Name________________________ Date__________________ Period_____________ Critical Lens Essay Checklist Directions: Be sure to circle what you have completed. Go back to the essay to revise and improve on any area whereby you circled “no.” Introduction 1. Begin by rewriting the critical lens statement? Yes No 2. Include an explanation of the critical lens statement? Yes No 3. Do you clearly imply whether or not you agree or disagree with the critical lens statement? Yes No 4. Did you mention the titles and authors of the literary works? Yes No 5. Did you underline the title of a novel and “quote” the title of a short story? Yes No 6. Did you include a thesis statement that connects the two works specifically in relation to the lens? Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No a. directly prove the topic sentence (not a plot summary)? Yes No Body Paragraph(s) 1 (Literary Work #1) 1. Do you begin with a topic sentence that a. connects and is more specific than the thesis statement? b. clearly introduces the main idea of the paragraph? c. uses the diction of the critical lens quotation to establish appropriate focus? 2. Includes supporting details that b. make explicit reference to at least three significant literary elements and explain how they influence the theme/connection to critical lens? Yes No c. flow with the use of transitions? Yes No 3. Did you conclude the body paragraph with a clincher statement that refers back to the critical lens, brings closure to the paragraph, and leads into the next? Yes No a. connects and is more specific than the thesis statement? Yes No b. clearly introduces the main idea of the paragraph? Yes No c. uses the diction of the critical lens quotation to establish appropriate focus? Yes No d. includes a transitional word? Yes No a. directly prove the topic sentence (not a plot summary)? Yes No b. make explicit reference to at least three significant literary elements and explain how they influence the theme/connection to critical lens? Yes No Yes No Yes No 1. Do you begin with a restatement of the thesis? Yes No 2. Did you summarize the main points of the body paragraphs through a sophisticated comparison/ contrast of the texts? Yes No 3. Do you close with an interesting and opinionated thought that connects to real life and explains “why does it matter?” Yes No Body Paragraph(s) 2 (Literary Work #2) 1. Do you begin with a topic sentence that 2. Includes supporting details that c. flow with the use of transitions? 3. Did you conclude the body paragraph with a clincher statement that refers back to the critical lens, brings closure to the paragraph, and leads into the next? Conclusion