Name:
Writing the Critical Lens Essay
First Paragraph: The Introduction:
1.
State the Quote: Begin by writing the quote’s author/speaker, followed by the critical lens (quote) you have chosen
(choose only one). If you know the occupation or role of author/speaker, you could include that in the first statement:
(Example) Barbara W. Tuchman, an American historian and author, once said, “Books are humanity in print.”
2.
Analyze the Quote: Next, restate the critical lens quotation in your own words: This means that… The sentiment
expressed by Tuchman means…
3.
Vote: State whether you agree or disagree with the critical lens: What Tuchman is saying about books is true
because…
4.
Example/Evidence: Now you are ready to introduce the literature you will be discussing to support your agreement
or disagreement with the lens. To do this, you must state the TAG line (Title, Author, Genre) of both works, and attach
your thesis (thesis = the argument you will be defending with this essay) to the TAG line: (Example) Both the novel,
The Pearl, by John Steinbeck, and the short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” by O. Henry, support/refute the idea that
(here you would restate your interpretation of the quote)…
Second Paragraph: Body 1:
1. The topic sentence (first sentence) of this paragraph should reflect the critical lens. In other words, tell how the critical
lens is supported by the work of literature you will discuss. Give specific examples from the story, but do not
summarize the story or elaborate on examples yet.
2. Follow the topic sentence with an example from the story that shows that the ideas presented in the quote are true or
untrue. Be sure to mention one literary term, at least, in your example. (For example: setting, conflict, point-of-view,
mood, theme, metaphor, characterization, etc.)
3. Be sure to explain why/how the example you provided above supports your thesis (that the ideas presented in the quote
are true or untrue).
4. Provide another example from the book you chose to discuss that shows the validity or invalidity of the quote. Be sure
to mention another, different literary device when discussing this second example. In other words, repeat the last two
steps and mention a different literary term.
5. End your paragraph with a clincher: a clincher is a sentence or two that leaves the reader with a final thought. It's your
last chance to get the reader's attention or convince them to see your point-of-view. Here you should remind your
reader of the quote and your thesis (that it is true or untrue.)
Third Paragraph: Body 2:
1. Again you are writing a topic sentence that reflects the critical lens, but now you are also including a transitional
statement, which is a statement containing a connecting idea that smoothly and clearly demonstrates a logical order to
your ideas.(Another example that shows… OR Not only does… demonstrate... but also…)
2. Follow the topic sentence with an example from the story that shows that the ideas presented in the quote are true or
untrue. Be sure to mention one literary term, at least, in your example. (For example: setting, conflict, point-of-view,
mood, theme, metaphor, characterization, etc.)
3. Be sure to explain why/how the example you provided above supports your thesis (that the ideas presented in the quote
are true or untrue).
4. Use another literary example of a literary device from the work to support your thesis. In other words, repeat the last
two steps and mention a different literary term.
5. End your paragraph with a clincher: a clincher is a sentence or two that leaves the reader with a final thought. It's your
last chance to get the reader's attention or convince them to see your point-of-view. Remember to, once again, restate
your thesis, in slightly different words.
Fourth Paragraph: The Conclusion:
1. Your conclusion should contain all the information that you included in your introduction.
a. Restate the critical lens, and your interpretation of it: (Try to rephrase your interpretation, but don’t change the
meaning)
b. Summarize the main points of your arguments (include if you agreed or disagreed, mention both works of
literature).
c.
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 two works of literature. You may also want to give your
reader advice that somehow relates to the ideas expressed in the quote.