how to write a critical lens essay

Writing a “Lens” Essay

This handout provides suggestions for writing papers or responses that ask you to analyze a text through the lens of a critical or theoretical secondary source.

Generally, the lens should reveal something about the original or “target” text that may not be otherwise apparent. Alternatively, your analysis may call the validity of the arguments of the lens piece into question, extend the arguments of the lens text, or provoke some other reevaluation of the two texts. Either way, you will be generating a critical “dialogue between texts.”

Reading the Texts

Since you will eventually want to hone in on points of commonality and discord between the two texts, the order and manner in which you read them is crucial.

First, read the lens text to identify the author’s core arguments and vocabulary. Since theoretical or critical texts tend to be dense and complex, it may be helpful to develop an outline of the author’s primary points. According the to Brandeis Writing Program Handbook, a valuable lens essay will “grapple with central ideas” of the lens text, rather than dealing with isolated quotes that may or may not be indicative of the author’s argument as a whole. As such, it’s important to make sure you truly understand and can articulate the author’s main points before proceeding to the target text.

Next, quickly read the target text to develop a general idea of its content. Then, ask yourself: Where do I see general points of agreement or disagreement between the two texts? Which of the lens text’s main arguments could be applied to the target text? It may be easier to focus on one or two of the lens text’s central arguments. 

With these ideas in mind, go back and read the target text carefully, through the theoretical lens, asking yourself the following questions: What are the main components of the lens text and what are their complementary parts in the target text? How can I apply the lens author’s theoretical vocabulary or logic to instances in the target text? Are there instances where the lens text’s arguments don’t or can’t apply? Why is this? It is helpful to keep a careful, written record of page numbers, quotes, and your thoughts and reactions as you read.

Since this type of paper deals with a complex synthesis of multiple sources, it is especially important to have a clear plan of action before you begin writing. It may help to group quotes or events by subject matter, by theme, or by whether they support, contradict, or otherwise modify the arguments in the lens text. Hopefully, common themes, ideas, and arguments will begin to emerge and you can start drafting!

Writing the Introduction and Thesis

As your paper concerns the complex interactions between multiple texts, it is important to explain what you will be doing the introduction. Make sure to clearly introduce the lens text and its specific arguments you will be employing or evaluating. Then introduce the target text and its specific themes or events you will be addressing in your analysis. 

These introductions of texts and themes should lead into some kind of thesis statement. Though there are no set guidelines or conventions for what this thesis should look like, make sure it states the points of interaction you will be discussing, and explains what your critical or theoretical analysis of the target text reveals about the texts.

Writing the Body

The body is where you apply specific arguments from the lens text to specific quotes or instances in the target text. In each case, make sure to discuss what the lens text reveals about the target text (or vice versa). Use the lens text’s vocabulary and logical framework to examine the target text, but make sure to be clear about where ideas in the paper are coming from (the lens text, the target text, your own interpretation etc.) so the reader doesn’t become confused.

By engaging in this type of analysis, you are “entering an academic conversation” and inserting your own ideas. As this is certainly easier said than done, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein’s concept of “Templates” may prove useful. In their book, They Say, I Say, the authors lay out numerous templates to help writers engage in unfamiliar forms of critical academic discourse. They encourage students to use the templates in any capacity they find useful, be it filling them in verbatim, modifying and extending them, or using them as an analytical entry point, then discarding them completely.

Here I modify their basic template (They say ________. I say ________.), to create lens essay-specific templates to help you get started:

The author of the lens text lays out a helpful framework for understanding instances of ________ in the target text. Indeed, in the target text, one sees ________, which could be considered an example of ________ by the lens author’s definition. Therefore, we see a point of commonality concerning ________. This similarity reveals ________.

According to the lens text _______ tends to occur in situations where _______. By the lens author’s definition, ________ in the target text could be considered an instance of _______. However, this parallel is imperfect because _______. As such, we become aware of ________.

One sees ________ in the target text, which calls the lens author’s argument that ________ into question because ________.

If the author of the lens text is correct that ________, one would expect to see ________ in the target text. However, ________ actually takes place, revealing a critical point of disagreement. This discord suggests that ________. This issue is important because ________.

Wrapping Things up and Drawing Conclusions

By this point in your essay, you should be drawing conclusions regarding what your lens analysis reveals about the texts in questions, or the broader issues the texts address. Make sure to explain why these discoveries are important for the discipline in which you are writing. In other words, what was the point of carrying out your analysis in the first place? Happy lens writing!

Brandeis UWS Writing Handbook, 70.

UWS Handbook, 76.

Birkenstein, Cathy and Gerald Graff, They Say, I Say. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2007), 2-3.

Mailing Address

Pomona College 333 N. College Way Claremont , CA 91711

Get in touch

Give back to pomona.

Part of   The Claremont Colleges

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.

• Plagiarism Report
• Unlimited Revisions
• 24/7 Support

• Generating Ideas
• Drafting and Revision
• Sources and Evidence
• Style and Grammar
• Specific to Creative Arts
• Specific to Humanities
• Specific to Sciences
• Specific to Social Sciences
• CVs, Résumés and Cover Letters
• Graduate School Applications
• Other Resources
• Hiatt Career Center
• University Writing Center
• Classroom Materials
• Course and Assignment Design
• UWP Instructor Resources
• Writing Intensive Requirement
• Criteria and Learning Goals
• Course Application for Instructors
• What to Know about UWS
• Teaching Resources for WI
• FAQ for Instructors
• FAQ for Students
• Journals on Writing Research and Pedagogy
• University Writing Program
• Degree Programs
• Majors and Minors
• Graduate Programs
• The Brandeis Core
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Brandeis Online
• Brandeis International Business School
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Heller School for Social Policy and Management
• Rabb School of Continuing Studies
• Precollege Programs
• Faculty and Researcher Directory
• Brandeis Library
• Academic Calendar
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Summer School
• Financial Aid
• Research that Matters
• Resources for Researchers
• Brandeis Researchers in the News
• Provost Research Grants
• Recent Awards
• Faculty Research
• Student Research
• Centers and Institutes
• Office of the Vice Provost for Research
• Office of the Provost
• Housing/Community Living
• Campus Calendar
• Student Engagement
• Clubs and Organizations
• Community Service
• Dean of Students Office
• Orientation
• Spiritual Life
• Graduate Student Affairs
• Directory of Campus Contacts
• Division of Creative Arts
• Brandeis Arts Engagement
• Rose Art Museum
• Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts
• Theater Arts Productions
• Brandeis Concert Series
• Public Sculpture at Brandeis
• Women's Studies Research Center
• Creative Arts Award
• Our Jewish Roots
• The Framework for the Future
• Mission and Diversity Statements
• Distinguished Faculty
• Nobel Prize 2017
• Notable Alumni
• Administration
• Working at Brandeis
• Commencement
• Offices Directory
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Friends
• Parents & Families
• 75th Anniversary
• New Students
• Shuttle Schedules
• Support at Brandeis

Writing Resources

Lens essay overview.

Note: this handout is available for download in  PDF format and as an MS Word  DOCX that instuctors can customize.

Close Reading

While lens essays consist of more than close reading, they can’t function without it! In fact, in lens analysis you will perform two different, but related, forms of close reading:

• Primary text – Observing tone, diction, characters, plot, style, structure, themes, etc.
• Lens text – Identifying key terms, argument’s structure, how it uses evidence, etc.

In the lens essay, you will draw connections between your observations about textual details and a larger claim about the text as a whole (like you did with your close reading paper), but the lens will restrict your vision to ideas relevant to the lens.

Engagement with a Scholarly Text

Lens argumentation helps you build skills necessary to research writing, including:

• Engaging critically with a school of thought or critical theory
• Constructing a conversation between two or more different texts

How to Read a Lens Text

• Read using a pen, pencil, or highlighter to mark up the text.
• Annotate: write down questions and comments; note key terms and important passages.
• Use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words.
• Read slowly and carefully, sentence by sentence, and re-read as often as necessary.
• Identify the topic of each paragraph and how the paragraphs relate to one another. Consider drawing up a reverse outline – your own outline of the written text.
• Distinguish between the voice of the lens author and the voice of the evidence the lens text analyzes.
• Don’t sweat it if you don’t understand every single nuance!

Types of Lens Theses

• Lens reveals something in the primary text that you would not recognize without the lens.
• Primary text reveals something in the lens that you would not recognize without the primary text.
• Lens text builds on the ideas of the primary text.
• Primary text builds on the ideas of the lens.
• Primary text is an example of the lens’s ideas in a specific, different, or unexpected way that clarifies the theory of the lens
• Lens text is revelatory but cannot account for everything in the primary text.
• Primary text is revelatory but cannot account for everything in the lens.
• Primary text changes, advances, extends, redirects (etc.) the theory of the lens.
• Lens text theorizes the scenario of the primary text, which requires understanding.
• Lens text misunderstands a specific element of the primary text
• Primary text misunderstands a specific element of the lens text
• Locate inconsistencies in the text
• Look for value and agreements
• Put the two texts into conversation
• Pay a lot of attention to both texts
• Understand and summarize the heart of the lens text
• Attend to what interests you
• Develop a reading that would not be possible without putting the lens texts together
• Dismiss the lens text altogether
• Fall in love with the lens text
• Compare and contrast
• Focus on just one text
• Treat a peripheral part of the lens like it is the central idea ...
• ... Nor should you feel the need to account for every aspect of a complex lens text.
• Forget that you are writing from the perspective of the lens or forget to address the text by quoting and paraphrasing
• Develop a reading that would be determined by just one text alone

Example: Introduction From a Successful Lens Essay

For the United States, and especially in New York, the middle of the 19th century meant an increase in immigration, which lead to a more diverse society and a huge rise in the population of cities. Consequently, a belief that prostitution was growing became widespread throughout society. Though prostitution was not officially illegal and most public officials tolerated the practice, many were still very opposed to the idea and thought prostitution was a shameful line of work. Moreover, prostitutes, especially those who were less affluent, could still get into trouble for disorderly conduct. In 1836, Helen Jewett, a somewhat “high-class” prostitute who worked in a brothel owned by Rosina Townsend, was found dead in her room. A frequent visitor to the brothel, Richard P. Robinson, alias Frank Rivers, was suspected of the murder and put on trial. From the beginning, the Jewett murder trial was well publicized and quickly became a contested issue throughout the area. However, when communications theorist Robert Hariman’s theories of “social knowledge” and “performance” are applied to the Jewett case, it becomes clear that the trial was not really about reaching a verdict, but rather about dramatizing, emotionalizing and over sexualizing the women of the brothel in a performance that addressed various societal assumptions about prostitutes and the female gender in general. The discrepancy between how female characters were portrayed throughout the Robinson trial reveals the inconsistencies in how women were perceived and treated within mid-nineteenth century society, a social tension that stemmed from multiple, competing ideas of gender.

Credit: Brandeis University Writing Center, 2020

• Resources for Students
• Writing Intensive Instructor Resources
• Research and Pedagogy

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.

Related Articles

How to write an essay with a thesis statement.

How to Write an Introduction to an Analytical Essay

How to Write an Essay on Conflict

How to Write a Controlling Idea Essay

How to Write an Anecdotal Essay

How to Write an Introduction to a Reflective Essay

List of Voice Types in Literature

Getting writing help is so easy with us

Choose the type, level, urgency, and length to start off

Critical Lens Essay: Writing Process Explored in Just One Article

Back on your studies again, aren't you? Well, what is it that you are looking for now? Ah, a critical lens essay. That may sound easy, alright, but you might feel that it poses a massive challenge, and rightly so. Don't you worry, though, because once you are done reading this helpful guide, you will have a very clear picture of how to write your critical lens essay. So, grab a cup of coffee and make yourself comfortable because we're about to begin.

What is a Critical Lens Essay?

Quite a lot of students these days keep asking themselves the same question: "what is a critical lens essay?" The critical lens essay is a kind of the critical analysis essay which focuses on the interpretation of a direct quote from a piece of literature. That may not seem like a good explanation, but in this case, it doesn't need to be too extensive. Writing a critical lens essay is not about throwing theory terms left and right, it's about actually putting the right words into the proper order.

The point is that many famous literary pieces are frequently quoted quite extensively, but the problem is that individuals doing that may not necessarily be familiar with any background information, nor are they aware of the context to which the quote belongs. The way people citing quotes understand them is very much different from their author's intended meaning and, as a result, such quotes end up living their own independent lives. Another extreme is that many people in their speeches and writings support their viewpoint with quotations, which are also taken out of context, thus gradually changing their original meaning in their audience's collective mind. This is why it is always a good idea to actually look at a quote through a critical lens, interpreting it with regards to its context and other circumstances which determine its meaning. But how do you go about writing an essay like that? Critical lens essays are known to have a very rigorous structure, and itis very important to follow it to the letter. So, let us have a closer look at the process of writing .

How to Write a Critical Lens Essay Step by Step

Let us look into the essential steps you're bound to take while writing a critical lens essay. Indeed, they may differ depending on the case, but we suggest coming up with and sticking to the general plan, which is the key to writings an excellent critical lens essay.

The first thing you should do before starting on your essay is find an unusual or particularly famous and widely misunderstood quotation. Also, make sure to find a source your quote is taken from to spare your readers the trouble of finding it by themselves. Once that has been taken care of, it's time to move on to observing other equally essential formalities.

Defining critical lens essay format

It is wrong to assume that critical lens essays are all written in accordance with just one format or citation style. The format of your essay will depend primarily on the citation style that your professor will require you to adhere to; MLA, APA, Chicago Turabian and Harvard being the most common ones. So, check it out with your professor and find a respective post in our blog to know what the standards of your particular citation style are. Keep in mind that your professor may require you to make certain modifications to the requested citation style. For instance, an APA style paper is supposed to have a title page, but some professors mayo specifically instruct their students to avoid those. Therefore, to be on the safe side, we recommend you always take note of all the modifications your professor may require you to do.

The typical structure of a critical lens essay

At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing extraordinary about the structure of the critical lens essay: an introduction containing a thesis, three body paragraphs designed to support said thesis, and a conclusion meant to restate the arguments and summarize the results of your study. However, in the majority of cases, the structure of each of these individual parts is clearly predetermined.

Critical lens essay introduction

Your title page (if requested by your citation style), abstract, and outline (if required by your professor) are followed by the introductory paragraph of your essay . It is supposed to start with an attention getter, which in our case should be the quote you're working on. Therefore, make sure you choose a memorable phrase, such that is an arguable yet widely recognized and impressive one.

Your next sentence should explain the quotation or provide your incentives to select it and/or the context to which it belongs. Then comes the culmination of your introductory paragraph: the thesis . Claim something disputive about the quote, the simplest thing here being agreeing or disagreeing with it, and then prove whether or not it is right. You may also state something about the context of your quote or its actual meaning, which can be different from the widely recognized one.

Provide one more sentence, in which you announce your arguments by explaining how you are going to prove your point. This part may sometimes be longer than just one sentence, but for the sake of complying with the classical structure of the critical lens essay, it is better to fit this information into one sentence. However, you should refrain from making it too long and taking up an entire page. If it is absolutely necessary, it is better to split it into several sentences instead of piling up a pyramid made up of multiple subordinate clauses.

Exploring critical lens essay's body paragraphs

Being the significant part of your essay , the body typically comprises three paragraphs, of which the first ones are meant to provide the reader with a structure, which somewhat replicates the introduction.

Before explaining your thoughts in detail, it's always a good idea to start with a literary element, such as a quote, citation or literary device, which is meant to support your thesis. The last paragraph is supposed to convey the author's interpretation of the quote in its relation to the evidence analyzed. In the classic critical lens essay, the body paragraphs are meant to have four sentences each. However, if the essay is too long to limit each of its body paragraphs to just this amount, it should replicate the primary structure of the classic essay by expanding each of the sentences to include several new ones, if necessary. Basically, don't limit yourself to just this plan if you feel like you have something more to say. Keep it concise, though. Every sentence should be ripe with information.

How to develop a critical lens essay conclusion

The conclusion is a very important part of your critical lens essay because it summarizes all the evidence and shows how your whole text body supports the thesis . Be sure to include all these elements in your essay's conclusion, because it's precisely the thing that leaves the final and lasting impression upon your reader. Work hard on it!

Critical Lens Essay Topics Examples

The examples of critical lens essay topics may be diverse, but we will just provide a couple of ideas for you to consider. A very widely cited quotation by the ancient Roman poet Juvenal goes like this: "Mens sana in corpore sano." Torn out of its context, it has been used to support various and even diverse viewpoints of the people who do not even know or care where the quote derives from. This quote is most frequently translated into English as follows: "A healthy mind in a healthy body." Some people interpret this by claiming that a healthy mind can only exist in a healthy body, while others, who subscribe to the notion of the mind being primary, maintain that if the mind is healthy, then it will create the conditions for the body to remain healthy. To a certain extent, one can agree with either of these points, but what did the author actually mean by it? Isn't that's an excellent topic for your critical lens essay?

Let's take another widely quoted statement "Curiosity killed the cat." Not a lot of people know that the prolonged version of this saying actually goes on to tell that "satisfaction brought it back." In this case, the second part about the cat being revived is missing, thus making it an interesting topic for your critical lens essay.

Here are a few more useful tips on how to write an excellent critical lens essay:

Do not try to start writing your essay by developing the introduction - work on your body paragraphs first. And it is not until after you are done putting them together that you can proceed with your introduction and conclusion. It is much easier that way, since in your introduction and conclusion you will have to refer to your body paragraphs, and thus it is better to write them by then.

For your convenience, we have broken down the whole process of writing the critical lens essay into 10 easy-to-follow steps:

• Choose your topic.
• Work out a thesis.
• Conduct the necessary research .
• Write your body paragraphs.
• Come up with your introduction and conclusion.
• Design your cover page and reference list.
• Format your paper.
• Do the spell check (if necessary).
• Get some rest. At this point, it is a good idea to have the paper proofread by somebody else.
• Proofread the paper by yourself for the last time.

Now, you are ready to submit a perfectly structured critical lens essay.

If you are still not a hundred percent sure that you will cope with the task, you may contact our customer support team and ask them for help. It won't be hard at all to work out an acceptable solution for you. Quite a few of our clients know it from their own experience. Join our team and take the first step on your journey to success.

Subscribe to get free samples

Christopher

More than 176 testimonials from clients make up a 9.6 / 10 rate of success , making our organization one of the best in the industry.

"You made my essay completely refined! I've never thought there can be so many mistakes in my writings! You are real professionals, will request your editors' help more."

"How is it possible if I adore reading but writing any reviews is real torture for me? Your writers just saved me! You are genius! Thx"

"I hate asking for help but desperate times call for desperate measures. I recently got a nice job and while I was getting used to it, I got behind on some homework. Your service got me three As in a row! All the essays were nicely written, and although I had to ask for a minor revision on one of them, it's nothing compared to the overall quality."

"My powerpoint presentation amazed everyone, awesome job! You have a very attentive and creative team. Speechless as always."

"Got an A for the calculus paper you did for me, I’ve never thought it could be this easy. I was wary of ordering something online, but you guys changed my mind. Received everything even before the deadline and went to sleep without any worries! You’re brilliant."

"You saved my life! I did not expect a high quality essay within 6 hours, but you made it. Will use you guys again"

At LanguageHumanities, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

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.

AS FEATURED ON:

Related Articles

• What Is the Connection between Critical Thinking and Writing?
• What Are the Different Types of Literary Essays?
• What Is an Informal Essay?
• What Is a Personal Narrative Essay?
• Does my Personal Essay Have to be Truthful?
• What is the Difference Between Persuasive Writing and Objective Writing?
• What is a Five Paragraph Essay?

Discussion Comments

Post your comments.

• Woman holding a book

• Essay Guides
• Other Essays

Critical Lens Essay: Make an Exciting Story Out of a Single Quote

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Main Academic Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Research Paper Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

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!

Are you a bit confused? Why won’t you leave homework assignments like critical essays to the team of professional academic writers who serve student's needs 24/7!

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

You may also like

How to write a critical lens essay?

In some stage of high school or even college, we may be assigned with writing a critical lens essay. As suggested by its name, such essays demand good reading, writing and analytical skills in a controlled literary environment:

So, what exactly is a critical lens essay? While it might sound confusing at first, we have provided explanations and details in a critical lens essay. This article will also cover the step-by-step guide of how to write a critical lens essay. Critical essays offer a perspective on a specific subject which generally includes art or quotes. When writing a critical lens essay, a student is provided with a quote or piece of art to be analysed. The analysis should be based on literary sources like books and arguments to support or oppose the notion. You must understand that this is not similar to an analytical or comparative essay. Critical lens essays help to measure the analytical skills of a student. It is done by examining how well the student can deconstruct the argument and its validity and the appropriateness of the literary devices in literary terms. Therefore, how the student structures the essay will either make or break it. It is often more than just analysing the interpretation of the given quote.

The goals: This section will help you understand the importance of such assignments. Though every institution will provide varied instructions, these general tips will surely help you out when you are working on your essay.

Exploring the various themes and the elements of well-known masterpieces with a contextual lens is the ultimate goal of writing a critical lens essay. The student or the author should successfully defend the quote or text’s central claim that is being explored in the essay. It can be achieved by linking specific events mentioned in the text that match the initial argument and fitting them into respective categories.

Practical applications: These assignments aim to test and improve the reading and analytical skills of a student. It makes critical lens essays to be an advanced form of analysis. The ultimate goal of such essays is to provide relevant arguments regarding your position on the quote with the help of several examples from literary sources that support the logic behind your stance. Such assignments generally analyse quotes from famous texts from a particular piece of art or culture. Analysing non-theoretical pieces is also possible as long as a theoretical approach is being adopted. Critical lens essays are quite philosophical and can lead to several discoveries relating to the work that is being analysed and within oneself. The author’s expectation while doing a critical lens analysis will depend on the complexity of the assigned text. Several vital aspects are needed to be covered that include symbolism, similes, metaphors, and various historical themes that characterise the use of figurative language. Effective evaluation and identification of the main idea reflect your understanding; however, you should not be afraid of exploring lesser-known standpoints as these can prove to be quite interesting for the lecturer since they are already bored of reading the same interpretation multiple times.

In essence, a student will need to assess a quote and judge its substantiality based on the given circumstance. Though it might seem quite simple at first, it can be quite difficult to analyse someone else’s point of view with supporting arguments cohesively. It also allows the instructor to test the student’s literary knowledge and write quality essays on several topics exploring literary elements and tools. This task gives the student complete freedom to explore their creativity as they can express their stance and thoughts on the matter while implementing critical thinking to explain the interpretation to the readers. While many students try to validate many opinionated points to leave a deep impression on the reader, many consider it a cliché. However, in many cases, it is best to give an honest opinion instead of arguing and defending something that you do not necessarily believe in. Remember, when you are arguing about something you believe in, it leaves room for improvements since it interests you. Do not be afraid to include less known opinions since it leaves room for exploration of the controversy.

A quote is only a tool that allows the author to explore the underlying theme with a sharper focus that they choose to highlight. Several paths can help in analysing and interpreting the text.

The format of a critical lens essay: Unless specified otherwise, a critical lens essay follows the requirements of academic writing. If your institution has prescribed no specific structure, stick to the basic structure of introduction, body and conclusion. The critical analysis should be developed in the body section in the case of a critical lens essay. Use the introduction section to introduce the quote to the readers and include a hook sentence to encourage the readers to read on. Finalise all the ideas that you introduced in the essay in the conclusion section. Be mindful of the word count and the references. The correct format of a critical lens essay requires the underlining and capitalisation of the book titles. The essay should be written objectively without reflecting on the author’s personal opinions. Clear and verifiable evidence should be introduced to support any claim. The author should also avoid using any personal pronoun and instead address using words like readers, audience etc.

Critical lens essay quotes: If you are looking for quotes that will become the base of your essay, here are a few critical essay quotes that can be used.

• No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an unchartered land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit. – Helen Keller
• You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated. – Maya Angelou
• Life is a succession of lessons that must be lived to be understood. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. –Abraham Lincoln
• Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. – Mary Kay Ash
• I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. – Thomas Jefferson
• A successful man can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. – David Brinkley
• The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting. – Walt Disney
• Failure is another steppingstone to greatness. – Oprah Winfrey
• To me, business isn’t about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It’s about being true to yourself, your ideas and focusing on the essentials. – Richard Branson
• You can’t please everyone, and you can’t make everyone like you. – Katie Couric
• Whoever is happy will make others happy too. – Anne Frank
• Even in darkness, it is possible to create light. – Elie Wiesel
• Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson
• The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller
• The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Nelson Mandela
• Too often, we’re taught that we have to compete or that someone else’s failure is our success, but we can all rise together and win. – Michelle Obama
• We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. – Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. – Steve Jobs
• When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

How to write a critical lens essay? Teachers and professors quite favour critical lens essays since they can effectively demonstrate the students’ critical thinking abilities while also reflecting on the depth of their understanding of the topic. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write a critical lens essay:

• Select an appealing quote. Mention it in the introduction section and include some information about its author. Include a few sentences before your quote to emphasise its significance.
• Rewrite the quote using your own words to explain and turn it into an impactful thesis statement.
• Make your stance on the topic clear to the readers in the thesis.
• Look for and mention two literary sources that you can use to prove your opinion. Ensure the chosen sources are relevant to the chosen quote.
• Discuss the first literary evidence in the first body paragraph and ensure a connection between the thesis and the text from the source so that the literal example supports the quote.
• Follow the previous step for the rest of the body paragraphs.
• Summarise everything you have written in the conclusion section. Then, again, prove the connection between the thesis and the arguments using the quote and the thesis.

Tips on writing a critical lens essay:

• The author will need to use two literary sources to reflect on the underlying theme of the quote:

Primarily, a critical lens essay analyses and explores literary works based on quotations. In the majority of the cases, the specific quotes would be provided by the instructor. But in some cases, students are asked to choose the second literary source from a list of different selections. In this case, students will need a good grip and understanding of the initial quote to develop compelling arguments to support it. Let us take the example of ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold’ by Garcia Marquez and ‘House of Spirits’ by Isabel Allende. Though it is safe to say that both of these literary pieces are not related perfectly, however, both the pieces have a similar time setting and focuses on the theme of turmoil in South America which are often known to depict a similar situation where the protagonists and the antagonists highlight important symbolisms among locals. When you can successfully arrange these elements, the audience would be able to participate actively and learn the facts about the topic they are presented with.

• Sum up the idea brought forward in the paragraph in the final sentence of each paragraph:

It is good to draft rough ideas separately to have a clear and structured outline of a paragraph. It provides a great boost to the organisational efforts of the author by allowing proper and logical structuring of the themes and the elements. This gives a cursive flow to your critical lens essay, making it much attractive for the reader. It also helps the audience understand the concepts very easily when they read the essay. The introduction section should be reflected in the body sections to avoid any confusion among the readers. Your analysis should make it clear to the readers whether you support the writer’s quote or not, with all the supporting elements of the body paragraph thoroughly explored concisely.

The outline of a critical lens essay: Before you start worrying about the outline of a critical lens essay, you first need to understand its basic structure and what it looks like since most of the essays follow a similar structure apart from a few minute changes here and there.

Introduction: Similar to any other type of paragraph, the introduction is used to analyse the literary context. The essay’s author will also use this section to state the quote that is to be analysed, otherwise also known as the critical lens statement. The quote should be stated word to word, including any quotation marks to grab the reader’s attention. The introduction will also contain the background of the author. In the case of anonymous authors, it is necessary to include the quotes as they might be taboo, which makes the author hide their identity.

Body paragraphs: The body paragraphs are usually where the analysis of the quote takes place. Essay writers should provide their personal interpretation of the quote and declare if they support the notion or not. Among several other things, the author should be able to analyse the purpose of the quote in the context of its particular era. This section should be able to perfectly convey the logic behind the specific standpoint with the help of well-structured sentences. The writer should also mention the author and title of the literary sources intended to be used, including the literary elements that connect to the quote and a detailed analysis of this connection to highlight and align with the respective literary sources.

The body section should be divided among four or more paragraphs, which should be further subdivided into respective sections depending on the number of literary elements the writer wishes to explore. The body section introduces the thesis statement coupled with the detailed analysis of the literary pieces chosen in the previous paragraph. It is very important that the writer effectively uses intricate examples from the literary sources to highlight his/her understanding of the quote. It helps the readers have the same thought process and connection when they analyse the quote’s context and themes.

Start each paragraph of the body section with a topic sentence that can draw the readers’ attention, which is, after all, its primary purpose. The readers should be able to find comprehensive information on the subject which covers all aspects in detail. It is not a good idea to introduce new information to the readers in the conclusion and gives out the impression that the author was not able to adequately accommodate it in the body section.

Conclusion: This is the final section of the critical lens essay. The main goal of this section is to summarise all the main points of the analysis in a comprehensive manner. The author should also restate the quote and its author in this section. Quotation marks should be used to mark the quote. It is a very important section of the essay since it shows the author’s level of understanding of the topic’s key aspects. However, remember not to introduce any new idea or concept in this section which is a very common issue. Nevertheless, the conclusion section is used to identify whether the writer agrees or not with the quote. Try to summarise your arguments from the previous sections into concise sentences.

Example of a critical lens essay: Understanding how to write a critical lens essay can be a bit difficult to write only by following written guidelines. Therefore, here is an example of a critical lens essay for your reference:

Life is much more than just the time a person spends on this planet. It is an amalgamation of emotions, experiences, and challenges that define individuals and fill their lives with meaning and purpose. Abraham Lincoln once said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” This statement holds quite true. Humans are born on this planet with a purpose and a goal behind their existence which they have an entire lifetime to discover. Thich Nhat and Mark Twain proves the validity of this idea,

Human life is complicated at every level. The body first reaches its full potential and then slowly starts to decline. This is an inescapable part of human life, one that everyone is familiar with. On a spiritual level, human life is more than just birth and death, and every individual inspires a unique story through their interesting and eventful life. Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails.” It is usually the bold decisions that fill life with meaning and memories. Living your life is much more than just going with the flow. It is about introspection and realisation of the world and your ability to coexist with it. As Thich Nhat once famously said, “Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive.” It is evident with many people living their daily monotony stuck at a dead-end job that they don’t even like to survive and exist, making life an unpleasant routine. However, life can become much more if you decide to live on your terms and enjoy every second of your life. Risks and challenges often make for the most memorable experiences that enrich your lives, and it is what matters in the very end that you let your true self take over.

Therefore, we need to fill each second of our lives with kindness and empathy. Living also means making tough decisions and taking bold actions to aid your struggle for self-realisation and development. The spark in life is only seen when you follow your dreams and discover the depth of who you are.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)

What is the basic structure of a critical lens essay.

Much like an academic essay, a critical lens essay consists of an introduction, body sections and the conclusion, apart from a few minor changes..

What is the length of a critical lens essay?

A critical lens essay consists of one introductory paragraph, four to five paragraphs in the body section and one paragraph for the conclusion section.

Total Assignment Help Incase, you are looking for an opportunity to work from home and earn big money. TotalAssignmenthelp Affiliate program is the best choice for you. 

Do visit : https://www.totalassignmenthelp.com/affiliate-program for more details

Total Assignment help is an  assignment help Online  service available in 9 countries. Our local operations span across Australia, US, UK, South east Asia and the Middle East. With extensive experience in academic writing, Total assignment help has a strong track record delivering quality writing at a nominal price that meet the unique needs of students in our local markets.

We have specialized network of highly trained writers, who can provide best possible assignment help solution for all your needs.  Next time you are looking for assignment help, make sure to give us a try.

Looking for Assignment Help from Top Experts ?

Get the best Assignment Help from leading experts from the field of academics with assured onetime, 100% plagiarism free and top Quality delivery.

Thomas Smith

Related posts.

Refer To Argumentative Essay Examples To Write An Impeccable Argumentative Essay

Write Essays By Using Essay Planning Tips And Techniques

Learn How To Cite An Interview In Chicago Style With Examples

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

AFS Programs

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.

By Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for studying aging, genetics, and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics. His scientific research has been published in the most reputable international magazines. Alex holds a BA in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Southern California , and a TEFL certification from The Boston Language Institute.

• EssayBasics.com
• Pay For Essay
• Write My Essay
• Homework Writing Help
• Essay Editing Service
• Thesis Writing Help
• Write My College Essay
• Do My Essay
• Term Paper Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Write My Research Paper
• Assignment Writing Help
• Essay Writing Help
• Call Now! (USA) Login Order now
• EssayBasics.com Call Now! (USA) Order now
• Writing Guides

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 Critical Essay

Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

• An Introduction to Punctuation

Olivia Valdes was the Associate Editorial Director for ThoughtCo. She worked with Dotdash Meredith from 2017 to 2021.

• B.A., American Studies, Yale University

A critical essay is a form of academic writing that analyzes, interprets, and/or evaluates a text. In a critical essay, an author makes a claim about how particular ideas or themes are conveyed in a text, then supports that claim with evidence from primary and/or secondary sources.

In casual conversation, we often associate the word "critical" with a negative perspective. However, in the context of a critical essay, the word "critical" simply means discerning and analytical. Critical essays analyze and evaluate the meaning and significance of a text, rather than making a judgment about its content or quality.

What Makes an Essay "Critical"? 

Imagine you've just watched the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." If you were chatting with friends in the movie theater lobby, you might say something like, "Charlie was so lucky to find a Golden Ticket. That ticket changed his life." A friend might reply, "Yeah, but Willy Wonka shouldn't have let those raucous kids into his chocolate factory in the first place. They caused a big mess."

These comments make for an enjoyable conversation, but they do not belong in a critical essay. Why? Because they respond to (and pass judgment on) the raw content of the movie, rather than analyzing its themes or how the director conveyed those themes.

On the other hand, a critical essay about "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" might take the following topic as its thesis: "In 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,' director Mel Stuart intertwines money and morality through his depiction of children: the angelic appearance of Charlie Bucket, a good-hearted boy of modest means, is sharply contrasted against the physically grotesque portrayal of the wealthy, and thus immoral, children."

This thesis includes a claim about the themes of the film, what the director seems to be saying about those themes, and what techniques the director employs in order to communicate his message. In addition, this thesis is both supportable  and  disputable using evidence from the film itself, which means it's a strong central argument for a critical essay .

Characteristics of a Critical Essay

Critical essays are written across many academic disciplines and can have wide-ranging textual subjects: films, novels, poetry, video games, visual art, and more. However, despite their diverse subject matter, all critical essays share the following characteristics.

• Central claim . All critical essays contain a central claim about the text. This argument is typically expressed at the beginning of the essay in a thesis statement , then supported with evidence in each body paragraph. Some critical essays bolster their argument even further by including potential counterarguments, then using evidence to dispute them.
• Evidence . The central claim of a critical essay must be supported by evidence. In many critical essays, most of the evidence comes in the form of textual support: particular details from the text (dialogue, descriptions, word choice, structure, imagery, et cetera) that bolster the argument. Critical essays may also include evidence from secondary sources, often scholarly works that support or strengthen the main argument.
• Conclusion . After making a claim and supporting it with evidence, critical essays offer a succinct conclusion. The conclusion summarizes the trajectory of the essay's argument and emphasizes the essays' most important insights.

Tips for Writing a Critical Essay

Writing a critical essay requires rigorous analysis and a meticulous argument-building process. If you're struggling with a critical essay assignment, these tips will help you get started.

• Practice active reading strategies . These strategies for staying focused and retaining information will help you identify specific details in the text that will serve as evidence for your main argument. Active reading is an essential skill, especially if you're writing a critical essay for a literature class.
• Read example essays . If you're unfamiliar with critical essays as a form, writing one is going to be extremely challenging. Before you dive into the writing process, read a variety of published critical essays, paying careful attention to their structure and writing style. (As always, remember that paraphrasing an author's ideas without proper attribution is a form of plagiarism .)
• Resist the urge to summarize . Critical essays should consist of your own analysis and interpretation of a text, not a summary of the text in general. If you find yourself writing lengthy plot or character descriptions, pause and consider whether these summaries are in the service of your main argument or whether they are simply taking up space.
• An Introduction to Academic Writing
• Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
• How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• How To Write an Essay
• Tips on How to Write an Argumentative Essay
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• How to Write and Format an MBA Essay
• How To Write a Top-Scoring ACT Essay for the Enhanced Writing Test
• How to Structure an Essay
• How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
• How to Write a Response Paper
• Writing a History Book Review
• Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
• How to Write a Great Book Report
• The Definition of a Review in Composition

• How It Works
• Essay Examples

How to Write a Critical Lens Essay

In many situations, students face the provocation of efficiently devising a critical lens paper. This type of essay represents one of the most common assignments for both high school and university students. A lot of students are puzzled by this task and end up writing a regular essay instead of a critical lens one, which is a pretty serious error. This is why it is essential to be aware of the dissimilarities between ordinary essays and critical lens essays, which is precisely what we want to teach you in this article.

General Information About Critical Lens Essays

Critical lens essays represent a type of paper demanded by a large number of American educational institutions. When you face the task of writing a critical lens essay, you are given a quote, and you are required to convey your individual perspective regarding it. You can either express your agreement or your disagreement with that specific quote. Regardless of whether or not you embrace the statement, you need to offer motivations regarding your personal viewpoint. When drafting a critical lens essay, you need to carry out a rigorous investigation of the quote, while taking into consideration the specific context of the publication from which the statement was extracted. The primary target of this type of paper is to evaluate your analytical thinking abilities. If you want to come up with an efficient critical lens essay, you need to read, comprehend, assess and examine the entirety of the topics that pertain to the context.

When drafting a regular critical lens essay, the primary phase involves creating a proper outline. The outline represents a general picture of the whole paper, presented succinctly. During this step, you need to determine the format of your paper. When writing this type of essay , you need to be enthusiastic enough to reply to the primary topics approached by the particular quote. In case the given fragment entails more than a single topic, you’ll be required to approach every single topic separately. This way, you’ll make sure you address all of the topics in a holistic manner.

The Structure of a Critical Lens Essay

When devising a critical lens essay, you need to attempt to accomplish three different targets, namely clarification, assessment, and interpretation. To ensure that the thoughts you wish to convey have an adequate flow and unity, you need to ponder on your opinions and devise a strategy attentively. Before commencing the writing process itself, you need to undertake a couple of preliminary phases. For example, you need to detect the elements used in literature, such as symbols, vocabulary, topics or style.

First of all, the process of writing a critical lens essay involves offering a response to the perspective presented in the given quote. Afterwards, you ought to attempt to give a justification for that viewpoint using your own words. As expected, this type of paper needs to comprise an introduction, a body as well as a conclusion. The conclusion must summarize the entirety of the topics approached in the body paragraphs of your paper.

The Format of a Critical Lens Essay

The primary phase of the process of drafting a critical lens essay is devising the introduction. Here you need to specify the given quote in particular. In doing so, you are also required to indicate the essay writer as well as the book that contains the quote. For example, the opening phrase of your essay could look like this: “As revealed by Johnson, other individuals define our personality.” In other words, you should mention the quote at the beginning of your introductory statement. After that, you need to reword or paraphrase the quote. In doing so, you are required to acknowledge and interpret its significance. This way, you’ll be able to convey the message of the quote while using your own words. When dealing with a critical lens essay, you ought to avoid using the first person. The best way to go about it is to use the third person.

Once you’ve finished the introduction, you need to take care of the body of the essay. To begin with, you need to reiterate the explanation you’ve offered in the introduction. The use of literary concepts is encouraged. The next phase involves an additional interpretation of the notions of literature. This step has the purpose of making a correlation between your perspective and the context. Here you may also summarize the intrigue of the book that includes the quote. Your target is to make sure that the discussion doesn’t stray from the context.

The Conclusion of a Critical Lens Essay

Last, but not least, you need to devise a conclusion for your essay. Here you are required to summarize the entirety of the issues you’ve approached in the paper. Moreover, you must reiterate your personal perspective and indicate the proof that substantiates it. Make sure you reread the essay requirements before completing this phase.

Popular Critical Lens Essay Topics

• The writer’s hidden message is more important than the visible one.
• The fight between good and evil is present in any book.
• We become better people by prevailing over challenges.
• The primary purpose of literature is to make opposition.
• We can see better when surrounded by darkness.
• Other individuals define our personality.
• Our courage is calculated based on our obedience to ourselves.
• In books, characters are defined by feelings instead of rationality.
• A fascinating tale in one town may be regarded as ludicrous in a different place.
• Books have the purpose of stirring up our hidden emotions.

• How to Write a Process Analysis Essay
• How To Write a Term Paper
• How to Write a Hypothesis
• APA Essay Style Format
• How to Write an Informative Essay Outline

We use cookies to provide our clients with the best possible experience. If You continue to use this site, you agree with our cookie policy. Read more »

• Academic Guidance
• Essay Examples
• Essay Topics
• How To Write
• Other Articles
• Research and Sources
• Synonym Explorations
• Writing Tips

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.

• Place an order
• About Writology
• How it Works
• Buy Custom Essays
• Nursing Writing Services
• Do My Assignment
• Buy a Letter of Recommendation
• Buy Research Papers

How To Structure A Critical Lens Essay

• Author Sandra W.

How Do I Write A Great Critical Lens Essay?

A critical lens essay is a type of analytical essay that focuses on a quotation from a piece of literature. The essay states whether the quotation is valid, and explains why using literary devices. It is an analysis of the quote and uses literary elements and techniques to do so. A critical lens essay requires extensive range of reading, critical thinking and writing. It takes an attentive eye and deep analysis to create an essay that serves its purpose of luring the reader into siding with your point of view. Preparing for the essay is just as crucial as writing it. The following is an outline given by iwriteessays.com on how to write a critical lens essay.

Introduction

• You can begin your introduction with a quote
• The next sentence is about the interpretation of the quote - what does it imply?
• Never use I, we, you, me, my. Rather use people, they, readers, This quote implies  that people
• Is the quote true or/mention the book titles you intend to use? This quote is true in the books … In addition… because. Readers think this quote is true in the books ______ and ____ because?
• Essay writers can mention literary terms, which support the quote in the identified books. For instance conflict, Irony, and setting support the quote. The author may conflict, irony, and setting to show how this quote is true.

Understand the quote- What does it mean? Restate the quote and then write it according to your own understanding.

  Do you think that the interpretation is true or false in the books you identify?

First body paragraph

• Focus on characterization.
• Identify the main character in the story that relates to your understanding of the quote. How does the book depict the character (actions, appearance, direct statements by the author about him/her) How do other characters respond/view/react to this person?
• Relate this information to your thesis.

Second body paragraph

• Focus on the major theme.
• Identify one of the major themes in the book.
• How does the author portray this theme? Use certain examples from the book to verify your point.

Third body paragraph

• Focus on one extra literary element.( irony, setting, foreshadowing)
• Choose the element that best fits your interpretation of the quote and theme.
• Give certain examples from the book to illustrate your ideas (For instance, the setting of a high school, small town, and the nearby desert or the constant clues at the ends of chapters etc.)
• Restate the information contained in your introduction.

Recent Posts

• A Sample Essay on Birds 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Is Homeschooling an Ideal Way... 21-08-2023 0 Comments
• Essay Sample on Man 14-08-2023 0 Comments
• Academic Writing(23)
• Admission Essay(172)
• Book Summaries(165)
• College Tips(312)
• Content Writing Services(1)
• Essay Help(517)
• Essay Writing Help(76)
• Essays Blog(0)
• Example(337)
• Infographics(2)
• Letter Writing(1)
• Outlines(137)
• Photo Essay Assignment(4)
• Resume Writing Tips(62)
• Samples Essays(315)
• Writing Jobs(2)

Stay in touch

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. 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.

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.

CRITICAL ESSAY FROM A TO Z

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.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

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!

Persuasive Essay

The primary purpose of persuasive essay is to persuade or convince the reader that a certain claim or viewpoint is right. A persuasive essay can be written from either a subjective or an objective point of view simply because persuasion is found in a variety…

Full list of the most trending argumentative essay topics

Top-50 topics you would love to work on PLUS useful tips on writing a flawless argumentative essay. As you may already know, an argumentative essay is a writing genre where the student establishes a position on a given or chosen topic and then uses evidence…

• Term Papers for Sale
• Custom Research Paper
• Buy an Annotated Bibliography
• Write My Research Paper for Me
• Ph.D. Dissertation Editing Services
• Write My Personal Statement
• Do My Assignment
• Do My Essay Services
• Article Writing
• Plagiarism check
• Online Assignment Help
• Write my Dissertation
• Admission Essay Writing
• Editing Services
• Term Paper Help
• Law Essay Writing Service
• Buy Nursing Papers
• Calculus Homework Help