Christmas Carol Essay

ELA 8 – Mr. Smith
“A Christmas Carol”

Critical Lens Essay

In class, we have read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. In it, the main character, Ebeneezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits that work to put his life in perspective.
Write a critical essay in which you discuss “A Christmas Carol” from the particular perspective of the quote that is provided for you as the critical lens.
In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the quotation, agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your opinion using specific references to 3 different literary elements from the text.

QUOTE
“No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has.”
Henry Ward Beecher

In your essay, be sure to:

•Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens quote

•Indicate whether you agree or disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it

•Use the criteria suggested by the critical lens to analyze the work you have chosen

•Avoid plot summary. Instead, use specific references to 3 appropriate literary elements (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view) to develop your analysis

•Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner

•Follow the conventions of standard written English

This essay is due in class on Tuesday, December 21st

Back from Break!

Welcome back from your short rest! Our new unit takes us to the writing of one of the greatest authors in history, Charles Dickens! We will read some short stories in class, as well as a short Dickens biography, and then read the dramatic version of the classic "A Christmas Carol." We will take part in some readers theatre, write some short responses, and culminate the unit with something we've never tried before, a critical lens essay! More details to follow. For now, go get a hot cocoa and read a book!