The document provides guidance on writing a critical lens essay. It explains that a critical lens is similar to glasses or a camera lens in that it shapes a point of view for evaluating literature. The task is to interpret a quote, agree or disagree with it, and discuss two literary works that support the position. Good essays explicitly agree or disagree with the lens, have a strong opening, and use evidence from works to anchor the thesis. Body paragraphs should include a claim, evidence from works, and interpretation of how the evidence relates to the claim.

1. The Critical Lens Essay

2. Review
A critical lens is similar
to the lenses in a pair
of glasses or the lens
in a camera.
Some lenses may alter
or change how we view
a particular object,
item, etc.
A critical lens shapes a
point of view about how
to evaluate literature.

3. The Task
Every critical lens essay will include three
parts to the task:
1. To interpret
 Explain what you think the quote means.
1. To agree or disagree
 Explain why you think the quote is true or false.
1. To select two literary works for a discussion
 These works will support your position, or prove
why the quote is true or false.

5. What Makes a Stud a Stud?
 Does not just restate lens
 Implicitly agrees or disagrees with lens
 Has a dynamic opening line
 Analysis draws upon personal understanding of what
lens means
 Analysis connects to life experience and literature
 Studs are assertive and confident, and never say “I
think” or “I believe”
 Uses the language and ideas of the lens to anchor the
thesis
 First sentence concisely interprets lens

6. A Dud
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in
the right using of strength.”
--Henry Ward Beecher
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right using of
strength,” as quoted by Henry Ward Beecher. I agree with
the quote because sometimes life is hard. Sometimes we
just can’t change things, we just make the best of things.
Two books that prove this quote true are “To Kill a
Mockingbird” and “Macbeth.”

7. A Stud
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right
using of strength.”
--Henry Ward Beecher
Often times in literature, as well as in life, individualism can
be described as great; however, according to Henry Ward
Beecher, “Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right
using of strength.” In other words, greatness should not be
measured by how strong a person is, but by how they use
their strengths to better themselves and others. This is
proven in ___ and ____. Both of these classic novels
depict how individuals were able to rise above the rest and
subsequently prove their greatness.

8. Another Dud
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right
using of strength.”
--Henry Ward Beecher
In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, “Greatness lies not
in being strong, but in the right of using strength…” My
interpretations of this is if one can truly be strong in their
heart, they can be strong in life. If you believe in yourself,
you will be great.

9. Another Stud
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right using of
strength.”
--Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher was wise in saying that “Greatness
lies not in being strong, but in the right using of strength.”
Indeed, individuals who seek power and glory through force
are not as truly great as those who seek to make a small,
yet positive impact on their world through patient and
persistent efforts. This phenomenon is illustrated by
comparing the stories of Macbeth of Shakespeare’s
Macbeth, whose ill-gotten gains from force lead to his
downfall, and Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s To Kill a
Mockingbird, whose “right using of strength” allows him to
be truly great.

10. Try it on your own…
Using the following lens, write an
introduction
“Greatness lies
not in being
strong, but in the
right using of
strength.”
--Henry
Ward Beecher

11. General Understanding of a Body
Paragraph
 Brief plot summary
 Analysis of relevant literary terms (conflict, setting,
theme, foreshadowing, narrator, antagonist, protagonist,
etc.)
 Super specific textual references that illustrate how
the lens functions within the novel or play (at least 2
per text)
 Agreement or disagreement with lens statement
 Organization and unification of ideas
 Specify titles and authors
 Follow the conventions of standard written English

12. Specific Understanding of a Body
Paragraph
To help you structure your body
paragraphs, use the following approach:
Claim
Interpretation
Evidence

13. Claim
States your position on the issue
Includes key words from the quote, connecting
them to the text
Your topic sentence; it informs your reader what
the rest of your paragraph will be about
Anchors your paragraph; it is what guides your
writing
The rest of your paragraph is dedicated to
proving that your claim true

14. Evidence
The textual support for your claim
Includes examples, specific quotes, and
references to the text
You’ll typically be describing a scene
This is where you do provide brief plot
summary
The more detailed the evidence, the
better

15. Interpretation
An explanation of how the evidence
proves the claim
What does the evidence show the reader?
This is where you move beyond plot
summary and into analysis

16. Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth tells the story of a power-hungry Scottish
thane whose greedy attempts to use strong force and manipulation lead him not
to greatness, but to corruption and his own downfall. Encouraged by the
insinuations of his sinister wife, Macbeth becomes obsessed with the prospect
of becoming king of Scotland. He falsely equates the throne and the power that
comes with it to true greatness and satisfaction. The great irony of the play is
that Macbeth’s attempts to achieve this goal through “strong” force ultimately
bring neither. Motivated by his obsessive greed and pressure from his wife to
appear strong, Macbeth engages in desperate and unscrupulous behavior. His
decision to murder his relative and friend, King Duncan, to fulfill his ambitions
only reveal that Macbeth is a weak character with unsound judgment. The fact
that Macbeth is so easily succumbed to the pressures of his wife also reveal
that despite appearing strong through his use of violence, Macbeth is insecure
and cannot think for himself. Ultimately, Macbeth’s decisions to kill Duncan
leads not to greatness, but causes more trouble for him and those around him.
In the end, his reign causes harm to and discontent among his subjects,
something a “great” leader would not do. Macbeth’s tragic story only proves
that forceful actions do not always bring individuals to greatness, especially if
they are motivated by greed and treachery.

17. CLAIM:
Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth tells the story of a
power-hungry Scottish thane whose greedy attempts
to use strong force and manipulation lead him not to
greatness, but to corruption and his own downfall.
Encouraged by the insinuations of his sinister wife, Macbeth becomes
obsessed with the prospect of becoming king of Scotland. He falsely equates
the throne and the power that comes with it to true greatness and satisfaction.
The great irony of the play is that Macbeth’s attempts to achieve this goal
through “strong” force ultimately bring neither. Motivated by his obsessive
greed and pressure from his wife to appear strong, Macbeth engages in
desperate and unscrupulous behavior. His decision to murder his relative and
friend, King Duncan, to fulfill his ambitions only reveal that Macbeth is a weak
character with unsound judgment. The fact that Macbeth is so easily
succumbed to the pressures of his wife also reveal that despite appearing
strong through his use of violence, Macbeth is insecure and cannot think for
himself. Ultimately, Macbeth’s decisions to kill Duncan leads not to greatness,
but causes more trouble for him and those around him. In the end, his reign
causes harm to and discontent among his subjects, something a “great” leader
would not do. Macbeth’s tragic story only proves that forceful actions do not

18. EVIDENCE…
Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth tells the story of a power-hungry Scottish thane whose greedy attempts to use strong force and manipulation lead him not to greatness, but to
. Encouraged by the insinuations of his sinister wife,
Macbeth becomes obsessed with the prospect of becoming king
of Scotland. He falsely equates the throne and the power that
comes with it to true greatness and satisfaction. The great irony
of the play is that Macbeth’s attempts to achieve this goal through
“strong” force ultimately bring neither. Motivated by his
corruption and his own downfall
,
obsessive greed and pressure from his wife to appear strong
Macbeth engages in desperate and unscrupulous behavior. His
decision to murder his relative and friend, King Duncan, to fulfill
his ambitions only reveal that Macbeth is a weak character with
unsound judgment. The fact that Macbeth is so easily succumbed
to the pressures of his wife also reveal that despite appearing
strong through his use of violence, Macbeth is insecure and
cannot think for himself
. Ultimately, Macbeth’s decisions to kill Duncan leads not to greatness, but causes more trouble for him and
those around him. In the end, his reign causes harm to and discontent among his subjects, something a “great” leader would not do. Macbeth’s tragic story only proves that
forceful actions do not always bring individuals to greatness, especially if they are motivated by greed and treachery.

19. INTERPRETATION
Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth tells the story of a power-hungry Scottish thane whose greedy attempts to use strong force and manipulation lead him not to greatness, but to
corruption and his own downfall. Encouraged by the insinuations of his sinister wife, Macbeth becomes obsessed with the prospect of becoming king of Scotland. He falsely
equates the throne and the power that comes with it to true greatness and satisfaction. The great irony of the play is that Macbeth’s attempts to achieve this goal through “strong”
force ultimately bring neither. Motivated by his obsessive greed and pressure from his wife to appear strong, Macbeth engages in desperate and unscrupulous behavior. His
decision to murder his relative and friend, King Duncan, to fulfill his ambitions only reveal that Macbeth is a weak character with unsound judgment. The fact that Macbeth is so
easily succumbed to the pressures of his wife also reveal that despite appearing strong through his use of violence, Macbeth is insecure and cannot think for himself.
Ultimately, Macbeth’s decisions to kill Duncan leads
not to greatness, but causes more trouble for him and
those around him. In the end, his reign causes harm to
and discontent among his subjects, something a
“great” leader would not do. Macbeth’s tragic story
only proves that forceful actions do not always bring
individuals to greatness, especially if they are
motivated by greed and treachery.

20. Try It On Your Own…
“Greatness lies not in being strong, but
in the right using of strength.”
--Henry Ward Beecher
Claim
Interpretation
Evidence

21. The Conclusion
Wrap up what you have been discussing
in your paper
Your conclusion should begin pulling back
into more general information
Don’t try and pull in new points
Simplicity is best for a clear, convincing
message

22. Thesis Statement
Thesis Statement