who wants no contact with the
outside world and lives a life of isolation in his small apartment. At some
level, both characters in the film Finding Forrester are denying their true
identities at the start of the film, and it is only when the two meet that they
are able to gradually break through the barriers that are holding them back
from assuming their true identities. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s
physical settings, costumes, and the motif of literature to explore this idea.
Good opening hook. Two main characters are introduced, and the notion that identity can be ‘hidden’ is set up briefly
to provide context. There is no interpretation or explanation given of identity. Blueprint needs clarification.
Expressions such as “Likewise” and “At some level” should be revisited. Where is the thesis statement?
How to change to a level 4 – see next slide.
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Identity in Finding Forrester : Level 4

Disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, Jamal Wallace, meets
eccentric, reclusive writer, William Forrester. In the film Finding Forrester, the
director, Gus Van Sant, develops the idea that that individuals may hide their
true identities from the people around them and the outside world;
however, it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able
to live fulfilling lives. Although Jamal is a gifted student and writer, he hides
his talent from his peers in order to be accepted. Likewise, Forrester is a
prize-winning writer who wants no contact with the outside world and lives
a life of isolation in his small apartment. At some level, both characters in the
film Finding Forrester are denying their true identities at the start of the film,
and it is only when the two meet that they are able to gradually break
through the barriers that are holding them back from assuming their true
identities. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s physical settings, costumes,
and the motif of literature to explore this idea.
Good opening hook. Two main characters are introduced, and the notion that identity can be ‘hidden’ is set up briefly
to provide context. There is no interpretation or explanation given of identity. Thesis statement included. Blueprint
needs clarification. Expressions such as “Likewise” and “At some level” should be revisited.
How to change to a level 5 – see next slide.
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Identity in Finding Forrester
Level 3 changed to a level 5 (+)

Race. Employment. Family and friends. These are all factors that contribute to an individual’s sense
of identity. However, the concept of identity is complex because an individual’s sense of identity is
not fixed and is constantly evolving as both external and internal circumstances change. In the
film Finding Forrester, director, Gus Van Sant, develops the idea that that individuals
may hide their true identities from the people around them and the outside world;
however, it is only when they reveal who they really are that they are able to live
fulfilling lives. In other words, in order to establish an authentic sense of self and to live a truly
successful life, it is necessary to overcome the fears and obstacles that may cause an individual to
hide vital factors that contribute to his identity. In Finding Forrester, Jamal Wallace, a
disadvantaged, basket-ball-playing, black teen, meets William Forrester, an eccentric, reclusive
writer, and the identities of both characters are gradually transformed. Because of cultural,
environmental, and self-imposed restrictions, both Jamal and Forrester hide their true identities,
Jamal conforming to stereotypical behaviour to achieve the acceptance of his peers, and Forrester
hiding from the outside world in the prison of his apartment. Neither character is living a fulfilling
life; however, when they both face their challenges and fears, they are able to reveal their true
identities and achieve their full potential. Director, Gus Van Sant, uses the film’s physical settings to
convey the limitations placed upon the characters by their environments, the motif of literature to
create a link between Jamal and Forrester, and clothing to depict Jamal’s and Forrester’s emerging
and new-found identities.

What is good about this introduction?
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