critical lens in an essay

How to Write a Critical Lens Essay Successfully Step by Step

Critical lens essay writing is a type of literary analysis where the writer is required to analyze and interpret a specific piece of literature or a quote. The essay typically involves discussing the meaning of the quote and how it relates to two literary works. The author is expected to use literary elements and techniques to support their interpretation and provide evidence from the texts.

The term "critical lense" refers to the perspective or lenses through which the scribe views and analyzes the literature. It often involves exploring the cultural, historical, or philosophical context of the works being analyzed. The goal is to demonstrate a deep understanding of the literature and present a well-argued interpretation.

In this guide, we’ll explore such crucial aspects of how to write critical lens essay, its definition, format, and samples. Just in case you’re in a big hurry, here’s a link to our essay writer service that can help you cope with a task at hand quickly and effortlessly.  

What Is a Critical Lens Essay and How to Write It

A critical lens analysis is a form of literary exploration that challenges students to interpret and analyze a specific quote, known as the "lens," and apply it to two pieces of literature. This type of composition aims to assess a student's understanding of literary elements, themes, and the broader implications of the chosen quote. Effectively producing a research paper involves several key steps, each contributing to a comprehensive and insightful analysis. 

The critical lens meaning is to provide a unique perspective into the complexities of literature. It goes beyond mere summarization, urging students to explore the layers of meaning embedded within the chosen quote and its application to literary works. Unveiling the assignment's meaning requires a keen eye for nuance and an appreciation for the intricate dance between language and interpretation.

Knowing how to write a lens essay involves mastering the art of interpretation. As students embark on this literary journey, the process of achieving this task becomes integral. It demands an exploration of the chosen quote's implications, an in-depth analysis of its resonance with the selected literature, and a thoughtful synthesis of ideas. A step-by-step approach is crucial, from deciphering the meaning to meticulously weaving insights into a cohesive and compelling narrative.

A lens analysis is more than a scholarly exercise; it's a nuanced exploration of the intersections between literature and life. It prompts students to unravel the layers of meaning embedded within the viewpoint, dissecting its implications for characters, themes, and overarching narratives. This analytical journey not only refines academic skills but also cultivates a deeper appreciation for the profound impact literature can have on our understanding of the human experience.

Step-by-Step Writing Guide

In this guide, we will explore the assignment’s prerequisites and outline five steps to help students understand how to write a critical lens essay.

STEP 1 - Understand the Critical Lens Quote

The journey of crafting a compelling draft begins with a deep understanding of the chosen quote or viewpoint. This quote typically embodies a philosophical or thematic idea that serves as a foundation for analyzing the selected literary works. Students should dissect the quote, exploring its nuances, underlying meanings, and potential applications to literature.

STEP 2 - Select Appropriate Literary Works

Once the sources are comprehended, the next step is to select two literary works that can be effectively analyzed through this framework. Choosing appropriate texts is crucial, as they should offer rich content and thematic depth, allowing for a comprehensive exploration. Students must consider how the texts align with and diverge from the central ideas presented in the quote.

STEP 3 - Interpret the Chosen Texts

With the literary works in hand, students embark on a close reading and analysis of the selected texts. This involves identifying key themes, characters, literary devices, and narrative elements within each work. The goal is to understand how each text relates to the material and to uncover the deeper meanings encapsulated in the literature.

STEP 4 - Write a Thesis Statement for Your Critical Lens Essay

The thesis statement is the compass guiding the entire document. It should succinctly capture the composer’s interpretation of the original source and how it applies to the chosen texts. A well-crafted thesis statement not only outlines the focus of the essay but also provides a roadmap for the subsequent analysis, showcasing the author’s unique perspective.

STEP 5 - Structure the Essay Effectively

The final step involves organizing the tract into a coherent and persuasive structure. A well-structured article typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In the introduction, students present their interpretation, introduce the chosen texts, and offer a clear thesis statement. Body paragraphs delve into specific aspects of lenses and their application to each text, supported by relevant evidence and analysis. The conclusion synthesizes the key findings, reinforces the thesis, and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

A successful article requires a meticulous approach to interpreting the quote, selecting appropriate literary works, closely analyzing the texts, crafting a robust thesis statement, and structuring the document effectively. By following these five key steps, students can develop a well-rounded and insightful article that not only demonstrates their understanding of literature but also showcases their ability to apply analytical thinking skills to literary analysis. Should you find the process challenging, simply contact us and say, ‘ Write an essay for me ,’ so we can find you a perfect writer for the job.

Critical Lens Essay Outline

Creating a comprehensive lens essay outline is an essential preparatory step that helps students organize their thoughts and ensures a well-structured effort. Below is a suggested outline, dividing the task into logical sections:

Introduction:

• Hook: Begin with a captivating hook or quote to engage the reader.
• Quote: Introduce the chosen quote, providing context and potential interpretations.
• Interpretation: Offer your initial interpretation and its implications.
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state your thesis, outlining how the document applies to the chosen literary works.

Body Paragraphs:

Paragraph 1: First Literary Work

• Brief Overview: Provide a concise summary of the first literary work.
• Connection to Critical Lens: Analyze how it applies to this text.
• Evidence: Incorporate relevant quotes or examples from the text to support your analysis.
• Interpretation: Discuss the deeper meanings revealed through the analysis.

Paragraph 2: Second Literary Work

• Brief Overview: Summarize the second literary work.
• Connection to Critical Lens: Examine how it is reflected in this text.
• Evidence: Include specific quotes or instances from the text to bolster your analysis.
• Interpretation: Explore the profound implications illuminated by the material.

Paragraph 3: Comparative Analysis

• Common Themes: Identify shared themes or patterns between the two works.
• Differences: Highlight key differences and divergent interpretations.
• Unity: Emphasize how both work collectively to reinforce the analysis.
• Counterargument.

Conclusion:

• Recapitulation: Summarize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Thesis Restatement: Reiterate your thesis in a compelling manner.
• Concluding Thoughts: Offer final reflections on the broader implications of your analysis.

By adhering to this outline, students can systematically approach their essays, ensuring a coherent and well-supported exploration of the chosen perspective and literary works. The outline serves as a roadmap, guiding the author through each essential element and facilitating a more organized and impactful final product. You will also benefit from learning how to write a character analysis essay because this guide also offers a lot of useful tips.

Introduction

The introduction plays a pivotal role in capturing the reader's attention and establishing the foundation for the ensuing analysis. Begin with a compelling hook or a thought-provoking quote that relates to the chosen perspective. Following the hook, introduce the quote itself, providing the necessary context and initial interpretations. This is also the space to present the thesis statement, succinctly outlining how the outlook applies to the literary works under examination. The thesis should offer a roadmap for the reader, indicating the key themes or ideas that will be explored in the body paragraphs.

The main body paragraphs constitute the heart of the article, where the essayist delves into a detailed analysis of the chosen literary works through the framework provided. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific literary work, providing a brief overview, connecting it to the perspective, presenting evidence from the text, and offering interpretations. Use clear topic sentences to guide the reader through each paragraph's main idea. Strive for a balance between summarizing the text and analyzing how it aligns with the outlook. If applicable, include a comparative analysis paragraph that explores common themes or differences between the two works. This section requires a careful integration of textual evidence and insightful commentary. Keep in mind that learning the ins and outs of a literary analysis essay might also help you improve your overall written skills, so check it out, too!

The conclusion serves as a synthesis of the analysis, offering a concise recapitulation of the main points explored in the body paragraphs. Begin by summarizing the key findings and interpretations, reinforcing how each literary work aligns with the work’s angle. Restate the thesis in a conclusive manner, emphasizing the overarching themes that have emerged from the analysis. Beyond a mere recap, the conclusion should provide broader insights into the implications of the outlook, encouraging readers to contemplate the universal truths or societal reflections brought to light. A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the interconnectedness of literature and the perspectives that illuminate its depth.

Critical Lens Essay Example

Final Remark 

Through the exploration of literary works, students not only refine their understanding of diverse perspectives but also develop essential analytical thinking skills. The ability to decipher, analyze, and articulate the underlying themes and conflicts within literature positions students as adept communicators and thinkers.

Armed with the skills cultivated in dissecting and interpreting texts, students gain a formidable ally in the pursuit of effective communication. By committing to harnessing the insights gained through this assignment, students empower themselves to produce richer, more nuanced pieces. 

How to Write a Thesis Statement for Your Critical Lens Essay?

How does using a critical lens essay help writers, what are the best critical lens essay examples.

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Introducing the lens.

The lens essay can be difficult for students to grasp conceptually: what are we asking them to do? And why are we asking them to do it? I find it is most effective to explain the lens essay by talking about it in a lot of different ways on a lot of different days, rather than setting aside one large chunk of time to “teach” the concept of the lens. Therefore, I’m including some quick soundbites/exercises/talking points on how to get ideas flowing about the lens essay.

Defining a Lens

I usually begin the lens unit by writing the word on the board. (I’ve borrowed this exercise from Christian Gentry.) I ask the students to tell me what a lens does. The salient points here are:

• A lens tends to magnify or exaggerate certain details
• Sometimes a lens blurs or distorts other details
• A lens frames your field of vision (for instance, if you wear glasses, you typically have trouble seeing things outside the frame of your lens)

Everyday Lenses

Depending on your class dynamic, it can also be useful to talk about how we use lenses in our everyday social interactions. However, these examples presume some familiarity with American culture and social conventions, so it might not work for a class with a lot of foreign students. Additionally, since some of these talking points touch on sensitive issues, you might not want to try this if your class dynamic is uncertain.

• Politics . What if I am talking about a politician, and I claim, “Of course he doesn’t believe in this” or “Of course he supports that: he’s a Republican!” How am I using a lens?
• Aesthetic trends . What if we’re talking about a movie, and I say, “Of course there are talking animals! It’s a Disney movie” or “Of course there’s a lot of violence – it’s a Scorsese film!” How am I using a lens?
• Stereotypes . How do stereotypes function as lenses? Do we use lenses to form opinions about other people and our social interactions? Some examples: feminist, hipster, party girl, “Brandeis students” (as opposed to “Harvard students” or what have you)?

Class Conversation

At some point, presumably, you will discuss your lens texts as a class. After you have defined a certain concept (like Freud’s definition of the ego and the id or Marx’s definition of commodity fetishism), just ask your students to connect it to the primary text. They struggle tremendously to do this in writing, yet most can do it quite naturally in conversation. Some leading questions (I’m using Marx and   Citizen Kane   as examples):

• Okay, so we understand commodity fetishism to mean   x.   Where do we see that idea at work in   Citizen Kane ? Be sure to press students on specifics. Where do you see this happening? Name a scene or quote a line.
• What do you think Marx would say about a character like Charles Foster Kane? How would Marx explain Kane’s downfall?
• Does Marx seem outdated, when we look at   Citizen Kane ? What do you think Marx would say, if we asked him to explain   y   (some conceptual wrinkle)?

Limitations of the Lens Assignment

One of the most productive conversations I ever had with my class about the lens essay came when I admitted that the assignment is inherently difficult because it is inherently constrained. At one point near the end of the lens unit, I had a student say, “I’m sorry, but this paper still does not feel like anything   I’ve been asked to do in other classes.” I told him that he was right, because for the lens essay, I had selected both the primary text and two possible lens essays. In other words,   I   had already limited the field of his interpretation by saying, implicitly, “I think these things go together in an interesting way.” I explain to the students that we do this for the sake of efficiency and ease (they don’t have very long to write these essays), but that in the research unit, it will be   their   turn to locate, select, and defend their choice of a theoretical lens.

I generally explain this to students somewhere between their rough and final drafts, and it seems to help them relax. I think the lens essay generates a lot of anxiety because, like it or not, we’re asking students to adopt a theoretical stance that   we   think is productive or provocative. To many students, this feels like we’re asking them to live inside our heads and try to intuit some Platonic ideal an essay. Try to persuade the students that this is not the case; in fact, the lens essay is really just an   exercise   (which they will be asked to repeat many, many times in their academic careers). It is an exercise   in trying on a critical perspective, with which they may or may not agree. In the future, they’ll be free to find their own perspectives and, in most cases, their own primary texts, as well.

Amy Easton-Flake (2010)

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How to Write a Thesis Statement for a Critical Lens Essay

How to Do an In-Depth Analysis Essay

"Everyone's a critic," or so the saying goes. When it comes to writing a critical lens essay, it's true that you get the chance to view wisdom and literature through a critical lens. The thesis statement is the center point of any essay, so crafting a strong example takes work. Take your inspiration from the format of the critical lens essay introduction, making sure to revise the wording to make your statement as convincing as possible.

Critical Lens Essay

A critical lens essay is a type of literary analysis paper. In this case, you start with a quotation, which you view through a "critical lens." This viewing involves restating the quotation in your own words, thus interpreting it. You take a position in this paper by stating whether you agree or disagree with the quotation as interpreted. The majority of the essay consists of elements from literature, usually two works, that support your position on the legitimacy of the quotation.

Elements of the Thesis Statement

The thesis statement, the final sentence of the introduction, consists of one sentence only. This statement includes the title, author and genre of the works of literature you are using to support your position. The thesis statement also includes literary elements, like characterization or theme, from the pieces that help support your position. Altogether the thesis statement connects the works to the quote. For example, you write, "In the drama, 'Othello,' by William Shakespeare, the development of the characters and the treatment of the themes shows how literature mirrors life."

Writing Process

The process for writing the introduction informs how you write your thesis statement. Start by recopying the given quotation and interpreting it. Decide whether you agree or disagree with the quotation as interpreted. Next, think about why you agree or not, brainstorming literary works that support your position. Consider which elements of the piece support your opinion. For instance, if the quotation suggests problems, consider the conflict and resolution of literary works. The interpretation and your agreement or disagreement serve as the foundation of your thesis statement.

Strengthening the Thesis Statement

Because thesis statements contain a lot of information, you should revise it to avoid awkward wording. Since your agreement sentence comes directly before, you can start the thesis statement with, "The truth of this statement is shown by" then list the literary works and elements. The phrase "The truth of" serves as a transition between the agreement sentence and your thesis, but it leads you to write in the passive. An active statement is more decisive: "The conflict in the novel 'The Old Man in the Sea' shows the truth of the quotation." The certainty of this statement sets the stage for supporting your position.

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• Greenwich Central School District High School English: Writing a Critical Lens Essay – Steps to Follow

Nadia Archuleta has a B.A. in English writing. She spent five years working abroad and has traveled extensively. She has worked as an English as a Foreign/Second Language teacher for 12 years.

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How to Write a Powerful “Lens” Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Writing an essay lets you dive deep into a topic, exploring its various facets and presenting your own unique perspective. Whether you are an excellent writer or just starting out, the lens essay is a valuable tool to develop your critical thinking skills and showcase your ability to analyze and interpret different sources.

The lens essay follows a specific structure and set of principles, where you critically analyze a single quote, book, or article and use it as a lens through which to view and interpret other texts or stories. While other essays may focus on making arguments or providing information, the lens essay requires you to take a stance and show how the quote or text you are using as a lens helps you understand a particular topic or issue.

The body paragraphs of your lens essay should include several original and well-researched examples that support your main thesis statement. Each paragraph should present a different example or piece of evidence, while also drawing connections back to the quote or text that serves as the lens. It is necessary to include critical analysis and explain how each example fits into the overall argument of your essay.

Critical Lens Remarks

When writing a critical lens essay, it is important to be aware of the various services and support available to students. Many college writing centers offer assistance with essay writing, and there are numerous online resources that provide tips and templates for structuring your essay.

To make your essay more analytical and impressive, it is necessary to include the following elements:

2. Body Paragraphs: In the body of your essay, make sure to identify the literary works you will be discussing and express your own interpretation of the quote. Use examples from the texts to support your claims.

When making critical lens remarks, it is important to be aware of the major principles of this type of essay. A critical lens essay goes beyond summarizing the plot or main ideas of a work; it requires you to analyze the literary elements and techniques used by the authors to convey their message.

One of the most common mistakes that students make when writing a critical lens essay is not being able to connect the quote to the works they are discussing. It is important to clearly identify whether the quote supports or contradicts the chosen works.

Furthermore, using too many quotes from the works without enough of your own analysis can weaken your argument. It is important to express your own thoughts and ideas about the topic, rather than relying solely on the words of others.

Writing a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement should be strong and concise, and it should clearly state the writer’s main argument or point of view. It should also provide enough support for the claims made throughout the essay. To write an excellent thesis statement for a lens essay, writers can follow these tips:

1. Understand the lens: Before writing the thesis statement, it is important to have a clear understanding of the lens through which the essay will be analyzed. This lens can be a specific theme, a literary theory, or any other analytical framework.

2. Analyze the texts: Take the time to analyze the literary works that will be discussed in the essay. Look for common elements, themes, or characters that can be used to support the thesis statement.

3. Be original: A strong thesis statement should be original and unique. Avoid generic statements that can apply to any topic or works. Instead, focus on expressing a specific argument or interpretation that is supported by the lens.

4. Use quotes wisely: Incorporate quotes from the works being analyzed to support the thesis statement. However, make sure the quotes are relevant and add value to the overall argument. Avoid using long quotes that may overshadow your own analysis.

5. Provide examples: Instead of just stating the main points, provide examples or evidence from the works to further support the thesis statement. This will make the argument more convincing and engaging for the reader.

6. Follow a clear structure: The thesis statement should be placed at the end of the first paragraph, as it serves as a roadmap for the rest of the essay. The following paragraphs should be well-organized and each should focus on a specific aspect or point related to the thesis statement.

7. Use templates: If you are struggling to write a thesis statement, consider using templates or guidelines provided by your teachers or academic resources. These can help you format your statement in a clear and effective way.

By following these principles, writers can create a powerful thesis statement that impresses readers and sets the tone for an analytical and exciting lens essay. Remember to take enough time to read and understand the works and analyze them in the context of the lens. With practice, writing a strong thesis statement will become second nature, allowing you to express your thoughts and insights confidently in your college essays and academic works.

Clear Presentation of the Topic

Another important element of a clear presentation is the thesis statement. This is a single sentence that expresses the writer’s stance or argument. It should be concise and to the point, letting the reader know exactly what the essay will be about.

Furthermore, it is necessary to support the thesis statement with three main points. These points should be supported by evidence and examples from the text or texts being analyzed. The writer should think about what they want to say about the topic and then find quotes or passages that support their ideas.

Moreover, the writer should make use of transitions to help guide the reader from one point to the next. This can be done with transitional words or phrases, such as “furthermore” or “on the other hand.”

Express Your Stance

When it comes to expressing your stance in a “lens” essay, it is crucial to have a strong thesis statement that clearly states your position. This statement should provide a clear and concise overview of the main argument you will be making in your essay.

When expressing your stance, it is helpful to think about the main elements of the “critical lens” topic and how they relate to each other. This will assist you in making a well-researched and well-structured argument.

Furthermore, as a writer, you may find it helpful to provide some remarks on the topic itself and its popularity among students and teachers. By doing so, you can demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter and show that you have done enough research on the topic.

In order to express your stance clearly and effectively, it is necessary to use clear and concise language. Avoid using vague or uncertain words that may confuse the reader. Instead, use strong and confident words to make your position clear.

By following these guidelines and expressing your stance clearly and confidently, you can impress your readers and make your essay more impactful. Remember, the more clear and persuasive your stance is, the more likely your essay will be successful.

What is a lens essay?

A lens essay is an essay that examines a particular text or piece of literature through the lens of a specific theory or school of thought.

What is the purpose of a lens essay?

The purpose of a lens essay is to analyze and interpret a text by using a specific theoretical framework or perspective.

How do you choose a lens for your essay?

To choose a lens for your essay, you should first identify the main themes or ideas of the text and then select a theory or perspective that provides a unique and insightful way of understanding those themes.

What are some common lenses or theories used in lens essays?

Some common lenses or theories used in lens essays include feminism, Marxism, psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, and structuralism.

What are the steps to writing a powerful lens essay?

The steps to writing a powerful lens essay include reading and understanding the text, selecting a lens or theoretical framework, conducting research on the lens, analyzing the text through the lens, and developing a strong thesis statement and supporting arguments.

What is a “Lens” essay?

A “Lens” essay is a type of literary analysis essay where the writer presents a text or work of art through the perspective of a particular lens or viewpoint.

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What Is a Critical Lens Essay?

A critical lens essay is a form of narrative essay containing five paragraphs covering a certain opinion of a direct quote. The standard five-paragraph format includes an introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each of the paragraphs examines critically the main point presented by the writer. Paragraphs in the critical lens essay are extremely structured and must adhere to certain guidelines in order to be written correctly.

In the first sentence of the introduction paragraph, the writer of the essay takes a direct quote from one of the pieces of literature and copies it. Then, the writer reinterprets that quote using original words and thoughts which are directly related. In the third sentence of the introduction, the writer states either agreement or disagreement with the opinion and gives reasons for support. The writer states which two literary works will be examined throughout the remainder of the essay.

The second and third paragraphs follow a different format as the introduction, but are written in the same way. The first sentence includes a literary element taken from one of the books, such as theme, characterization or the setting, and proves the point. Next, the writer shows how that point was proven and follows up with one more supporting sentence. The last sentence in the paragraph summarizes the thoughts presented.

In a critical lens essay, the fourth paragraph is based on the writer’s personal experiences. The paragraph should be written using the standard four- sentence structure . It either proves or disproves the point of view presented in the preceding two paragraphs.

After all ideas are presented using the outlined format, the writer concludes the essay by restating the original quote in the first sentence. The next sentence is a summary of why the quote is true or false followed by a prediction about future events in the next sentence. The individual should use another quote from one of the chosen works to further support the writer’s ideas to tie up the critical lens essay.

These types of essays are written for a variety of reasons. One reason is to sway the reader's point of view on a particular famous quote or to offer fresh insight into the meaning of the quote. In addition to that, the critical lens essay is assigned to assess the student’s skills in reading, writing and critical thinking . They are used to narrow the scope of a specific piece of literature.

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A critical lens essay is an analysis of a quote or statement in relation to a piece of literature or topic. It should evaluate its validity and provide evidence to support your interpretation.

By reading this article, the student will find the answers on most of the questions related to the critical lens essay, but if it seems insufficient, make an order at StudyCrumb delivering academic writing services to get the fastest and most quality help online!

What Is a Critical Lens Essay?

The initial question, which comes to mind of any student who faces such type of academic assignment sounds like, “ What is a critical lens essay? ” As literary elements are an integral part of any critical lens essay, it is important to define it as well to understand how to write a critical lens essay. Literary elements refer to the means a writer applies to describe/evolve characters. There are several things left to identify before moving to the sections that contain the detailed description of the critical lens essay structure.

• Conflict A struggle between the rivals (Person versus Person or another object/phenomenon).
• Figurative language Special literary devices aimed to compare & contrast or relate distinct stuff (metaphor, allegory, hyperbole, etc.)
• Flashback An episode created to explain an event happening in the present by recalling the past event(s).
• Foreshadowing A writer’s usage of tips to give the cue on the events that might take place later in the story.
• Imagery A special language an author implements to express a visual image/provide a sensory experience by playing with 5 senses of human being.
• Irony A conflict between the expected things and what takes place in reality (often used to describe funny moments or show someone’s stupidity).
• Plot The range of events occurring in the particular work of literature.
• Setting The specific period of time & location described in the plot.

The final 3 elements include symbolism (anything that reflects something), theme (the main message of the story), and tone (the way an author perceives his own story). It is time to go under the hood of this academic assignment by taking a look at how to write a critical lens essay step-by-step.

How to Write a Critical Lens Essay: Basic Principles

If you do not know the structure of the given type of academic assignment, you don’t know how to write a critical lens essay. Some of the United States high schools have it as the regular homework task. In most cases, those schools that are affiliated with the New York State Regents Exam offer a critical lens essay to their students. The whole essay is based on a single quote from a specific literary work. A student has no right to copy-paste the quotation, so it is recommended to rewrite this sentence or few. Try to memorize more rule associated with a critical lens essay writing:

• Never use a 1st person (“I,” “we”) – switch to the third-person voice while writing.
• Specify the quote’s author, title of literary work, and year of publishing.
• No hook sentence is needed – a literary quote would be enough.
• Provide personal interpretation of the chosen critical lens essay quote – it will be the thesis statement!

How to Write a Critical Lens Essay Step by Step

The goal of this type of academic assignment is to research the chosen literary quote. A student must talk about the original sources from which the quote was retrieved. Come up with personal critical analysis and explanation. This way, high school & college teachers assess the student's ability to read & analyze things plus writing, research, formatting, and analytical skills. The final grade is based on all of these factors.

Critical Lens Essay Outline

The main purpose is to get ready with an outline. A student should follow this roadmap not to get lost during the process of writing:

• Introduction
• Literary work #1
• Literary element #1
• Literary element #2

A student can make it the five paragraph essay by adding one more paragraph to the body if he wants. A couple of body paragraphs is okay.

Introduction: Impress the Reader

An introduction of such essay has an unusual structure because it has to begin with a literary quote while in case of other academic assignments a student may choose which type of hook to include and whether he needs it. Example:

“We can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them.” George Eliot The Mill on the Floss, 1860

A student can start by writing, “George Eliot once said…” (paraphrase). The next thing a student should do is to interpret the chosen quote. The offered quotation means people should never stop trying to achieve something greater even if they think they have everything in this life. It calls for further self-development. Then, the author of the essay should take some time to decide whether he/she supports the offered saying or no, and provide a transition to the following part. It might be enough to write, “I agree with the given statement as humans are meant to develop all the time.” Should this type of essay contain a thesis statement? Of course! Keep in mind that both (title of the analyzed piece 1) by (writer’s name) and ( the title of the analyzed piece 2) by (writer’s name) stick to the opinion that a human being must develop and learn something new throughout the life.

Body Paragraphs

Start with the topic sentence number 1. It should look like, “The story written by (author’s name) titled (name of a literary work) states that (example: it is better to erase some moments from person’s memory.” Transition statement is what comes after. The author may implement another literary element. Example: “One of the methods the author involves to prove his/her particular opinion is by (specific literary element discussed above). Everything left to do is:

• Identify literary element
• Relate the lens & literary element
• Provide a conclusion!

Here we go with a critical essay example of the body paragraph!

“The discussed piece of literature shows that to get something people truly want, they should give up everything they have by the specific moment of life. One of the methods to prove it is via the theme. It is a primary message the author wants to deliver in his work.”

Critical Lens Essay Conclusion

Once the student explained the chosen literary quote in the shape of a couple of sentences in each body paragraph, he should move to the conclusion. Make a summary of the body paragraphs to emphasize you stand. An interpretation must be clear & concise. Start writing an essay’s conclusion by rewriting the selected quote; begin summarizing the examples you used to cite throughout the essay. Repeat the full name of the writer and other contributors. Point out some evidence collected from the primary sources to motivate the target readers to start thinking about your topic by going on with the independent research.

Professional Notice: “Talk about the specific conditions that can change the author’s point of view. The mission is to come up with the general enclosing sentence, which will leave a strong, positive impact on the reader along with the intrigue and desire to learn more on the discussed topic. That is what teachers call a stellar outro!”

Critical Lens Essay Format: How Does It Look?

Is critical lens essay format somehow different from the typical essay’s format? The structure is different from, let’s say, argumentative/persuasive paper, but the format is everywhere the same if we speak about the established writings styles. They include MLA, APA, Chicago style paper , and rarer formats. The formatting elements include:

• Margins, fonts, page numbers, etc
• Direct/Indirect text citations
• References.

Excellent Critical Lens Essay Example

We are smoothly moving to the closing section of the article. It contains a critical lens example essay & topic ideas. Anne Frank is a great author – let her work be our example!

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How to Write a Critical Lens Essay

Table of Contents

Introduction

More often, students have faced the challenge of effectively coming up with a critical lens essay. It is very common for high school and even college students to be called upon to come up with an essay. They all seem to make the same mistake of writing an ordinary essay. It is crucial to differentiate between a common essay and critical lens essay. The details of this topic have formed the bulk of this paper.

What is a critical essay ?

This is a piece that is done in many schools in America where a quote is provided and a student is expected to make a personal stand regarding that particularquote. This kind of writing is known as critical lens essay writing. A student is expected to either agree or disagree with that quote and either way provide reasons for the stand taken. In writing the critical lens essay, an in-depth exploration of the quote must be done within the context of the book from which the quote is derived. The primary goal is a critical lens essay is to assess a student’s skills in critical thinking. For a student to effectively come up with a good essay, they should read, understand, evaluate and analyze all the issues in the context.

In writing a custom critical lens essay, the first step is to come up with a critical lens essay outline. This is an overview of the entire essay in a nutshell. It is in the outline of the essay that the critical lens essay format is captured. When coming up with this nature of an essay, astudent must be keen enough to respond to main issues addressed in the quote. When there is more than one issue raised, the student must address each issue specifically. This ensures that there is a holistic approach to all issues.

Critical Lens Essay Structure

There are three aspects that a student seeks to achieve when writing a critical lens essay. There are explanation, analysis and interpretation. A student must carefully think and plan his/her thoughts so that there is cohesion and flow of ideas. Among the preliminary steps that must be taken before embarking on the actual writing include identification of elements used in literature. They include symbolism, language, themes and tone among others.

In coming up with a critical lens essay you must respond to the point of view conveyed by the quote and after that, you should try to explain the same in your own words. Any critical lens essay includes an introduction, body of the essay and a concluding paragraph which captures the summary of all issues discussed in the essay.

Critical Lens essay format

The first step  in critical essay writing is the introduction of the essay on which the quote is specifically mentioned. In citing the quote, the author is mentioned and the source. For example, the first sentence may read, ‘ According to Desmond Tutu, people become people through other people.’ The actual quote must therefore appear at the beginning of the sentence. The next step is rewriting or rephrasing the quote. In rephrasing, the student must understand and interpret the quote so that the meaning is captured without necessarily using the same words as the author. In writing this essay, students should refrain from using the first person. Instead, use of third person is always preferred

The next step is the body which must have the source and name of the author. In the beginning of the body, it is necessary to restate the interpretation which had been done at the introduction. Use of terms of literature are welcome at this point. The third step is to expound further on the literary terms with the aim of putting the stand taken into context. A summary of the plot form which the quote is lifted may be done at this point. The intention is to ensure that the discussion remains within the desired context.

The final part is conclusion which involves asummary of all points discussed including restating the position taken. A mention of evidence justifying the position is given at this point. The guidelines herein will be integral in offering critical lens essay help.

Critical Lens Essay Topics

• It is not about what is said by the author, rather it is what they whisper.
• The conflict of good and bad is the basis of the struggle in literature
• What makes people good is having gone through failure and overcome.
• Literature is in its entirety is about protest
• Eyes see best in the dark.
• People become people through other people.
• Ourbravery is gauged on how obedient we are to the inner person.
•  In literature, it is emotion not reason that shapes characters.
• An interesting story in one city is ridiculous and laughable in another city
•  Literature serves to awaken the frozen sea inside us.

How to Write a Lens Essay

Sophie levant, 25 jun 2018.

Look closely at literature, and you may see a new world below the surface. In high school or college, a teacher may ask you to do this by writing a lens essay. A lens essay is a type of comparative paper that analyzes one text through the viewpoints expressed in another. Composing an effective one is difficult even for the most seasoned of writers. However, it is an incredible intellectual exercise through which you will not only improve your writing skills but your critical reading and thinking skills as well.

Explore this article

• Read the Lens Text
• Read the Focus Text
• Take a Closer Look
• Construct Your Thesis
• Compose the Body of Your Essay
• Sum Up Your Ideas
• Revise and Edit

things needed

• Your two texts
• Pen and paper

1 Read the Lens Text

Begin by reading the text you plan to use as your viewpoint. Take note of strong opinions, assumptions and justifications. Clear, concise notes about this section will help when using this text as a lens and when writing your final essay, so make sure your notes are accurate.

2 Read the Focus Text

Read the second work once, making note of its important details. Look back at your notes from the lens text, and read the focus text again with the lens text in mind. Use active reading skills such as writing questions in the margins and determining the purpose of each paragraph.

3 Take a Closer Look

Here are a few questions to consider when analyzing the content of your focus text: How does the lens text serve to shed light on the second text? Does it criticize it or support it? If the two pieces were written during different periods in history, consider the era in which the lens was written and how it affects the opinions or points made in the second. Consider the lives of the authors and how their differences might inform their writing.

4 Construct Your Thesis

With your notes in hand, construct your thesis statement. Using details from the both texts as context clues, determine how the author of the lens text would view the assertions of the focal text. Construct this view as a statement that includes the details expounded upon in the body paragraphs of your essay. At the same time, keep your thesis statement as clear and simple as you can. Your thesis statement is the roadmap to the rest of your paper. Its clarity and concision will help your reader understand what to expect.

5 Compose the Body of Your Essay

Write the body. A lens essay is typically constructed on a text-by-text basis. Concentrate on presenting the lens in the first paragraphs. In the following, present the second text as viewed through the lens. How do your points support the thesis? Make sure to include evidence for your assertions.

6 Sum Up Your Ideas

Write the conclusion. Restate your thesis first, then sum up the main points of your paper. Be sure to make what you have said meaningful. Don't let the paper fizzle out, but don't introduce new information either.

7 Revise and Edit

Read over your work at least once, first paying attention to content and inconsistencies in your argument. Make additions and corrections, and then proofread your work. Correct errors in style and grammar, and make sure your prose reads fluently. When in doubt, ask a friend to read your paper. Sometimes another set of eyes can catch mistakes that yours don't.

• It is always well worth your time to proofread and edit your paper before submission. Not only can you correct any errors in style and grammar, but inconsistencies in your argument as well.
• 1 Brandeis University: The Lens Essay
• 2 The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning: Active Reading Strategies

About the Author

Sophie Levant is a freelance writer based in Michigan. Having attended Michigan State University, her interests include history classical music, travel, and the German language. Her work has been published at eHow and Travels.

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What Is A Lens In Writing? (The Ultimate Guide)

Ever feel like your writing is stuck in a one-dimensional rut? Then you need to use a lens.

What is a lens in writing?

A lens in writing is a tool that shifts your perspective, like looking through a kaleidoscope. Writing lenses include historical, psychological, and critical. Use a writing lens to analyze, interpret, and craft richer, more engaging writing.

Buckle up, language enthusiast, because this ultimate guide dives deep into the fascinating world of writing lenses.

What Is a Lens in Writing? (10 Types)

Table of Contents

Think of a lens as a specific viewpoint or approach you adopt while writing.

It guides how you dissect information, select arguments, and craft your message.

Whether you analyze literature, dissect historical events, or craft marketing copy, lenses offer unique filters through which you process and present your ideas.

To simplify your journey, I’ve compiled a handy chart outlining 10 popular lenses:

Go ahead, bookmark this chart! It’s your cheat sheet to unlocking a universe of creative perspectives.

Now, let’s explore each lens, equipping you to wield them like a writing ninja.

Through the Lens of Time: The Historical Lens

What it is: The historical lens transports you to the past, examining your topic within the context of its era. This involves considering the social, political, and cultural factors that shaped events and influenced individuals.

How to use it: Research the historical context: dig into primary sources like documents, letters, and diaries. Analyze social norms, political structures, and major events of the time period. Consider how these factors influenced your topic and how your understanding might differ from a modern perspective.

Example: Analyzing a Shakespearean play through the historical lens involves understanding Elizabethan social hierarchy, religious beliefs, and theatrical conventions. This helps you interpret character motivations, plot developments, and the play’s overall message within its historical context.

Unveiling the Mind: The Psychological Lens

What it is: The psychological lens delves into the inner workings of the human mind, exploring characters’ motivations, behaviors, and mental states. It draws on psychological theories to analyze their actions, reactions, and thought processes.

How to use it: Identify key characters and their actions. Apply relevant psychological theories, such as Freudian psychoanalysis or cognitive-behavioral therapy, to explain their motivations. Analyze how their experiences and environment shape their behavior and mental state.

Example: Examining Hamlet’s indecisiveness and introspection through a psychological lens could involve applying Freudian concepts like the Oedipus complex and existential anxieties. This deepens your understanding of his character and the play’s exploration of human nature.

Decoding Social Structures: The Sociological Lens

What it is: The sociological lens focuses on the interactions, norms, and power dynamics within communities and societies. It examines how individuals and groups relate to each other, considering factors like social class, race, gender, and cultural values.

How to use it: Identify the social context of your topic: analyze social structures, power dynamics, and potential conflicts within the group or society. Consider how these factors influence individual experiences and group behaviors. Apply sociological theories like conflict theory or symbolic interactionism to explain observations.

Example: Analyzing a social media trend through the sociological lens might involve examining how it reflects broader cultural values, power dynamics between different groups, and the role of technology in shaping social interactions.

Weighing Wallets and Resources: The Economic Lens

What it is: The economic lens analyzes the financial aspects of a topic, focusing on production, consumption, and distribution of resources. It considers factors like market forces, economic policies, and social inequalities.

How to use it: Identify the economic context: analyze relevant economic concepts like supply and demand, resource allocation, and market structures. Explore how economic factors influence your topic and the individuals involved. Consider potential economic consequences of different actions or policies.

Example: Evaluating the impact of climate change through the economic lens might involve analyzing its effects on different industries, economic losses due to extreme weather events, and potential costs of implementing mitigation strategies.

Unveiling Power Plays: The Political Lens

What it is: The political lens examines the dynamics of power, governance, and influence within a political system. It analyzes how decisions are made, power is distributed, and individuals or groups compete for influence.

How to use it: Identify the political context: understand the structure of government, key political actors, and prevailing ideologies. Analyze how political dynamics influence your topic and the individuals involved. Consider potential political implications of different actions or policies.

Example: Examining a protest movement through the political lens might involve analyzing its demands in relation to existing power structures, the influence of political parties, and potential responses from the government.

Beyond Biology: The Gender Lens

What it is: The gender lens analyzes how gender identities, roles, and expectations shape experiences and social structures. It examines how individuals and groups are affected by societal norms and power dynamics related to gender.

How to use it: Identify the gender context: analyze dominant societal expectations for different genders, consider power dynamics and potential inequalities. Explore how gender roles and identities influence your topic and the individuals involved.

Example: Analyzing a novel through the gender lens might involve examining how female characters challenge or conform to societal expectations, exploring the portrayal of masculinity, and questioning power dynamics between genders.

Understanding Shared Values: The Cultural Lens

What it is: The cultural lens delves into the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a particular group or society. It examines how cultural norms, traditions, and customs shape experiences and behaviors.

How to use it: Identify the cultural context: research the specific belief systems, traditions, and values relevant to your topic and target audience. Analyze how cultural factors influence the perception and interpretation of your topic.

Example: Comparing advertising strategies across different cultures through the cultural lens might involve examining how humor, color symbolism, and family dynamics differ and how these differences impact marketing effectiveness.

The Power of Words: The Rhetorical Lens

What it is: The rhetorical lens analyzes how language is used to persuade, inform, or entertain. It examines the speaker’s purpose, strategies, and techniques to achieve their desired effect on the audience.

How to use it: Identify the speaker’s purpose and target audience. Analyze the language used, considering elements like tone, imagery, and emotional appeals. Evaluate the effectiveness of the speaker’s strategies in achieving their desired response.

Example: Analyzing a political speech through the rhetorical lens might involve examining how the speaker uses persuasive techniques like repetition, emotional appeals, and logical arguments to influence the audience’s opinion.

Preserving Our Planet: The Environmental Lens

What it is: The environmental lens considers the impact of human actions on the natural world. It examines issues like sustainability, resource management, and ecological consequences of human activities.

How to use it: Identify the environmental context: analyze the ecological impact of your topic and consider relevant environmental issues. Explore potential solutions and sustainable practices related to your topic.

Example: Evaluating the social impact of a new technology through the environmental lens might involve considering its energy consumption, potential pollution, and impact on biodiversity and resource depletion.

Shaping the Future: The Technological Lens

What it is: The technological lens examines the role of technology in society, focusing on its development, impact, and ethical implications. It analyzes how technology shapes our lives and raises important questions about its future evolution.

How to use it: Identify the technological context: understand the specific technology and its development stage. Analyze the social, economic, and ethical implications of its use. Consider potential future scenarios and responsible tech development practices.

Example: Discussing the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence through the technological lens might involve analyzing its impact on jobs, automation, and potential biases, highlighting the need for ethical considerations in its development and deployment.

Remember, these are just a few of the many writing lenses available. With practice and exploration, you can unlock a world of creative possibilities, enriching your writing and engaging your audience with diverse perspectives.

What Is a Critical Lens in Writing?

A critical lens is, in essence, a specific perspective or approach you adopt to critically examine a topic or text.

It acts as a filter, guiding how you analyze information, evaluate arguments, and ultimately shape your understanding.

Unlike mere summaries or descriptions, critical lenses encourage in-depth questioning, pushing you beyond surface-level observations to unearth deeper meanings and underlying assumptions.

Think of it this way: Imagine examining a painting through a magnifying glass.

While you could simply describe the colors and shapes, the magnifying glass allows you to closely scrutinize brushstrokes, textures, and hidden details, revealing the artist’s technique and message in a nuanced way.

Similarly, critical lenses empower you to zoom in on information, dissecting its layers and uncovering its deeper significance.

But remember, critical lenses are not about imposing a singular “correct” interpretation.

Watch this video about writing a critical lens essay:

Final Thoughts: What Is a Lens in Writing?

Don’t be afraid to experiment, break the mold, and see the world through a new lens. Write on!

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Tag Archives: lens essay

“the death of ivan ilych: a psychological study on death and dying” as a lens essay.

The lens essay is a commonly-assigned paper, particularly in Writing Seminars. The prompt for such a paper often asks students to “critique and refine” an argument, to use a source as a lens through which to view another source and in the process gain a better understanding of both sources. This type of essay can be hard to explain and difficult to understand, so it is one of the most common types of essays we see in the Writing Center.

Recently, I read Y.J. Dayananda’s paper “ The Death of Ivan Ilych : A Psychological Study On Death and Dying ” which uses the lens technique. In this paper, Dayananda examines Tolstoy’s famous short story The Death of Ivan Ilych through the lens of Dr. E. K. Ross’s psychological studies of dying, particularly her five-stage theory. Dayananda’s paper features strong source use, shows how structure can be informed by those sources, and serves as a model for an effective and cross-disciplinary lens essay.

Dayananda establishes the paper’s argument clearly at the end of the introduction, setting up the paper’s thesis in light of this lens technique and providing the rationale (part of the motive) behind applying Ross’s study to Tolstoy’s story:

I intend to draw upon the material presented in Dr. Ross’s On Death and Dying and try to show how Tolstoy’s Ivan Ilych in The Death of Ivan Ilych goes through the same five stages. Psychiatry offers one way to a better illumination of literature. Dr. Ross’s discoveries in her consulting room corroborate Tolstoy’s literary insights into the experience of dying. They give us the same picture of man’s terrors of the flesh, despair, loneliness, and depression at the approach of death. The understanding of one will be illuminated by the understanding of the other. The two books, On Death and Dying and The Death of Ivan Ilych , the one with its systematically accumulated certified knowledge, and disciplined and scientific descriptions, and the other with its richly textured commentary, and superbly concrete and realistic perceptions, bring death out of the darkness and remove it from the list of taboo topics. Death, our affluent societies newest forbidden topic, is not regarded as “obscene” but discussed openly and without the euphemisms of the funeral industry.

Dayananda then organizes the paper in order of the five stages of Dr. Ross’s theory: denial, loneliness, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. This gives the paper a clear structure and places the texts into conversation with each other on an organizational level. As the reader moves through each stage, Dayananda combines quotations from Dr. Ross’s study and evidence from The Death of Ivan Ilych to show how Ivan Ilych experiences that stage.

Dayananda’s interdisciplinary close-reading of Tolstoy’s text through the lens of Dr. Ross’s study allows us to better understand what Ivan is experiencing as we learn the psychology behind it. As Dayananda writes, “psychoanalysis offers a rich, dynamic approach to some aspects of literature.” The only way Dayananda’s paper could have been strengthened is if the essay also argued explicitly how reading the literature critiques or refines the psychological text, as the best lens essays run both ways. However, overall, Dayananda sets up and executes an original and effective lens reading of The Death of Ivan Ilych.

–Paige Allen ’21

Dayananda, Y. J. “ The Death of Ivan Ilych: A Psychological Study On Death and Dying .” Tolstoy’s Short Fiction: Revised Translations, Backgrounds and Sources, Criticism , by Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoi and Michael R. Katz, Norton, 1991, pp. 423–434.

The Shade of the Body: Notions of Materiality in Rauschenberg’s Dante Series

In a Tortoiseshell: In the paper excerpted below, the author builds a graduated version of the lens thesis: She analyzes Robert Rauschenberg’s 34 Drawings for Dante’s Inferno in the context of Dante’s Inferno itself, using close reading as well as scholarly texts to make a subtle argument about both texts.

Continue reading →

The “Immense Edifice”: Memory, Rapture, and the Intertemporal Self in Swann’s Way

In a Tortoiseshell: This excerpt from Andrew Mullen’s essay “The ‘Immense Edifice”:  Memory, Rapture, and the Intertemporal Self in Swann’s Way ” concerns the analysis of Marcel Proust’s “ Swann’s Way ” through the lens of Claudia Brodsky’s essay on narration and memory. Andrew’s essay is a prime example of the lens essay –an essay that is structured around the analysis of a source text using a theoretical framework provided by another. Continue reading →

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Critical Lenses in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

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Critical Lens Essay Example for English Regents

A critical lens essay is a type of essay aimed at providing a personal interpretation and analysis of a certain quotation or statement, proving one’s opinion with the help of literature references. Though it contains a word “critical” in its name, it is not meant to be a critical piece. As a matter of fact, a critical lens essay is focused on highlighting strong and weak points of a given quote. Thus, the word “critical” stands for the demonstration of critical thinking skills of the author by means of supporting his claim with certain arguments taken from literary works. Linking one’s opinion to reputable sources makes a convincing effect on the reader, proving your ideas to be true.

How is a critical lens essay used?

Writing such type of essay appears to be quite a challenging assignment for students. First, while studying at high school, college, or university, one has to obtain and develop such essential skills as critical and analytical thinking; ability to compare facts, theses, quotes, and ideas, make one’s own statements and prove them, draw right conclusions. Second, a profound research on the given topic should be done, as it determines the further direction of your writing. Finally, a student needs to have an excellent command of grammar, spelling, and punctuation in order to express his/her thoughts clearly and academically correctly.

Thus, critical lens essays are perfect opportunities for professors to check students’ skills and abilities. No wonder this specific type of essay is often one of the tasks on the Regents, a New York State set of exams required for graduation. For this reason, one should know how to write a critical lens essay at the high academic level, because it reflects the general level of education of a student. Hence, the student is evaluated accordingly.

What is a critical lens essay format?

Typically, a critical lens essay follows a standard essay format pattern. Therefore, it consists of five paragraphs, including introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, so it should not be long like a research paper . In order to develop the critical analysis, a student has to use examples from two literature pieces, each one discussed in a separate paragraph. The book titles need to be underlined and capitalized, written in accordance with the capitalization and punctuation rules. As for the language and general tone of writing, it should be objective, without revealing any of the author’s personal beliefs. All the claims need to be referred to reputable literature sources that would support the author’s thesis and present the evidence of its validation. In order for the tone to sound objective, one should avoid using personal pronouns, for example, “I”, “me”, “my”, “you”, “your”, “we”, “our”. On the contrary, it is recommended to replace them with third person pronouns or general words like “people”, “readers”, “audience”.

Tips to make a critical lens essay outline

As it was mentioned above, a critical lens essay template coincides with the fixed classic essay pattern.

Introduction

The first part of an essay is the introduction. This is the first thing that makes an impression upon the reader. So, the intro part should be captivating enough to get the reader really interested in what you have to say. The introduction starts with the quote, which is not just an ordinary sentence from the text, but a significant statement that holds considerable value. It should be universally acknowledged and meaningful; the author’s name should also be provided.

After introducing the quote, a writer has to interpret it in one sentence using his/her own words. Such an interpretation is called the thesis. It plays a role of the foundation of the entire essay, which makes it a crucial part of the paper. Therefore, a key to a high-quality critical lens essay is arranging the thesis in a wise and profound way, as it presents the criteria for the further analysis.

Having provided the thesis, the writer needs to support or refute it. Though, the decision whether to agree or disagree is based not on his personal opinion, but on two literature references related to the quote. Connecting the essay with relevant references affirms the objective approach. The titles and authors of the chosen literature works have to be underlined. The intro part ends with adding a few words about the chosen reference texts topics.

Body Paragraphs

There should be two body paragraphs introducing two literature works mentioned in the introduction. The writer needs to use the references as the means for supporting his thesis. Both topic and concluding sentences demonstrate and prove the connection between the reference examples and the thesis. There should not be any summarizing; just highlighting and analysis of the main points of both literary texts explaining their relevance to the core statement. Moreover, there is no need to retell the plot of the chosen texts. On the contrary, the writing should be laconic, but clear. To convey the arguments in the most appropriate way, some literary elements from the reference texts should be chosen, such as the following:

• Characterization (direct or indirect way to describe the character);
• Conflict (opposition of the ideas, forces, views);
• Figurative language (metaphor, simile, hyperbole, alliteration, personification);
• Flashback (describing the past event that is necessary to know at present);
• Foreshadowing (hints on the events to come);
• Setting (describing time and place of action);
• Symbolism (representing something through another thing);
• Theme (main idea, message of the text);
• Tone (author’s attitude towards the audience or subject).

The last essay part summarizes the arguments and proves the initial thesis right or wrong. The quote and the thesis should be restated here, but the thesis has to be rephrased, not taken from the intro part word by word. If the essay is written in a right manner, then the conclusion would follow in the most logical way and the readers would totally agree to it. While body paragraphs persuade the reader of the correctness of the thesis, the conclusion just states the fact: the thesis is true and it is absolutely confirmed. So, the reader is satisfied, though intrigued to investigate the topic more.

How to choose the right quote?

This is not an easy task to do. The quote determines the quality of the essay, depending on whether it’s relevant or not. Below there is a list of possible quotes that are approved to be used for critical lens essays as they are widely applied at the English Regents.

English Regents critical lens quotes list:

• “Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears” (Arthur Koestler);
• “Individuality is freedom lived” (John Dos Passos);
• “Obedience is the mother of success and is wedded to safety” (Aeschylus);
• “Nobody can acquire honor by doing what is wrong” (Thomas Jefferson);
• “Do what you can, with what you have, and where you are” (Theodore Roosevelt);
• “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get” (Warren Buffet);
• “Some books leave us free and some books make us free” (Ralph Waldo Emerson);
• “The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands” (Anne Frank);
• “Prejudice is the child of ignorance” (William Hazlitt);
• “If there is no struggle, there is no progress” (Frederick Douglas);
• “It is impossible to go through life without trust” (Graham Green);
• “Fear is simply the consequence of every lie” (Fyodor Dostoevsky);
• “No two persons regard the world in exactly the same way” (J. W. von Goethe);
• “We pay a price for everything we get or take in this world” (L. M. Montgomery);
• “Men are at the mercy of events and cannot control them” (Herodotus);
• “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it” (Helen Keller);
• “Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it” (Rene Descartes);
• “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” (Dr. Seuss);
• “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough” (Mae West);
• “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on” (Robert Frost);
• “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results” (Albert Einstein);
• “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” (John Lennon);
• “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not” (André Gide);
• “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving” (Albert Einstein);
• “The real hero is always a hero by mistake” (Umberto Eco);
• “It is the human lot to try and fail” (David Mamet);
• “You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it” (Yann Martel);
• “The human heart has ever dreamed of a fairer world than the one it knows” (Carleton Noyes);
• “To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else” (Bernadette Devlin);
• “All that is literature seeks to communicate power” (Thomas De Quincey);
• “It is not what an author says, but what he or she whispers, that is important” (Logan Pearsall Smith);
• “What lasts is what is written. We look to literature to find the essence of an age” (Peter Brodie);
• “Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure” (William Saroyan);
• “All literature is protest. You can’t name a single literary work that isn’t protest” (Richard Wright);
• “The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience” (J. F. Clarke);
• “We do not read novels for improvement or instruction” (Oliver Wendell Holmes);
• “In a dark time, the eye begins to see” (Theodore Roethke);
• “A person is a person through other persons” (Archbishop Desmond Tutu);
• The right good book is always a book of travel; it is about a life’s journey” (H.M. Tomlinson).

The quotations listed above serve as appropriate examples of the NYS English Regents critical lens essay quotes. Thus, they might be widely used during the preparation for the Regents or any other type of exam where a critical lens essay is one of the tasks.

How to write a critical lens essay step by step?

Below there are detailed steps that may serve as an instruction for writing this type of essay. Each step will be followed by the relevant part of a critical lens essay example to make the guideline even more clear.

Step 1. Choose a meaningful quote and introduce it, indicating its author. Add a few sentences before it to get the readers involved and let them follow the logical flow of your thoughts.

Step 2. Interpret the quote, rewrite it using your own words. That would be your thesis.

Step 3 . Agree or disagree with the thesis.

Step 4. Introduce two literary references that prove your thesis. Express in a few words how they support the thesis.

Step 5. Start writing the first body paragraph focusing on the first literary reference mentioned in the intro part. Choose the literary element, through which the text and thesis would be connected. Prove that the text example supports the quote.

Step 6 . Do the same thing focusing on the other literary work while writing the second body paragraph.

Step 7. Summarize everything you have written. State the quote and thesis again, the latter should be rephrased, though. The conclusion has to prove the coherence between the thesis and arguments written above.

Below there is a sample of a critical lens essay that may be referred to during the preparation for the English Regents.

Critical lens essay example for English Regents

Human life is a constant alternating between success and failure. Today one may enjoy the abundance of money and opportunities, while tomorrow may bring something totally different. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, and where you are.” One’s duty in life is to do one’s best, strive to survive and get moving using all the skills and resources available, regardless of the circumstances. Life indeed often forces people to keep trying even in the most unfavorable conditions and teaches that doing this is the only key to win. Both Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Love of Life by Jack London support the idea that all the problems can be solved if the person is well motivated and wise enough to direct all the efforts and chances towards one’s goal.

The novel Robinson Crusoe illustrates a strong will of an ordinary man who faced unpredictable circumstances after a shipwreck. He has lost everything and everyone just in a moment. The fate left him alone on the desert island in total despair. Daniel Defoe uses the direct method of characterization showing main hero’s desire to survive. He was not expecting such a fatal failure. Robinson got a tremendous challenge that let him acknowledge himself as a miserable creature but also created perfect conditions for self-discovery. On the unknown out-of-the-way patch of the Earth, he found himself completely helpless and alone in his struggle for life. Nevertheless, Crusoe realized the real value of human life and gathered all the possible means he could ever find on the island, which combined with his brilliant intellect and willpower saved him afterwards. The story is narrated in the form of his own diary, which pictures the hero in the most veritable way. He kept trying over and over again while building his refuge place, acquiring hunting and farming skills. The long twenty-eight years way through failures to victory taught him that the main thing in life is the ability to pull oneself together when there seems like nothing can be done. Robinson proved that it is not the setting and opportunities that matter, but a strong goal-oriented approach to the problem.

Love of Life demonstrates another example of overcoming hardships in life. Gold seekers are lost in the White Desert. While one of them leaves his comrade in trouble, he succeeded to survive. Through the tone of the novel, it is evident that Jack London supports his hero picturing him as a symbol of a victorious will power. Physical exhaustion, freezing cold of the White Desert, pain from the betrayal of the only friend, fear of loneliness, hunger, which is not eased with the miserable stuff that cannot even be called food. Moreover, he suffers from the pain in legs, being severely injured. Torturing body ache is combined with the despair of useless attempts to gain food and unbearable exhaustion, which leads to hallucinations. Yet, in spite of all he has encountered, despite being frightened and despaired, the man found enough courage not to give up but went on with a great passion for life, which helped him during struggles with a bear and a wolf. His irresistible desire to live, tranquility, and patience is what removed the fear and saved him from death. The hero was doing what he could: he was able to walk, he walked; he could only crawl, he crawled; he was obliged to fight with wild animals, so he did. As long as there were those primitive means for survival, no matter how adverse the setting, the man continued his difficult path and, finally, he succeeded.

All things considered, it seems sensible to assume that in order to lead the life to the full and survive despite all the troubles, one needs to use each little thing around, notwithstanding the limits. The core of success is human mind and will that dominates over poor conditions, situations that seem to be impossible, fears, and desperate obstacles. Thus, the saying “Do what you can, with what you have, and where you are” serves as the right motto for the general life philosophy.

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This screening includes JORGENSEN GUEST FILMMAKER SERIES PRESENTS BRETT STORY

Care Not Cages , Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series

A conversation with award-winning documentarian Brett Story.

About Jorgensen Guest Filmmaker Series Presents Brett Story

Brett Story is an award-winning filmmaker, geographer, and writer. Her films have screened in festivals around the world, including CPH-DOX, the Viennale, SXSW, True/False, and Sheffield DocFest. Her 2016 feature documentary, The Prison in Twelve Landscapes , was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and was a nominee for Best Feature-Length Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards. Brett’s most recent feature documentary, The Hottest August , was released to critical acclaim in March 2019. The film was a New York Times Critics’ Pick, where it was described as “a cinematic gift, an intellectual challenge, an emotional adventure.” The Hottest August was broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens in 2020 and was featured in over a dozen best-of-the-year lists, including by Rolling Stone, Vulture , and Vanity Fair .

Brett is the author of the book Prison Land: Mapping Carceral Power Across Neoliberal America , and she holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Toronto. She has held fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, Sundance Institute, and MacDowell. Brett was named by Variety as one of 2019’s "10 Documentary Filmmakers to Watch.” Her interests across the fields of documentary and critical theory are expansive, and include experimental cinema and essay films, political geography, critical theory, racial capitalism, and Marxist political economy. 

This program will be in the form of an onstage conversation between Story and IU Cinema Director Dr. Alicia Kozma.

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Opinion Guest Essay

If There’s One Thing Trump Is Right About, It’s Republicans

Credit... Mike Osborne for The New York Times

Supported by

By Peter Wehner

Mr. Wehner, a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, is a contributing Opinion writer.

• March 10, 2024

For the thousandth time, the Republican Party refused an off-ramp that would free itself from Donald Trump. As long as he’s around, it never will.

In this year’s presidential primary campaign, the party had the chance to nominate Nikki Haley, a successful, conservative former two-term governor of South Carolina. Unlike Mr. Trump’s, her public career hasn’t been characterized by a lifetime of moral squalor. And many polls show she would be a more formidable candidate against President Biden than Mr. Trump. No matter. Mr. Trump decimated Ms. Haley, most recently on Super Tuesday. She suspended her campaign the next day. But she never had a chance.

The Republican Party has grown more radical, unhinged and cultlike every year since Mr. Trump took control of it. In 2016 there was outrage among Republicans after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape. On the tape, in words that shocked the nation, Mr. Trump said that when you’re a star, “you can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.”

In 2023, Mr. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse. What some people dismissed as his locker room talk turned out to be more than just talk. Yet no Republican of significance said a critical word about it.

The same was true this year when Mr. Trump was found liable for civil fraud. The judge in the case, Arthur F. Engoron, said that the former president’s “complete lack of contrition” bordered on “pathological.” Yet Republicans were united in their outrage not in response to Mr. Trump’s actions but at the judge for the size of the penalty.

Today many Republicans not only profess to believe that the election was stolen; prominent members of Congress like Representative Elise Stefanik and Senator J.D. Vance say they would not have certified the 2020 election results, as Vice President Mike Pence, to his credit, did. Mike Johnson, who played a leading role in trying to overturn the election, is speaker of the House.

Republicans not only excuse the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6; Mr. Trump and his party also now glorify the insurrectionists. At his kickoff campaign rally for 2024, a song called “Justice for All” played, featuring him and the J6 Prison Choir, made up of prisoners charged with crimes related to the riot. Republicans are not only convinced that he was unfairly impeached and unfairly indicted; they are also completely untroubled by his threats against (and slander of) judges, law clerks and prosecutors, not to mention his attempts to influence and intimidate witnesses .

They are fine with the former president referring to “the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country” and insinuating that the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley deserved to be executed for committing treason. They are fine with Mr. Trump encouraging Russia to attack our NATO allies and comparing himself with Alexei Navalny , the Kremlin’s fiercest and bravest critic, who died while serving time in a remote Russian prison for his political beliefs. They are fine with his suggesting “termination” of the Constitution and with one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers arguing that if, as president, Mr. Trump ordered SEAL Team Six to assassinate an opponent, he could be immune from criminal prosecution. And this is only a tiny sample of what he’s been saying and doing for years.

Call them Fifth Avenue Republicans.

Fifth Avenue Republicans support Mr. Trump, regardless of what he does — even if, as he said in 2016, he stood in the middle of Fifth Avenue in New York and shot someone. This wasn’t an exaggeration; it was prophecy.

The radicalization of the Republican Party isn’t going to abate anytime soon. Another band of traditional Republicans, who could serve as a counterweight to MAGA Republicans, is fleeing Congress. Republicans who recently left or are about to leave include Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse in the Senate and Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Patrick McHenry, Kay Granger, Will Hurd, Ken Buck and Mike Gallagher in the House. Some of these people have said privately that they knew that continuing to serve in Congress as representatives of a party saying good things about Mr. Trump that they knew weren’t true was not good for their souls.

Twenty-six Republican senators voted against the recent aid package for Ukraine, which a pre-Trump Republican Party would have overwhelmingly supported. And of the 17 Republican senators who were elected beginning in 2018 and who are age 55 or younger , 15 voted no.

In other words, the MAGA takeover of the Republican Party is complete. Mitch McConnell, who was one of the most influential majority leaders in the history of the Senate and excoriated Mr. Trump for his role in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 from the floor of the Senate, recently announced he was stepping down from the Republican leadership, and soon after that, he announced he was endorsing Mr. Trump. It was a surrender to Mr. Trump , an acknowledgment of his dominance.

Mr. Trump will be the Republican nominee for a third time. His imprint on the Republican Party is now comparable with — and in some ways exceeds — Ronald Reagan’s. And that imprint is likely to last for at least a generation. It is a staggering achievement.

It also presents a profound threat to the country. Whatever one thought of the Republican Party pre-Trump, it was not fundamentally illiberal or nihilistic; its leaders were not sociopathic, merciless con men, wantonly cruel and lawless. No area of Mr. Trump’s life appears to have been untouched by moral corruption.

As a young man, I was influenced by conservative intellectuals like George Will, Irving Kristol and James Q. Wilson. I served in three Republican administrations, including as a senior adviser in the White House under President George W. Bush, and voted Republican in nine consecutive presidential elections, beginning with Mr. Reagan in 1980. My political tribe was Republican; so were most of my friends. To see what the G.O.P. has become is mortifying. As someone who loves America, I find it terrifying.

To get a better sense of this moment, I reached out to the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham. “Historically speaking, the forces now in control of the Republican Party represent the most significant threat to basic constitutionalism we’ve experienced since the Civil War,” Mr. Meacham, who has helped devise some of Mr. Biden’s speeches, told me. “That’s not a partisan point; it’s just the fact of the matter. And I’m not talking about particular policies, about which we can and should disagree. I’m talking about the self-evident willingness of a once-noble party to embrace lies and the will to power over essential democratic norms.”

Since 2015, I have repeatedly warned Republicans about Mr. Trump, describing him as the kind of demagogue the founders feared , malignant and malicious, a man with a disordered personality. At this point eight years ago , I said that while the struggle for the Republican nomination was over, the struggle for the soul of the party was not.

Once Mr. Trump won the presidency, I knew it was. He and the Republican Party fused ideologically; it’s now a populist rather than a conservative party. Its instincts are nativist, protectionist and isolationist. But the most significant fusion is ethical and moral. The Republican Party keeps getting darker. It has become anti-intellectual, conspiracy-minded and authoritarian, intemperate and brutish, transgressive and anarchistic. And there’s no end in sight.

Mr. Trump is a human blowtorch, prepared to burn down democracy. So is his party. When there’s no bottom, there’s no bottom.

The next 34 weeks are among the more consequential in the life of this nation. Mr. Trump was a clear danger in 2016; he’s much more of a danger now. The former president is more vengeful, more bitter and more unstable than he was, which is saying something. There would be fewer guardrails and more true believers in a second Trump term. He has already shown he’d overturn an election, support a violent insurrection and even allow his vice president to be hanged. There’s nothing he won’t do. It’s up to the rest of us to keep him from doing it.

Peter Wehner ( @Peter_Wehner ) is a contributing Opinion writer and a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum who served in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. He is the author of “ The Death of Politics : How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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