REGENTS PREP: Final Exam

Write a six paragraph essay for the following crtitical lens statements.

"The best literature is about the old universal truths, such as love, honor, pride, compassion, and sacrifice."

Critical Lens Worksheet
Essay Template
INTRODUCTION: (Paragraph 1)

1. Write the critical lens quote and the author
Quote:__ _______________________________________________________
Author:_ _______________________________________________________
2. What does the critical lens (quote) mean? (Explain in your own words
what you think it means).

__________________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you agree or disagree with the critical lens (quote)?

__________________________________________________________________
4. List any two books you’ve read (title and author).
Author of Book #1:_______________________________________________
Title of Book#1:__ _______________________________________________
Author of Book #2:_______________________________________________
Title of Book#2:__ _______________________________________________
5. Give your controlling idea (thesis). In other words, simply state how these two
books deal with the idea presented in the quote.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2:

1. Author of Book#1:_________________________________________________
Title of Book#1:__ ________________________________________________
2. Tell how the critical lens (quote) relates to Book #1. (Give specific examples from
the story).
3. Use an example of a literary element from Book #1 to prove your point dealing with
the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, conflict, point of view, mood, theme,
metaphor, characterization, etc.

__________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3:

1. Author of Book#2:_________________________________________________
Title of Book#2:__ ________________________________________________
2. Tell how the critical lens (quote) relates to Book #2.

__________________________________________________________________
3. Use an example of a literary element from Book #2 to prove your point dealing with
the critical lens (quote); for example, setting, point of view, mood, theme, metaphor,
characterization, etc.

__________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 4: (Conclusion)

1. Your conclusion should contain all the information that you included in your

introduction.

• Restate the critical lens (quote). (Give your interpretation of it).

_______________________________________________________________

• Summarize your arguments (include if you agreed or disagreed, address both books).

o B ook # 1 :

o B ook # 2 :

____________________________________________________________
2. Give your critical lens essay a fresh ending. (For example: a personal insight, a quote
that illustrates your argument, or a revelation or new idea about the book or books).