Critical Lens Essay Outline
Introduction:
 L lens (copy the quote)
o George Orwell once said “___________”
o According to…
o It has been said…
 D define (2-3) sentences
o Use the replacement method when necessary.
o This means that…
 A agree (without using “I”, it is always easier to AGREE)
o The quote is validated because…
o This is supported in the novel…
o This quote is true in the books_____and________because…
o Readers think this quote is true in the books_______and______
o This is illustrated in…
 S Source
o (one title, author and write 1-2 sentences about how that title supports
your interpretation of the lens (literary elements)
o (another title, author, and write 1-2 sentences about how that title supports
your interpretation of the lens (literary elements)
Body Paragraphs:
 Topic Sentence
o Write no more than two sentences of general summary. The point is not to
write a book report/summary. The point of the essay is proving the quote.
Always keep the quote in mind
o Example #1: Novel example and 1st literary element
o 2-3 sentences that explain the examples and how they relate to
the quote (literary element)
o
o Example #2 Novel example and 1st literary element
o 2-3 sentences that explain the examples and how they relate to the
quote (literary element)
o Example #3 Novel example and 1st literary element
o 2-3 sentences that explain the examples and how they relate to
the quote (literary element)
Conclusion:
 Step 1
o Restate the quote IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Do not copy the quote all
over again
 Step 2
o Summarize how the books proved the quote
 Step 3
o Tell what is learned from all this. By the time you get through an entire
essay, you should be able to now draw some conclusions about the topic
Introduction:

L lens (copy the quote)
According to Martin Luther King, Jr. “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.”

D define (2-3) sentences (Use the replacement method)
This means
that____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
 A agree (without using “I”, it is always easier to AGREE)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

S Source
o First source, and author
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
o Three literary sources you are going to use for your interpretation and
reasoning
1)_____________________________________________________________
2)_____________________________________________________________
3)_____________________________________________________________
o Second source, and author
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
o Three literary sources you are going to use for your interpretation and
reasoning
1)_____________________________________________________________
2)_____________________________________________________________
3)_____________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph Outline
Book____________________________________by___________________________
Topic Sentence (Write no more then two sentences of general summary)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
First literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Second literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Third literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Closing
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph Outline
Book____________________________________by___________________________
Topic Sentence (Write no more then two sentences of general summary)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
First literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Second literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Third literary element__________________________________
Definition of the
element_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
How the literary element is used in the novel and how it relates to the
quote.___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Closing
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Conclusion
Restate the quote in YOUR OWN WORDS
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Summarize how both books proved the quote
Book__________________________________by____________________________________
proves this
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Book________________________________by_________________________________
also proves this
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Wrap up your essay. Tell what is learned from all of this.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________