Critical Our definition:Dictionary definition: Expressing disapproving comments or judgments: “He was critical of many U.S. welfare programs”. Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art, incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis (of a person) extremely ill and at risk of death, as in critical condition.

Critic Our definition:Dictionary definition: A person who expresses an unfavorable opinion of something A person who judges the merits of literary, artistic, or musical works, esp. one who does so professionally, such as a film critic.

To criticize or to critique? To Criticize: To indicate the faults of someone or something in a disapproving way To form and express a sophisticated judgment of a literary or artistic work To Critique: To evaluate, analyze, or assess something in a detailed and analytical way

Lens Our definition:Dictionary definition: A piece of glass or other transparent substance with curved sides for concentrating or dispersing light rays, used alone (as in a magnifying glass) or with other lenses (as in a telescope) The light-gathering device of a camera, typically containing a group of compound lenses. An object or device that focuses or otherwise modifies the direction of movement of light, sound, electrons, etc.

What is a Critical Lens?

Critical Lens Essay Critical lens essays provide a quote, which the student must connect to literature they have read. This quote provides the “lens” through which the student examines two works of literature his/she has read. It is up to the student which pieces of literature he/she will use for the essay. The essay consists of 5 paragraphs: introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion The essay should include specific references to several literary elements from the two works.

A critical essay should do the following: Provide a valid interpretation of the quote Agree or disagree with the quote as you have interpreted it Support your opinion using specific references to the literature you have chosen and appropriate literary elements.

All definitions from the New Oxford American Dictionary