Created by Sydney King, South Brooklyn Community High School
Critical Lens Worksheet
Essay Outline
Introduction: (Paragraph 1)
1. Write the critical lens and the author.
Quote: ____________________________________________________________
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Author: ___________________________________________________________
2. What does the critical lens (quote) mean? (explain in your own words what you
think it means).
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3. Do you agree or disagree with the critical lens (quote)?
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4. List both works you will use to support your position. (Work #2 is required for a
chance at a grade above 79%)
Author of Work #1: William Shakespeare________________________________
Title of Work #1: “Romeo & Juliet”____________________________________
Author of Work #2: _________________________________________________
Title of Work #2: ___________________________________________________
5. Give your controlling idea (thesis). In other words, simply state how these two
works deal with the idea presented in the quote.
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Created by Sydney King, South Brooklyn Community High School
Paragraph 2: (if you are only using one work this should be two paragraphs)
1. Author of work #1: _____William Shakespeare___________________________
Title of work #1: _______“Romeo & Juliet”_____________________________
2. Tell how the critical lens (quote) relates to work #1. (Give specific examples from
the story)
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3. Use an example of a literary element from work #1 to prove your point dealing
with the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, conflict, point of view, mood,
theme, metaphor, characterization, irony, etc.
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4. Use another example of a literary element from work #1 to prove your point
dealing with the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, conflict, point of view,
mood, theme, metaphor, characterization, irony, etc.
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Created by Sydney King, South Brooklyn Community High School
Paragraph 3: (delete this part if you are only using one work)
1. Author of work #2: _______________________________________________
Title of work #2: ________________________________________________
2. Tell how the critical lens (quote) relates to work #2
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3. Use an example of a literary element from work #2 to prove your point
dealing with the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, point of view,
mood, theme, conflict, metaphor, characterization, irony, etc.
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4. Use another example of a literary element from work #2 to prove your point
dealing with the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, point of view,
mood, theme, conflict, metaphor, characterization, irony, etc.
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Created by Sydney King, South Brooklyn Community High School
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
1. Your conclusion should contain all the information that you included in
your introduction
 Restate the critical lens (quote). (Give your interpretation of it).
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
Summarize your arguments (include if you agreed or disagreed,
address both works).
o Work #1:
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o Work #2:
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2. Give your critical lens essay a fresh ending. (For example: a personal
insight, a quote that illustrates your argument, or a revelation or new idea
about the book or books).
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