Critical Lens Essay:  

An essay in which you will analyse one or two 
works of literature in terms of how they do/do not  
illustrate the ideas in a given statement.                                                                                                                                    ideas in a given statement.  

For example, the following paragraph is 
the introduction to an essay whose focus is the critical 
lens:  "Marry in haste, repent at leisure.¨  

SAMPLE:

	(1)What happens when people rush into things rather than 
thinking them through first?  William Shakespeare addresses this 
question in his play Romeo and Juliet when the friar says (2)"Marry 
in haste, repent at leisure¨ (3)Literally, the friar is talking 
about the danger of marrying too quickly, but the quote also warns in 
a more general way about the danger of acting in haste.  In other 
words, acting in haste, in any situation, could result in 
consequences that are both long term and negative. (4)The warning 
expressed in this quote is most definitely a valid concern, and is 
illustrated in many works of literature.  (5)Arguably one of the best 
depictions of persons acting in haste, and then suffering the 
consequences, is the source of the quote, Romeo and Juliet. Almost 
every character acts without thinking at some point in this tragedy, 
but the two whose haste results in the most profound consequences are 
the title characters, Juliet and Romeo.


You should be able to identify each of the parts of a  
good intro paragraph in the previous example

INTRO PARAGRAPH:  Must include the following

(1)Motivator - Question or statement which leads into the 
     CRITICAL LENS

(2)Critical Lens - WORD FOR WORD¡ You may need to add 
     some "connecting" words to make your ideas 
     flow smoothly together.  DO NOT just put the name of 
     the author of the quote in parentheses.

(3)Explanation  - "In other words..."  OR  "This means 
     that..." YOUR explanation of what the critical lens means

(4)Thesis  - Indicate whether you agree or disagree WITHOUT 
     SAYING "I agree" with the critical lens

(5)Blueprint - Specify what work(s) and/or literary device(s) you 
     will use to analyse the literary work selected.  
     List the most important LAST.

After the introduction, you must discuss how the author uses specific  
literary devices (character, setting, theme, irony, diction, imagery, 
conflict, etc,) which help to communicate the idea(s) expressed in 
the critical lens statement.

BODY PARAGRAPHS - Must include the following:

Topic Sentence - Transition, reference to critical lens, 
   reference to blueprint
Specific evidence from the text of the story; Must mention 
   specific literary devices
Thorough explanation as to HOW the evidence illustrates the ideas 
   in the critical lens
Concluding sentence which sums up the content


SAMPLE BODY PARAGRAPH:  

     First of all, the hasty decisions Juliet makes, and the actions 
that follow, have negative consequences for many characters in the 
play.  SPECIFIC EVIDENCE INCLUDED HERE - Clearly, Juliet's impulsive 
choices are a significant factor in the tragedy that befalls the 
people she loves.

	Compounding Juliet¡¦s actions, however, are the choices and 
actions of her beloved Romeo.  It is Romeo's rash decisions that, 
in the end, cause the deaths of so many characters. SPECIFIC 
EVIDENCE... Without a doubt, the things that Romeo says and does are 
ultimately what make the play a tragedy.


CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH must include:

Restatement of the critical lens
Minimum one sentence summary for EACH body paragraph
Clincher sentence that brings the discussion to a close

SAMPLE:

     Common sense tells us that it is unwise to get married in a 
hurry.  To make such a monumental decision without a great deal of 
thought is an extremely risky business. It clearly follows then, that 
any important act or choice is best made with deliberation and 
caution. Even the most simple acts might be complicated if they are 
committed in haste.  Life, as well as literature, bears out this 
truth. In Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET, the hasty actions of all of 
the characters create the initial difficulties.  But it is Juliet and 
Romeo whose decisions are the most significant.  Shakespeare 
characterizes both as impulsive and rash, relying on emotion and the 
heat of the moment rather than on widsom and common sense.  It is 
their passionate, blind behavior that causes the deaths of many, and 
ultimately illustrates this sad truth:  "Haste makes waste."