THE CRITICAL LENS

You will be reciting this format in your sleep

4 PARAGRAPHS

1 – Introduction

2 – Literature example 1 – Use 1 text and 2 lit

elements

3 – Literature example 2 – Use 1 text and 2 lit

elements

4 - Conclusion

PARAGRAPH 1

Restate the quote and identify the author

Interpret the quote

Agree or disagree

Introduce 2 works of literature you will use to

support your interpretation

PARAGRAPH 2

Introduce 1st piece of literature

Use Title, Author, and Genre

Use 2 literature elements to explain and support

your interpretation of the quote

PARAGRAPH 3

Introduce second piece of literature

Use Title, Author, and Genre

Use 2 literature elements to explain and support

your interpretation

PARAGRAPH 4

1. Restate your opinion about the quote – using different

words from the intro paragraph.

2. Comparison of both literary works – show similarities in

how they support the quote – use different language

from the intro

3. Final thought – this can be an interesting, unique

opinion or summary of ideas presented in the essay

BREAKING IT DOWNPARAGRAPH 1

Example quote

“Literature opens a dark window on the soul, revealing more about

what is bad in human nature than what is good” Author –

Unknown

So you will write:

An unknown author once wrote, “Literature opens a dark window on

the soul, revealing more about what is bad in human nature than

what is good.”

That will be your opening sentence in paragraph 1

BREAKING IT DOWNPARAGRAPH 1 CONTINUED

Reminder – this is the quote: “Literature opens a dark

window on the soul, revealing more about what is bad

in human nature than what is good.”

Interpret the quote like this:

This statement suggests that literature shows

more about the bad aspects of people than the

good.

That will be sentence number 2 in 1st paragraph

BREAKING IT DOWN PARAGRAPH 1 CONTINUED

Next you need to decide if you agree or disagree

For example using the quote from this presentation

you would write:

This critical lens is invalid because literature

shows good and bad sides of human nature

equally, both in terms of people’s personal

qualities and in terms of their actions.

BREAKING IT DOWN PARAGRAPH 1 CONTINUED

Next you introduce both works of literature you

plan to use to support your position

Make sure you introduce the texts using the full

title, author, and genre (i.e. play, short story, poem,

novel….)

BREAKING IT DOWN PARAGRAPH 1 CONTINUED

Introduce the literature like this:

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and Of Mice

and Men, by John Steinbeck, are two novels that

illustrate this balance of good and bad.

TO SUM IT UP PARAGRAPH 1 GOES L IKE THIS

Restate the quote – make sure you name the

author, if known.

Interpret the quote

Agree or disagree

Introduce 2 works of literature …be sure to include

title, author, and genre

THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE

An unknown author once wrote, “Literature opens a dark window on

the soul, revealing more about what is bad in human nature than what

is good.” This statement suggests that literature shows more

about the bad aspects of people than the good. This critical

lens is invalid because literature shows good and bad sides

of human nature equally, both in terms of people’s personal

qualities and in terms of their actions. To Kill a Mockingbird,

by Harper Lee, and Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, are two

novels that illustrate this balance of good and bad.

YOUR TURN

“All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a

struggle between good and evil.”

Author – Unknown

Literary elements – plot, conflict, irony,

characterization, setting, theme, figurative

language , tone, point of view……

EXAMPLE

An unknown author once wrote, “All conflict in literature is, in its

simplest form, a struggle between good and evil.” This is a valid

statement because conflict is a struggle between opposing forces.

The two most universal opposing forces are good and evil. Since

evil has so many different facets (hate, jealousy, and so on), it’s

possible to see that all conflict in literature is the struggle between

some type of good and some form of evil. Two works of literature

that illustrate this fundamental conflict are William Golding’s novel

Lord of the Flies and William Shakespeare’s drama Othello.

PARAGRAPH 2

The topic sentence should support the critical lens

Example:

The characters in To Kill A Mockingbird , a novel by

Harper Lee, represent a wide range of human nature.

With the choice of the word characters – we are

choosing characterization as one of our literary

elements.

PARAGRAPH 2 CONTINUED

Now you need a minimum of 2 examples using characterization

that supports your interpretation and whether you agree or

disagree.

Your next sentences should look like this:

For example, Atticus Finch is a character with very positive

qualities. He is a model of courage and integrity, someone who is

willing to take a stand for what he believes in. It was an easy

choice for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he knew it was

the right thing to do.

PARAGRAPH 2 CONTINUED

Now you need a second example of characterization that

supports your interpretation and whether or not you agree or

disagree.

Your next sentence should look like this:

By contrast, the character of Bob Ewell is evil and violent. He has

many of the worst qualities of human nature. Ewell didn’t send his

children to school and was quite abusive to all of them, especially

his daughter Mayella. He forced her to lie under oath when

testifying against Tom Robinson.

PARAGRAPH 2 CONTINUED

Now you need to introduce the 2nd literary element.

Your next sentence should look like this:

The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird similarly shows both

good and bad through people’s actions.

Notice that is similar to what we wrote in the

introduction.

2ND LIT ELEMENT CON’T

Now you need to give 2 specific examples.

Your 1st one should look like this:

On the negative side, people cruelly and unjustly

accuse Tom Robinson of rape because he is black.

2ND LIT ELEMENT CON’T

Your next example of plot should look like this:

On the positive side, Atticus risks his own safety to

confront a lynch mob outside the jail to ensure the

safety of Tom Robinson until he can get his day in

court.

TO SUM UP PARAGRAPH 2

You now need to have a clincher sentence for the first

text.

You might write the following:

The actions of Atticus prove that in literature we see the

good side of human nature. In contrast, through the story

line and the actions of Bob Ewell, we also read about the

cruel nature that resides deep within the human soul.

PARAGRAPH 2 SHOULD LOOK L IKE THIS :

The characters in To Kill A Mockingbird , a novel by Harper Lee, represent a wide range of human nature.

For example, Atticus Finch is a character with very positive qualities. He is a model of courage and

integrity, someone who is willing to take a stand for what he believes in. It was an easy choice for Atticus to

defend Tom Robinson because he knew it was the right thing to do. By contrast, the character of Bob Ewell

is evil and violent. He has many of the worst qualities of human nature. Ewell didn’t send his children to

school and was quite abusive to all of them. Especially his daughter, Mayella. He forced her to lie under

oath when testifying against Tom Robinson. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird similarly shows both good and

bad through people’s actions. On the negative side, people cruelly and unjustly accuse Tom Robinson of

rape because he is black. On the positive side, Atticus risks his own safety to confront a lynch mob outside

the jail to ensure the safety of Tom Robinson until he can get his day in court. The actions of Atticus prove

that in literature we see the good side of human nature. In contrast, through the story line and the actions

of Bob Ewell, we also the cruel nature that resides deep within the human soul.

YOUR TURN

Write paragraph 2 using this quote:

“All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a

struggle between good and evil.”

Author – Unknown

Literary elements – plot, conflict, irony,

characterization, setting, theme, figurative

language , tone, point of view……

FOR EXAMPLE

In Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the theme of power to dramatize the conflict between

good and evil. In this novel the main characters are adolescent boys seeking to gain the

acceptance and leadership of the group. Because they are stranded on an island,

without adult supervision, they are free to do as they please. As the novel progresses,

the true natures of the boys are revealed. Ralph, the leader, is characterized as a

thoughtful and good boy. He uses his reasoning and sense of civilized behavior to rule

over the boys. Jack, on the other hand, resents Ralph’s leadership and becomes the

leader of a separate group. These boys represent more savage behavior, constantly

hunting to kill wild pig and chanting “kill the Beast.” The struggle between good and

evil is symbolized in the way Jack’s group become more and more savage and even tries

to kill Ralph. Golding’s story suggests that once allowed total freedom from rules or

society, a basic savage instinct (evil) will take over these once civilized boys.

PARAGRAPH 3

This is exactly like paragraph 2 but uses a 2nd piece of

literature

The first sentence should look like this:

Like the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, The characters in

Of Mice and Men , a novel by John Steinbeck, also show

people’s good traits as well as their bad.

Notice the word characters…that suggests I will use

characterization as my 1st lit element.

3 CON’T

Now we need some examples of characterization

In the relationship between George and Lennie, there

are positive qualities of human nature, such as

friendship, loyalty, and trust. Lennie trusts George to

take care of him.

PARAGRAPH 3 CON’T

A second example:

On the other hand, Curley, a mean troublemaker,

shows just how unpleasant people can be. Curley is

constantly picking fights with the other ranch hands

and accusing them of being with his wife.

3 CON’T

Now we need the 2nd lit element

It should begin like this:

The plot Of Mice and Men shows how good or bad

people can be in their actions.

3RD CON’T

Next come the examples

George protects Lennie and takes care of him. At the

end, George has to shoot Lennie to save him from a

worst fate.

3RD CON’T

Another example

Meanwhile, Curley is a bully. It's he who wants to

shoot Lennie down after Lennie accidentally kills

Curley’s wife.

3RD CON’T

Finally the clincher

It’s interesting that George shoots Lennie out of

friendship, while Curley wanted to shoot him for

revenge. These two motives in themselves suggest

the range of human nature.

THIS IT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Like the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, The characters in Of Mice and Men , a novel by

John Steinbeck, also show people’s good traits as well as their bad. In the relationship between

George and Lennie, there are positive qualities of human nature, such as friendship, loyalty,

and trust. Lennie trusts George to take care of him. Curley, a mean troublemaker, shows just

how unpleasant people can be. On the other hand, Curley, a mean troublemaker, shows just

how unpleasant people can be. Curley is constantly picking fights with the other ranch hands

and accusing them of being with his wife. The plot Of Mice and Men shows how good or bad

people can be in their actions. George protects Lennie and Takes care of him. At the end,

George has to shoot Lennie to save him from a worst fate. Meanwhile, Curley is a bully. It's he

who wants to shoot Lennie down after Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife. It’s interesting

that George shoots Lennie out of friendship, while Curley wanted to shoot him for revenge.

These two motives in themselves suggest the range of human nature.

YOUR TURN

Write paragraph 3 using this quote:

“All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a

struggle between good and evil.”

Author – Unknown

Literary elements – plot, conflict, irony,

characterization, setting, theme, figurative

language , tone, point of view……

EXAMPLE

Shakespeare suggests a similar theme in his play Othello. Shakespeare introduces

the character of Othello as a brave, loving, and honorable man. He also introduces

the complete antithesis of Othello in the character Iago. Iago is Othello's most

trusted officer, yet he is not what he seems. He secretly resents a lack of

promotion and becomes fundamentally driven to destroy the good Othello. It is the

evil in Iago that allows him to take advantage of Othello’s trusting nature and prey

on his good heart. Using Othello's trust in him, Iago persuades Othello that his

adored wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful to him. Provoked by Iago, Othello becomes

consumed with hate and jealousy and kills his innocent wife. In the character

Othello, Shakespeare shows us how a character can cross the threshold between

good and evil. Iago’s evil overcomes Othello’s goodness and destroys him.

CONCLUSION

Restate the quote like this

As you can see, the quote “Literature opens a dark

window on the soul, revealing more about what is bad in

human nature than what is good” by an unknown

author is not true. Literature shows both good and bad

qualities that reside in humans.

CONCLUSION CON’T

Restate the works of literature you used

Like this:

Novels such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and

Men show the interaction between positive and

negative aspects of human nature.

CONCLUSION CON’T

Next summarize your main points like this:

Rather than emphasize the bad, these novels present

a more or less balanced view of people’s good and

bad qualities.

IT LOOKS LIKE THIS

As you can see, the quote “Literature opens a dark window on

the soul, revealing more about what is bad in human nature than

what is good” by an unknown author is not true. Literature shows

both good and bad qualities that reside in humans. Novels such

as To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men show the

interaction between positive and negative aspects of human

nature. Rather than emphasize the bad, these novels present a

more or less balanced view of people’s good and bad qualities.

YOUR TURN

Write a conclusion using the following quote

“All conflict in literature is, in its simplest form, a struggle

between good and evil.”

Author – Unknown

Literary elements – plot, conflict, irony, characterization,

setting, theme, figurative language , tone, point of view……