The Critical Lens Essay
The Critical Lens Essay What is it? Why does it matter? How will I write one?
What is it? • The critical lens essay takes a look at literature and analyzes it based on a particular quote (lens).
Why does it matter? • It matters because you must write one your Junior year of English in order to pass the Regents exam! • It also is an important culmination of proving your mastery of literature and literary elements.
How will I write one? • The critical lens essay is a “formulaic essay” which simply means it follows a formula. • If you memorize the formula, you will succeed in writing the essay! • CIA (T) is a memory trick to remind you what to put in the introduction of your essay.
“C” • Copy the critical lens quote.
• Sample Quote:
David Mamet once said, "It is the human lot to try and fail.”
“I” - Interpret • • • •
Explain what you think the quote means. To do this accurately ask yourself: What is the major subject of the sentence? What is the author conveying about that subject? • Example: In other words, it is human fortune to try but inevitably fail.
“A” – Agree or Disagree • Tell whether you agree or disagree with the quote. • Example: This is a valid quote because there are forces at work that are beyond one’s control. For this reason, failure meets many, no matter how hard they try.
“T” - Thesis • Give your thesis which includes your two pieces of literature which you will rely on to prove the critical lens quote. • (So, what two books give good examples that match the quote?)
“T” – Thesis Example • Give the literature, genre, and author you have chosen, along with the literary elements you will be discussing. • Example: John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men and Hurst’s short story The Scarlet Ibis supports the critical lens quote through conflict and characterization.
Sample Introduction • David Mamet once said that, “It is the human lot to try and fail.” In other words, although humans try, it is our fortune to fail. This is a valid quote because there are forces at work that are beyond one’s control. For this reason, failure meets many, no matter how hard they try. John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men and Hurst’s short story “The Scarlet Ibis” supports the critical lens quote through conflict and characterization.
Sample body paragraph In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, both George and Lennie are defined by their undying hope and plan to “live off the fatta the lan,” even though there are forces working against them. They are characterized as loyal and hopeful friends who stay and work together to achieve their shared dream. Ultimately their loyalty, hope, and plans are spoiled by the intolerance shown by the men on the ranch. You could say that they are doomed from the start and their dream is destined to fail. This suggests that David Mamet is right. In the end, all their loyalty, hope and plans prove futile in the face of intolerance, hatred and prejudice. In Mamet’s words it is their “lot to fail.”
Sample Conclusion • There are forces that are truly beyond human control. In the case of Of Mice and Men, the characterization of George and Lennie proves that the most well intentioned men will ultimately fail. Of Mice and Men thereby, proves Mamet’s insight to be true.
Review! • Just remember, CIAT! • Choose the works of literature that you can best explain and that best fit the quote
• Don’t pick the same literary elements for both works – show that you know more than one! • Ex: Conflict, Characterization, irony, setting, foreshadowing, mood….
What should you NOT do with critical lens essays?
SUMMARIZE THE ENTIRE PLOT! LESS IS MORE -FOCUS ON THE LITERARY ELEMENTS
What is it? • The critical lens essay takes a look at literature and analyzes it based on a particular quote (lens).
Why does it matter? • It matters because you must write one your Junior year of English in order to pass the Regents exam! • It also is an important culmination of proving your mastery of literature and literary elements.
How will I write one? • The critical lens essay is a “formulaic essay” which simply means it follows a formula. • If you memorize the formula, you will succeed in writing the essay! • CIA (T) is a memory trick to remind you what to put in the introduction of your essay.
“C” • Copy the critical lens quote.
• Sample Quote:
David Mamet once said, "It is the human lot to try and fail.”
“I” - Interpret • • • •
Explain what you think the quote means. To do this accurately ask yourself: What is the major subject of the sentence? What is the author conveying about that subject? • Example: In other words, it is human fortune to try but inevitably fail.
“A” – Agree or Disagree • Tell whether you agree or disagree with the quote. • Example: This is a valid quote because there are forces at work that are beyond one’s control. For this reason, failure meets many, no matter how hard they try.
“T” - Thesis • Give your thesis which includes your two pieces of literature which you will rely on to prove the critical lens quote. • (So, what two books give good examples that match the quote?)
“T” – Thesis Example • Give the literature, genre, and author you have chosen, along with the literary elements you will be discussing. • Example: John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men and Hurst’s short story The Scarlet Ibis supports the critical lens quote through conflict and characterization.
Sample Introduction • David Mamet once said that, “It is the human lot to try and fail.” In other words, although humans try, it is our fortune to fail. This is a valid quote because there are forces at work that are beyond one’s control. For this reason, failure meets many, no matter how hard they try. John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men and Hurst’s short story “The Scarlet Ibis” supports the critical lens quote through conflict and characterization.
Sample body paragraph In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, both George and Lennie are defined by their undying hope and plan to “live off the fatta the lan,” even though there are forces working against them. They are characterized as loyal and hopeful friends who stay and work together to achieve their shared dream. Ultimately their loyalty, hope, and plans are spoiled by the intolerance shown by the men on the ranch. You could say that they are doomed from the start and their dream is destined to fail. This suggests that David Mamet is right. In the end, all their loyalty, hope and plans prove futile in the face of intolerance, hatred and prejudice. In Mamet’s words it is their “lot to fail.”
Sample Conclusion • There are forces that are truly beyond human control. In the case of Of Mice and Men, the characterization of George and Lennie proves that the most well intentioned men will ultimately fail. Of Mice and Men thereby, proves Mamet’s insight to be true.
Review! • Just remember, CIAT! • Choose the works of literature that you can best explain and that best fit the quote
• Don’t pick the same literary elements for both works – show that you know more than one! • Ex: Conflict, Characterization, irony, setting, foreshadowing, mood….
What should you NOT do with critical lens essays?
SUMMARIZE THE ENTIRE PLOT! LESS IS MORE -FOCUS ON THE LITERARY ELEMENTS
