How to Write a Critical Essay #1
Critical essays analyze literature. They set about to prove a point or an argument. In some ways, they resemble the process used by scientists which involves
€observation of data (reading the book),
€coming to a hypothesis (figuring out some "hidden" aspect of the book, whether it be a thematic statement, character analysis, or comparison/contrast with another work),
€testing the hypothesis (looking for quotes to substantiate your theory)
€amending your hypothesis as new data comes in (rewriting your thesis)
€presenting your evidence (the actual writing of the essay in which you present quotes and your analysis of these quotes)
€coming to some conclusion (show how your evidence is decisive and why your thesis--character development or thematic statement--is important).
You might want to consider this formulaic outline when you write critical essays:
¶1: Use a funnel lead. End with your thesis sentence and summary of three topic ideas.
¶'s 2,3,4:
€Start with your topic sentence.
€Then use an transitional phrase or sentence to set up your key citation. (If possible, use some sort of ordering when you present your quote --chronological, level of importance, level of development.)
€Follow this with a sentence or two telling the context of this citation: when, where did this line occur in the story. What preceded it, what followed it? If the citation is dialogue, who said it and who was being addressed? If the citation is description, what is being described?
€Follow this with a two or three sentences showing how this quote supports both your TOPIC and THESIS sentences. This is the key part of your essay.
¶5 Finally, in your conclusion, you want to briefly summarize your three topic ideas. Then you need to come up with some sort of synthesis (this means mixing the three together to come up with something new). It could be a decision regarding which of the three is the main point. It could be a statement of opinion about the work based on your three ideas. It could be a fourth idea that the other three lead up to. This last one, I think, is the best.
Example:
¶1 Certainly Steinbeck doesn't limit himself to a single theme in his masterpiece "The Grapes of Wrath." In many ways the book offers a political message in calling on the poor to unionize and organize. It also offers the touching story of a particular family struggling to stay together despite the economic and social forces that try to tear them apart. But the overriding sense of the book is religious. All one need do is look at the numerous religious metaphors found in the book. (Thesis) Steinbeck ultimately makes a profound religious statement in "The Grapes of Wrath" by proclaiming the universal kinship of all men and women. (Topic Summary) He uses several incidences to drive home this theme, including Jim Casey's revelation regarding sharing, Tom Joad's conversion, and Rose of Sharon's final Christian gesture.
¶2 (Topic Sentence) The first evidence we have of Steinbeck's religious message is in chapter 6 when Muley Graves shares his rabbit with Casey and Tom Joad. (Introduction to Quote) Even though it will mean Muley will go hungry, he argues that (Quote) "if a fella's got something to eat an' another fella's hungry&emdash; why the first fella ain't got no choice." This proves a turning point for Casey, who tells Muley he will have to think long and hard over these words. What Muley didn't realize is that he had spoken a profound truth: that when one man is hungry, all men are hungry; that when one man has food, he is bound by the laws of spiritual kinship to share that food. This introductory scene sets the religious tone for the rest of the book.
¶3 This tone is continued much further in the book when Tom Joad undergoes conversion. (Note the transition to the next idea.)...
¶4 Finally, Rose Of Sharon's final Christian gesture, a self-giving reminiscent of the icon of the Madonna with child, offers Steinbeck's answer to the evil of poverty and greed...
¶5 (Summary) Thus, through these three key scenes, Steinbeck offers his religious manifesto. (Synthesis) He does this in the context, however, of tearing down organized religion. (Development of Synthesis) Through his criticism of the revivalist ministers who only want to milk the refugees for money he links organized religion to the other institutions, such as the banks and huge farms, that also rob the migrants. And, through his condemnation of the narrow-mindedness that religion can inculcate, as illustrated through the woman at Weedpatch, Steinbeck narrows his definition of what he considers authentic spirituality. The three examples set forth in this essay, examples of selfless giving and community, represent for Steinbeck the only acceptable religious expression and the only expression that will truly save the migrants' in both body and soul.