Critical Lens. Kindred

Critical lens  in class on Kindred

How to Write a Task 4 Essay

By Sophie Levant, eHow Contributor

Write a Task 4 Essay

Task 4 in the English Regents Exam will ask you to write a critical lens essay. A critical lens essay is a variation on a compare and contrast paper in which one piece of writing is analyzed through points made in another, the "lens." As these can be challenging to write, a little preparation goes a long way.

Instructions

1. • 1
     You will be given a quote to read. This is the lens through which you will be evaluating two different pieces of literature. Study the lens carefully and take notes. Formulate your own interpretation of the passage and decide whether you agree or disagree with it.
   • 2
     Take the two pieces of literature you have chosen and assess their messages through the lens. Concentrate on any characters, viewpoints and other literary devices that prove your point.
   • 3
     Write the introductory paragraph of your essay. First, restate the lens quotation.
     
     
     WRITE A STRONG HOOK  SENTENCE!
     
     Next, indicate whether you agree or disagree with it and provide your own interpretation. At the end should come your thesis statement. Mention the two works you are going to be analyzing through the lens quotation and how they may or may not illustrate the point made by the lens.
   • 4
     Critical lens essays are generally written on a text-by-text basis. In the body, devote at least a paragraph to each work. Don't simply summarize the plot of each novel. Instead, focus on specific quotes, situations and characters that support your argument.
   • 5
     Restate your thesis in the conclusion and briefly sum up your paper.
     
     Your first sentence for the critical lens must be a HOOK sentence.  You may NOT write until after you have written the hook:

     "As _____________(the author) once wrote"  OR

     "According to ___________(the author)"

     FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT YOUR FIRST SENTENCE MUST ADDRESS THE SUBJECT OF THE QUOTE BY RESTATING IN WORDS.  BY DOING THIS YOU

     WILL BE ESSENTIALLY STATING WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH IT.

     You may not write "I agree" or "I disagree" with the critical lens.  Instead, try to write:

     Two words that show, illustrate, exemplify, etc. _____ (theme)  are _________________________ (title), a ______ (genre) by ________and _______________(title), a __________(genre) by __________.

     
     

     This is known as TAG:  Title, author, genre