Writing a Critical Lens Essay

NYS ELA Regents

What it looks like:

Intro Sentence 1: Use the quote exactly as it is

J. W. von Goethe once said “No two persons regard the world in exactly the same way…”

Intro Sentence 2: Write what the quote means

Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways.

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.”

Intro Sentence 3: Write whether you agree or disagree with the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways.

I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement.

Intro Sentence 4: Write the titles, authors, and genres of the stories you are going to use to support your statement

Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation.

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement.

Intro Sentence 5: write that literary elements convey the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation.

Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

Body 1 Sentence 1: write the topic sentence including the literary elements the writer from the 1st work uses to show the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways.

Body 1 Sentence 2/3: 1st literary element and its connection to the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways.

The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is.

Body 1 Sentence 4: Give an example of the 2nd literary element and how it expresses the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is.

Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough.

Body 1 Sentence 5: Summarize literary elements used to support the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough.

The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Body 2 Sentence 1: write a topic sentence about the literary elements author 2 uses to prove the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well.

Body 2 Sentence 2: 1st literary element example and connection to the quote

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well.

First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation.

Body 2 Sentence 3/4: 2nd literary element and connection to quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation.

Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up.

Body 2 Sentence 5: summary sentence of literary elements

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation. Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up.

Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony certainly convey the idea that different people will view the same situation in completely different ways.

Conclusion Sentence 1: restate the thesis (4th sentence of the introduction)

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation. Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up. Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony certainly convey the idea that different people will view the same situation in completely different ways.

The short stories “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov demonstrate the truth that different people can view the same situation in different ways, by using the literary elements mentioned above.

Conclusion Sentence 2: Restate your opinion about the quotationJ.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in

exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation. Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up. Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony certainly convey the idea that different people will view the same situation in completely different ways.

The short stories “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov demonstrate the truth that different people can view the same situation in different ways, by using the literary elements mentioned above.

I agree with Goethe’s belief that “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.”

Conflict Sentence 3: Restate the literary elements used to help convey the meaning of the quotation

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation. Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up. Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony certainly convey the idea that different people will view the same situation in completely different ways.

The short stories “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov demonstrate the truth that different people can view the same situation in different ways, by using the literary elements mentioned above. I agree with Goethe’s belief that “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.”

The examples of conflict, characterization, and irony given above show that Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov also agree with J.W. von Goethe.

J.W. von Goethe once said “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” Goethe is telling us that different people will view the same situation in different ways. I agree with J.W. von Goethe’s statement. Amy Tan’s short story “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Anton Chekhov both provide evidence that agrees with this quotation. Both authors use literary elements to convey the meaning of this quotation.

In “Two Kinds” Amy Tan uses conflict and characterization to demonstrate that different people view the same situation in different ways. The character vs. character conflict between Jing-Mei and her mother comes from the fact that they have different views on the importance of self-improvement. The mother believes Jing-Mei should always try to be the best at everything, while Jing-Mei feels that her mother should just accept her the way she is. Tan uses characterization to show how the characters’ personalities reflect these beliefs. Jing-Mei becomes angrier and more rebellious with every new failure to become a prodigy, while her mother stays optimistic that Jing-Mei could succeed if she would try hard enough. The conflict and characterization in “Two Kinds” both serve to show how the characters have different views about the same issue.

Anton Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony in “The Bet” supports the idea of this quotation as well. First, The doctor and the lawyer take opposite sides of an argument about the death penalty, in a character vs. character conflict that clearly shows their different views on the same situation. Then, Chekhov uses situational irony to show how the characters have different views on the topic of money. The banker thinks money is so important that he is willing to kill the lawyer for $2 million, only to find out that the lawyer doesn’t care about the money at all, and plans to give it up. Chekhov’s use of conflict and irony certainly convey the idea that different people will view the same situation in completely different ways.

The short stories “Two Kinds” and “The Bet” by Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov demonstrate the truth that different people can view the same situation in different ways, by using the literary elements mentioned above. I agree with Goethe’s belief that “no two persons regard the world in exactly the same way.” The examples of conflict, characterization, and irony given above show that Amy Tan and Anton Chekhov also agree with J.W. von Goethe.