Writing the Introduction & Body Paragraphs
Write a multi-paragraph critical lens essay in which you discuss two works of literature
and write from the particular perspective of the statement that is provided for you in the
Critical Lens. Follow the guidelines given below. You may use scrap paper to plan your
response. Write your final draft in the essay book provided.
Critical Lens: “It is the responsibility of the writer to expose our many grievous faults
and failures and to hold up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams, for the purpose
of improvement.” ~ John Steinbeck
Be sure to:

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 meaning of the quote in the critical lens to address two works of literature

Create and defend a thesis.

Avoid giving plot summary. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary
elements (for example: theme, characterization, etc.) and/or literary techniques (irony,
symbolism, figurative language, etc.) to develop your analysis.

Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent essay

Use standard written English

Incorporate vocabulary you have learned this year into your written response.
R– Restate Critical Lens
E- Explain what the quote means/Interpret
X- eXamples of two works that support main
idea expressed in the quote
T- Thesis- Tell how do the works of literature
connect to the topic. Use characters’ names,
not titles, here.
* the topic will change based on the quote


Begin with, “(author’s name) once said,…”
Copy the quote exactly as it is presented to
you on the exam.
John Steinbeck once said, “It is the
responsibility of the writer to expose our
many grievous faults and failures and to hold
up to the light our dark and dangerous
dreams, for the purpose of improvement.”


Begin this sentence with one of the suggested
sentence starters.
Keep your interpretation, as well as the entire
essay, in the third person
In other words, Steinbeck believed that
literature can reveal the flaws in human
beings; once the flaws are known, they can be
corrected.


This is where you include the T.A.G. (title, author, genre) of
the two works and connect back to the quote’s main idea.
This sentence will also let your reader know if you agree or
disagree with the quote.
Both the drama Antigone by Sophocles and the novel The
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger support Steinbeck’s idea.
or
Both the drama Antigone by Sophocles and the novel The
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger support Steinbeck’s idea
that literature enables people to improve their own lives by
examining the flaws of characters.
Neither the drama Antigone by
Sophocles nor the novel The Catcher
in the Rye by J.D. Salinger support
Steinbeck’s idea that literature enables
people to improve their own lives by
examining the flaws of characters.



Use characters’ names, not titles, here.
The title you mention first in sentence 3 should
be the first work stated in your thesis as well as
the first work you will write about.
It is not “wrong” to identify literary elements in
your introduction, but there really is no need to.
If you choose to add literary elements:
Through their conflicts and characters, both texts
illustrate the worst traits of human beings. In the
ancient Greek drama, it is the actions of the
antagonist, Creon, that brings to light
humanity’s imperfections while for Holden
Caulfield, it is through the protagonist’s many
failures that mankind’s flaws are revealed.
John Steinbeck once said, “It is the responsibility
of the writer to expose our many grievous faults and
failures and to hold up to the light our dark and
dangerous dreams, for the purpose of improvement.”
In other words, Steinbeck believed that literature can
reveal the flaws in human beings; once the flaws are
known, they can be corrected. Both the drama
Antigone by Sophocles and the novel The Catcher in
the Rye by J.D. Salinger support Steinbeck’s idea that
literature enables people to improve their own lives by
examining the flaws of characters. In the ancient Greek
drama, it is the actions of the antagonist, Creon, that
brings to light humanity’s imperfections while for
Holden Caulfield, it is through the protagonist’s many
failures that mankind’s flaws are revealed.

In the ancient Greek
drama, it is the actions
of the antagonist,
Creon, that brings to
light humanity’s
imperfections.
Topic Sentence of Body
paragraph 1

Similar to King Creon,
it is through Holden
Caulfield’s many
failures that mankind’s
flaws are also revealed.
Topic Sentence of Body
paragraph 2
T= topic sentence (opening
sentence that addresses the
paragraph’s focus)
E= explanation that provides
more detail about the topic
sentence
X= examples (supporting
evidence for the
paragraph’s main idea)
A= analysis (details that
explain the examples/well
placed quote)
S= summary/clincher (closing
sentence that provides
thoughtful closure to the
paragraph)
The TEXAS format
Refer back to your thesis
statement
Introduce the literary elements
to be addressed
The best essays are going to
have more than one example
supported by specific, relevant
content details that defend those
examples. Be sure to address
literary elements in your
analysis!
(XAXA)
Insight vs. summary
Really thoughtful closure can
leave a positive impression on
your evaluator. Always refer
back to the critical lens.
Application
1.
Rephrase the main idea expressed in the critical lens. (Do this
in one or two sentences.) Use different word choices than those
used in your introduction. Try to also switch up the sentence
structure as well.
2.
Summarize how, through the use of X and Y literary elements,
BOTH your sources connect to the critical lens. (Do this in a
sentence for each body paragraph.)
Reveal a new insight into the topic you have gained as a result.
3.
Closure: Give your critical lens essay a fresh ending.
(For example: offer a personal insight, a thoughtful statement
for others to think about). Do this in one or two sentences.
(You may begin with, “In life…” or “Throughout history…”.)
Do not mention titles or characters in your closure.
“He who cannot change the fabric of his thought
will never be able to change reality, and will
never, therefore make any progress.”
Does Paul change his “fabric of thought”? How
do we know?
Does Holden change his “fabric of thought”? How
do we know?
Should address both characters specifically in
parallel structure
 should not contain titles, authors, or genres
 should not contain literary elements
 should be written as one sentence


A well crafted thesis provides clear direction for
you’re your topic sentences.
Example:
Because Paul is unable to change how he views
himself and the world around him, he commits
suicide; Holden, however, changes his way
negative attitude and is ultimately able to seek
professional help.
Split your thesis and reword your ideas and,
voila, a clear and focused topic sentence for each
body paragraph!
Think TEXAS format!
Your 3 examples are your three details:
 What is character x’s way of thinking? How
do we know?
 What ultimately becomes of the character?

It’s in this analysis that you show how the
literary elements reinforce the paragraph’s
main ideas