English 5H Project: Critical Lens Essay
Due Date: Monday, November 10th
Fall Term 2014: Marking Period 2
For your project this marking period, you are required to write a 4-5 paragraph Critical Lens
Essay based on your assigned quote.
Your essay MUST:
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Address the assigned quoted given in class
Meet the requirements of a Critical Lens Essay:
! Your interpretation
! Whether you agree/disagree
! Your in-depth discussion of two literary works in connection with literary
elements
Follow the conventions of standard written English
Format:
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Individual: Typing is NOT REQUIRED. *Handwritten essays should be neatly written
by skipping a line between sentences and properly indented to indicate new paragraphs.
In short, please be as professional as possible
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Pairs/Groups (Assigned groups only): Typing is REQUIRED. Typed essays should be
double-spaced, using 12 pt., Times New Roman font
*ALL ESSAYS: Please double underline/highlight the literary element(s) you are using.
Do not include a cover page or report cover of any kind. Instead, please include a proper
heading:
Name(s)
Date
Ms. Singh/Pd. ___
Project: MP2
Critical Lens
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Please attach your rubric
Miscellaneous:
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Plagiarized submissions (from the Internet or another source – including other students!)
will receive an automatic zero (no exceptions nor the option to re-submit)
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Late projects will receive a deduction of 10 points on the first day, with a deduction of 5
points for every day thereafter. (**NOTE**: Submitting a project after collection
during your class period is considered late – computer/printer issues will not excuse a late
project. Also, please be aware that you will not be allowed to use the Library to print out
your paper during class. Please plan accordingly.)
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E-mailed submissions will not be accepted
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Please be sure to see me with any questions ASSIGNED QUOTES:
GROUP #1:
“You must learn to do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
GROUP #2:
“The best literature is about the old universal truths, such as love, honor, pride,
compassion and sacrifice” – William Faulkner
GROUP #3:
“The test of a courageous person is the ability to bear defeat without losing heart.”
GROUP #4:
“In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers.”
GROUP #5:
“In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers.”
GROUP #6:
“The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.” – J.F.
Clarke
GROUP #7:
“Good people…are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.” –
William Saroyan
GROUP #8:
“We do not read novels* for improvement or instruction.” – Oliver Wendell
Holmes
*For the purpose of writing your critical essay, you may interpret the word
novels to include plays, short stories, poems, biographies, and books of true
experience.
Critical Lens Guide: Task 4 Ms. Singh/Regents Preparation For the Critical Lens portion of your Regents exam, you must interpret a quotation and connect two pieces literature (through application of appropriate literary elements) in a 4-­‐5 paragraph essay. Below please find an outline. *Note: The below outline is not a mandated essay format. Try to use your own narrative voice. You should, however, include all elements mentioned in order to fulfill the requirements of this task. Introduction " (indent) [Speaker of quote] once said, “[quote].” I think this quote means [your interpretation/what you think it means]. This quote is [true/false] because [explain your reasoning]. The [type of text] [text title#1] by [author#1] and[type of text] [text title#2] by [author #2] both support my interpretation of this quote through [literary element#1] and [literary element #2]*. *A second literary element is optional. Body Paragraph 1 " (indent) The [type of text] [title #1] by [author #1] supports my interpretation through [literary element #1]. In [text title #1], [Discuss how at least two specific examples from the text uses this literary element, and how it supports your interpretation.] Body Paragraph 2 " (indent) Additionally, [type of text], [title #2] by [author #2] supports my interpretation of this quote through [literary element]. In [text title #2], [Discuss how at least two specific examples from the novel uses this literary element, and how it supports your interpretation.] Conclusion " (indent) [Speaker of quote] once said, “[quote],” which means [your interpretation/what you think it means] [Re-­state your reasoning]. The[type of text] [text title#1] by [author#1] and [type of text] [text title #2] by [author #2] both support my interpretation. [Include a concluding sentence that summarizes your main points]. Common (and simple!) literary terms/elements: Characterization: the way a character is described in literature Conflict: a problem/struggle found in literature (can be internal or external – man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. supernatural, man vs. technology, man vs. society…) Foreshadowing: Events that can help predict the outcome in a piece of literature Imagery: the use of language to convey a visual picture or represent a sensory experience Mood: The atmosphere or feeling that is found in a piece of literature. Plot: The events that take place in a piece of literature. Point of view: the perspective from which a narrative is told Setting: Where and when the novel/piece of literature took place. Theme: The message/moral found in a piece of literature Tone: The attitude of the author or character