This document outlines the critical analysis process (CAP) for assessing poetry and art. The CAP involves 4 stages: 1) Initial reaction - noting one's first impressions and questions about the work. 2) Analyzing intent and vision - interpreting the artist's message and purpose. 3) Considering cultural context - examining when/where the work was made and relevant social/historical factors. 4) Expressing aesthetic judgment - evaluating how one's view has changed and the work's effectiveness. Key aspects of each stage like description techniques and considering elements of design are also described.

1. Understanding and
Applying the Critical
Analysis Process
“Home has less to do with a piece of soil than a piece of soul”
ENG 1D1, Module 1, Lesson 3

2. In this Lesson
We will learn about the Critical Analysis
Process (CAP) and how to apply it in
order to help us assess poetry and art.

3. The Critical Analysis Process

4. Stage 1: Initial Reaction Roles
Are you?
The Blinker: What is your first impression of this work?
The Reminder: What does this work bring to mind?
The Sensitive One: What emotions does this work evoke
within you?
The Riddler: What puzzles you? What questions do you have?
The Connector: What connections can you make between
this work and your own experience or other art forms?

5. The Five-Point Description
● What is happening in this work?
● What do you see that makes you say
that?
● What clues has the artist provided to
tell you more about the subject?
● What clues tell you when and where
this work was made?
● What stands out the most to you in
this work?
(From the AGO Guide, “Explore Art With Your Students”)

6. Stage 2: Analyze and Interpret
Author Intent and Vision
● What do you think is the message that the artist is trying
to communicate?
● What do you think is the purpose of this work?
● What do you feel is the artist’s view of the world?
● How does the artist evoke emotions using principles and
elements of design?

7. Consider how De Leon uses these
elements in “Leslie”
Allusion: making a reference to someone or something
outside of the text such as a historical figure, famous
event, popular story, or well-known place
First person narrative voice: the character telling the
story is involved in the action and uses “I”
Subjective point of view: approaching a topic by
focusing on an individual’s perspective or feelings instead
of what is objectively true for all
Photographer: Dhoui Chang (2017).

8. Stage 3:
Consideration of Cultural Context
● When and where was the work created?
● What was happening during that time?
Socially? Historically? Politically?
● How would the artist and art have been
perceived?
● What was happening in the artist’s life
when the work was created?
● Whose voices do we hear? Whose voices
do we not hear?
Photo credit: Anderson Guerra

9. Stage 4:
Expression of Aesthetic Judgment
● Has your point of view changed from your initial reaction? How
and why?
● What works and what doesn’t work for you? Why?
● How would you change this work if given the opportunity?
Why?
● How does the artist’s view of the world compare with your
own?
● How effective are the artist’s choices in communicating their
intended message?