Regents How-To:Critical Lens

Step One: Read Directions and Lens Carefully

•“It is the responsibility of the writer to expose our many grievous faults and failures and to hold up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams, for the purpose of improvement.” – John Steinbeck

Step Two: Begin Pre-write

•Outline•Graphic Organizer•Flow chart•Etc.

Step Three: Interpret Quotation

•This means that literature must help people improve their morals by showing them their flaws and exposing their innermost thoughts. There may be, of course, literature that promotes negative values, but classic literature’s intent has generally been to promote the unity of society, even if that literature criticizes a society.

Step Four: Agree/Disagree with Quotation*Do not use “I”

•This is true/not true.▫ (It may be easier to disagree. Think and look at the lens closely)

Step Five: Pick two pieces of literature that support/refute the quotation.•Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, a play by

William Shakespeare•A Raisin in the Sun, a play by Lorraine

Hansberry▫For the June Regents, you can choose to

write about ANY piece of legitimate high school literature: poems, short stories, plays, novels, etc.

▫It is strongly suggested that you write about literature you were taught.

Step Six: Determine Textual Evidence/Literary Terms that will support your argument.

•Hamlet▫Hamlet’s procrastination in killing his Uncle Claudius

Tragic flaw▫Hamlet not killing Claudius when he had the chance

Dramatic irony•A Raisin in the Sun

▫Walter’s intense desire to improve his social and financial status. Characterization

▫Mama, in the beginning, not listening to the dreams of her children Symbolism: little plant

Step Seven: Connect literature/terms directly to quotation interpretation.

•Hamlet▫Hamlet’s tragic flaw causes him to procrastinate.

Readers learn not to procrastinate. ▫Claudius refuses to give up what he earns as a result

of his sin. Readers learn the importance of morality, as well as see how this furthers Hamlet’s fall.

•A Raisin in the Sun▫Walter’s flaws are revealed through the intense

nature of his character. His need to improve his life is a universal desire.

▫Mama’s intentions for her children are for them to achieve their dreams – she needed to learn not to push her ideals on them.

Step Eight: Begin Writing!

•Introduction•Two Body Paragraphs•Conclusion•Model Paper