Name:
Critical Lens Essay Tips, Suggestions, and Practice
1. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS
Original Directions:
Write a critical essay in which you discuss two pieces of literature from the particular perspective of the
statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens. 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 appropriate literary elements from the two works. You may use scrap paper to plan your
response.
Directions broken up by step:
Write a critical essay in which you discuss two pieces of literature from the particular perspective of the
statement that is provided for you in the Critical Lens.
Step One: In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement,
Step Two: agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and
Step Three: support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the two works.
You may use scrap paper to plan your response.
2. USE THE GUIDELINES AS A CHECKLIST
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3.
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 the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the pieces of literature you choose
Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate 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
TAKE YOUR TIME
4. WRITE THE CRITICAL LENS FIRST
5. DO NOT USE PERSONAL PRONOUNS!
Sample Critical Lens Quotes
Directions: For each critical lens quote, complete the steps.
“In a dark time, the eye begins to see…” — Theodore Roethke
The Collected Poems of Theodore Roethke, 1966
1.
Interpretation:
2. Agree/Disagree Statement:
3. Two pieces of literature/authors that prove your interpretation:
4.
Two literary elements for each book that help prove your interpretation:
“Good people … are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.”
—William Saroyan as quoted in “Room for Hate—and Hope,” August 23, 1961
1. Interpretation:
2. Agree/Disagree Statement:
3. Two pieces of literature/authors that prove your interpretation:
4.
Two literary elements for each book that help prove your interpretation:
“The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.”— J.F. Clarke (adapted)
1. Interpretation:
2. Agree/Disagree Statement:
3. Two pieces of literature/authors that prove your interpretation:
4.
Two literary elements for each book that help prove your interpretation:
“All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a struggle between good and evil.”
1. Interpretation:
2. Agree/Disagree Statement:
3. Two pieces of literature/authors that prove your interpretation:
4.
Two literary elements for each book that help prove your interpretation: