The Critical Lens Essay

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The Critical Lens Essay
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What is the format?

• (Part 4 of the Regents Exam in English)
• Your tasks
• Read and interpret a statement or quotation
• Write a critical essay discussing two previously
  read literary works

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Part IV The Critical Lens Essay

• The critical lens essay is a position paper or
  persuasive writing
• Like a thesis essay, you state a position
  (opinion) and then support your position with
  specific details, examples, reasons, or other
  information

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Preparing for Part IV

• Consider in advance which works you would feel
  most comfortable discussing

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Preparing for Part IV

• Be prepared to discuss several works (at least 3)
• Know titles, authors, characters names,
  settings, etc.

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Preparing for Part IV

• Study and review the works specific literary
  devices

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Preparing for Part IV

• Choose substantial works (hint works you have
  read in class have been thoroughly analyzed)

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Caution!

• DO NOT take short cuts do not write essays
  about movie or television versions of literature
• Obscure or unfamiliar books may also not work to
  your advantage
• If in doubt about a suitable choice, ask your
  teacher AS YOU ARE PREPARING

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How to interpret a quotation

• Imagine the quotation as a true or false
  question.
• For example We must have a weak spot or two in
  a character before we can love it much. True or
  false?
• If you think it is true, you agree with the
  statement. Jot down your specific reasons for
  agreeing with it.

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What do you use for evidence?

• Literary devices, of course!
• Literary devices that you might want to write
  about include (but are not limited to)
  characterization (7 elements), mood, plot (be
  specific), point of view, setting, structure,
  theme, tone, etc.

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How should I organize my essay?

• Introduction
• Include the quotation in its entirety make sure
  you record it correctly and thoroughly
• Provide your interpretation of the quotation
• State whether you agree or disagree with the
  quotation and state WHY
• Provide the titles and authors of two works of
  literature that you will use to prove the
  quotation

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How should I organize my essay?

• Body paragraph 1 Literary Work 1
• Topic sentence include the first title and the
  first literary device you will use
• Provide two examples where this device proves
  your interpretation of the quotation
• State the second literary device you will use
• Provide two examples where this device proves
  your interpretation of the quotation
• Explain how and why the literary devices and
  examples you have chosen support your
  interpretation of the quotation!!!
• Note you may wish to divide this into two
  paragraphs

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How should I organize my essay?

• Body paragraph 2 Literary Work 2
• Topic sentence include the second title and the
  first literary device you will use
• Provide two examples where this device proves
  your interpretation of the quotation
• State the second literary device you will use
• Provide two examples where this device proves
  your interpretation of the quotation
• Explain how and why the literary devices and
  examples you have chosen support your
  interpretation of the quotation!!!
• Note you may wish to divide this into two
  paragraphs

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How should I organize my essay?

• Conclusion
• Restate the quotation/your interpretation of the
  quotation
• Briefly summarize the points you made in your
  essay this is NOT the time to introduce new
  information!
• Provide an expansion statement did you learn
  something from reading this work? How does it
  relate to the quotation?