Critical Lens Essay
Critical Lens Essay
Choose one of the following quotes on which to base a critical lens essay. Write a four paragraph essay in which
you discuss Animal Farm. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the
statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to each text.
Quotes to Choose
“Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.” ~Eric Hoffer
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times
of challenge and controversy.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right using of strength….” -Henry Ward Beecher
“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be. -Thomas
Jefferson
“A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” ~George Bernard Shaw
"The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws." ~Tacitus
“The most dangerous untruths are truths slightly distorted.” ~George C. Lichenberg
“All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence
reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field.” ~Albert Einstein
Guidelines:
Be sure to
 Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens (Explain what it means)
 Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement
 Choose two works you have read this year that you believe best support your opinion
 Use specific references from each text to support your opinion
 Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary elements (for example:
theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis
 make connections whenever possible
 Organize your ideas using the attached outline
 Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose
 Follow the conventions of standard written English
Name ______________________________________
Date _____________
Critical Lens Essay
Writing Outline
Introduction Paragraph
1. Introduce/State quote ________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Interpret quote ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Agree/disagree with quote ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Thesis Statement (connect the text to quote):
Both (title of text #1) _________________________________by (author)_____________________________and_
(title of text #2) ______________________________________by (author)________________________________
support the idea that____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph One (6-8 sentences): Literary Element One with Examples and Evidence
1.Topic Sentence ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2.Transition statement/literary element:
One way (insert author)
_____________
_____________proves this point is through (insert
literary element)______________________________________________________________________________
3.Define literary element _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Connect quote and literary element (Explain examples from text #2 that support the quote using the literary
element.)
4. Evidence #1________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Explain/Connect #1__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Example #2 ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Explain/Connect #2__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
8.Concluding Sentence _________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph Two (6-8 sentences): Literary Element Two with Examples and Evidence
1.Topic Sentence ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2.Transition statement/literary element:
One way (insert author)
_____________
_____________proves this point is through (insert
literary element)______________________________________________________________________________
3.Define literary element _______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Connect quote and literary element (Explain examples from text #2 that support the quote using the literary
element.)
4. Evidence #1________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Explain/Connect #1__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Example #2 ________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Explain/Connect #2__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
8.Concluding Sentence _________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion Paragraph (2-3 sentences)
1. Restate quote _______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. “Echo” the thesis without simply repeating it (restate the texts used, the author, & elements)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3 . Include a detail or example from the introduction to “tie up the essay.”
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Name
______________________________________
Title of piece:
___________________________________________
Critical Lens Essay Writing Evaluation
Overall Development
_____ (1 points)
Organization, Support, & Content:
Introduction:
Interprets the Quote (quote is explained)
Agrees or disagrees with quote
Well-developed Thesis including 2 texts & authors
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
Body Paragraphs:
Includes well-written topic sentence
Explains how the text connects to quote
Gives 2 examples to support text to literary element
Defines the literary element used
Includes a well-written concluding sentence
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Conclusion:
Restates the thesis and sums up the main ideas
_____ (2 points)
Variety:
Overall varied beginning
Uses one appositive
Uses one infinitive at the beginning
Uses one gerund at the beginning
Uses one participle at the beginning
Transitions (at least 2 per body)
(2 points)
(2 points)
(2 points)
(2 points)
(2 points)
______ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
_____ (2 points)
Sentence Structure
_____ (2 points)
Mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, & correct use of quotations)
_____ (4 points)
Sophisticated Vocabulary
_____ (2 point)
Writing Process: (prewrite (brainstorm & outline, rough draft,
revision, editing, publishing)
_____ (5 points)
Total Points Earned
_____/44