Critical lens Essays provide a quote, which the student must connect to literature read.

The literature must be that read in class.
It consists of 5 paragraphs = Introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion.
The student must discuss 2 pieces of literature and three literary terms.
Students must know the correct titles of the literature and punctuate it correctly. All titles are capitalized. Book titles are underlined and short stories are put in quotes “.”

Introduction:

Begins with the actual quote
Next sentence is the interpretation of the quote – what does it mean.
CanNOT use I, you, we, me, my. Instead use they, readers, people Example: This quote means that people …….
Is the quote true or not/mention the book titles you will use. This quote is true in the books ________ and __________ because ………../ Readers think this quote is true in the books ______ and ____ because ……
Mention the literary terms that support the quote in the chosen books. Example: Irony, conflict, and setting support the quote. The author uses irony, conflict and setting to show how this quote is true.

Body Paragraphs [3, one lit term for each paragraph]:

Restate the interpretation of the quote
Name the pieces of literature/On the final exam you must use 2
Define the literary term used
Use specific examples from the literature to back up the quote, applying the lit term to both books
Connect the book back to the interpretation

Conclusion

Is the opposite order from the introduction; Do NOT use exact wording
End with the quote

Common lit Terms:

Foreshadowing – author gives hint about events to come

Irony:

Dramatic irony – the reader knows something the character doesn’t know
Unexpected irony – something happens differently than what is expected
Verbal irony – the character says the opposite of what he means

Theme – the underlying message of the story

Setting – where and when the story takes place

Symbolism – something stands for something else [Example, in To kill a Mockingbird, the mockingbird stands for innocent people who do no harm; Boo Radley is the ‘white mockingbird; Tom Robinson is the “black mockingbird”]

Characterization – the description of the characters; how the reader learns about the characters through appearance, actions, what they say or how other characters react to them.

Suspense – what keeps the reader reading; example, “the lady and the Tiger” is a cliff hanger – it keeps us guessing at the ending

Conflict – the problem

External – involves more than one character
- Man verses man
- Man verses nature
- Man verses society

Internal – conflict within a person; man verses himself example Atticus has to decide whether to do the right thing and defend Tom Robinson or do the easy thing and not really try

Final Essay Project

Stargirl- Mrs. Palmer

Critical Lens Essay on Stargirl

Directions: Write a critical essay in which you discuss Jerry Spinelli’s novel Stargirl from the particular perspective of the statement provided to you in the Critical Lens. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to appropriate literary elements from the work.

Quote: “A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.”

--Salman Rushdie

Outline for organization:

I. Introduction:

1. Interpret the quote- What does it mean? Restate the quote and then put it into your own words.

2. Do you think that this interpretation is true or false in Stargirl? Why? This is where you will state the literary elements that you are going to elaborate on in your essay.

II. 1^st body paragraph:

1. Focus on characterization.

2. Choose a main character in the story that relates to your interpretation of the quote. How is the character portrayed in the book? (appearance, actions, direct statements by the author about him/her) How do other characters view/respond/react to this person?

3. Connect this information to your thesis.

III. 2^nd body paragraph:

1. Focus on theme.

2. Determine one of the main themes in the book.

3. How does Jerry Spinelli portray this theme? Use specific examples from the book to prove your point.

4. Connect this information to your thesis.

IV. 3^rd body paragraph:

1. Focus on one additional literary element.(setting, irony, foreshadowing)

2. Choose the element that best fits your interpretation of the quote and theme.

3. Give specific examples from the book to show your ideas (For example, the setting of a small town, high school and the nearby desert or the constant clues at the ends of chapters etc.)

4. Connect this information to your thesis.

V. Conclusion:

1. Restate the information contained in your introduction.