A critical lens essay is a type of essay where student’s ability to think critically and express their ideas in the written form is estimated. Generally, it requires three major skills: reading, critical thinking, and writing. Critical Lens essay generally follows a fixed essay format: introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion.
What Is a Critical Lens Essay
A critical lens essay is a type of essay where student’s ability to think critically and express their ideas in the written form is estimated. Generally, it requires three major skills: reading, critical thinking, and writing. Careful preparation for essay writing is no less important than writing itself.
This type of essay (see all types of essay) is often used during written examinations when the assignment is given in the form of a statement or a phrase, and students are asked to relate it to one or two pieces of literature.
Critical Lens Essay Structure
Critical Lens essay generally follows a fixed essay format. In the essay, a student has to discuss two literature pieces and 3 literary terms. In addition, a student needs to know capitalization rules and write them correctly. All titles are capitalized. Book titles are underlined and short stories are put in quotes. Generally, an essay consists of the following elements:
Introduction
The first sentence introduces the quote itself. Next sentence one should give the student’s interpretation of the quote to show how the student understands its meaning. Next, outline whether you agree or disagree with this quote, mention the books you are going to talk about in your essay and explain how your quote relates to them. Remember to spell, capitalize and punctuate all titles correctly.
It is advisable not to use personal pronouns like: “I, you, we, me, my”; in contrast, it is better to substitute them with third person pronouns or alternative words like ‘they’, ‘readers’, ‘people’ etc.
Three Body Paragraphs
Paragraph 1. In the first body paragraph, restate the quote in your interpretation.
Paragraph 2. In the second body paragraph, mention the titles of the first literature piece you are going to analyze and briefly mention how it relates to the selected quote.
Paragraph 3. In the third body paragraph, speak about the second literary piece and explain how you think it relates to the quote you have selected.
In order to back up your quote, you will need to use specific examples from each novel. Another thing: don’t forget to connect the book back to the interpretation of your quote.
Conclusion
Your conclusion sums up the main thoughts of the essay. It is strongly recommended not to repeat your introduction verbatim. Don’t forget to end your essay with the quote that opened it.
Steps on How to Write a Critical Lens Essay
STEP 1. Read the quote attentively.
STEP 2. Try to rewrite the quote in your own words.
STEP 3. Analyze the quote.
STEP 4. Decide whether you agree or disagree.
STEP 5. Name the two literary pieces that support your position.
STEP 6. Think of a short summary of the two texts and express how they support/don’t support the quote.
STEP 7. Try to use literary elements into your argument, but don’t overdo it. Use it in the introduction and the first body paragraph.
STEP 8. In the first paragraph, focus on the book you have read and explain how the text supports your understanding of the quote.
STEP 9. If one paragraph appears to be too long, you may break it up into two smaller ones.
STEP 10. In the second paragraph, you should use the same order but now write about the other text.
STEP 11. Make a short summary of what you’ve written – that’s your conclusion.
STEP 12. Restate your thesis and explain how the texts you selected to support it.
Necessary Literary Elements
Keeping the structure in mind, you should not forget to use the following literary elements:
- Figurative Language: use the simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification and hyperbole correctly.
- Flashback: be able to describe the past event at present.
- Foreshadowing: use name hints or clues that suggest some events that may happen next.
- Plot: follow the correct sequence of events which took place in the literary piece.
- The point of view: give your own point of view.
- Setting: show your knowledge of the time and place of the action in literary work.
- Theme: show your understanding of the central idea of the literary work.
- Tone: use your specific attitude towards the audience or subject.
Be able to add to your interpretation of the quote the details from the books you read. If you follow all the tips you will create an intelligent critical lens essay and will easily convince the reader that you are aware of your topic to the smallest detail. The main thing you need to keep in mind while creating your critical lens essay is to persuade readers to accept your viewpoint. Place an order and our professional academic writers will help you find the right reasoning to do that!