How to Write a Great Critical Lens Essay

• 1   Read, Think, Plan

Understand the critical lens quote. This quote is an assigned sentence from a literary reference that causes controversy and division of opinion. Read and reread the quote to get the full meaning or any hidden implication. Try to be as original as possible in your analysis when you form an opinion about the quote. Decide whether you agree or disagree.

•  2  Write the INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE/S (HOOK)

Rewrite the critical lens quote in YOUR OWN WORDS. This is usually required after writing the quote word-for-word in the first paragraph of the essay, but it also provides a clear understanding and breakdown of what the quote is trying to communicate, according to your perspective.  Express the meaning of the quote and your thesis first!  Then refer to the actual quote.

•   Add two works to the intro and tell why they support or refute the quote.

Pick two works of classic literature that will build a strong foundation and support your opinion. These should be works that you have read and are extremely familiar with. Essentially, these books will make your point valid by extracting relevant quotes and scenarios.  By choosing the two works of literature, you are essentially supporting or disagreeing with the quote and do not have to spell it out (remember: quotes are not "agreeable"; people can be at times). 

Be sure to show how these works support or refute the quote by making a concise statement about how they specifically relate to the quote.

• 3  BODY PARAGRAPHS

Write each paragraph with the "point + support" formula. Give your opinion or point followed by quotes from one of the two works of literature. Each paragraph should be written to persuade the reader to agreeing with your point of view; to accomplish this, readers will have to have concrete evidence the two works of literature will provide.  DO NOT RELY ON PLOT SUMMARY. USE LITERARY TERMS TO SUPPORT YOUR DISCUSSION OF THE CRITICAL LENS, NOT AS THE MAIN FOCUS!

• 4  CONCLUSION

End by summarizing your argument and restating the critical lens quote. Giving the most substantial evidence in the last paragraph will leave the reader with something to think about.