How to Write a “Lens” Essay
Here’s a model outline of a critical lens essay.
One of the skills that we are practicing this semester is being able to take an argument or idea that you find in someone’s work and use it as a “lens” through which to understand and analyze a text or piece of evidence. Creating a dialogue between a “lens” text and a “target” text is a skill will come in handy as you work on your research paper!
A lens essay is a type of comparative paper that analyzes one text through the viewpoints expressed in another. Generally, the lens should reveal something original about the “target” text. Alternatively, your analysis may call the validity of the arguments of the lens piece into question, extend the arguments of the lens text, or provoke some other reevaluation of the two texts. Either way, you will be generating a critical dialogue between texts.
First, read the lens text to identify the author’s core arguments and vocabulary. Since theoretical or critical texts tend to be dense and complex, it may be helpful to develop an outline of the author’s primary points.
Next, read/view/listen to the target text to develop a general idea of its content, ask yourself:
- Where do I see general points of agreement or disagreement between the two texts?
- Which of the lens text’s main arguments could be applied to the target text?
Focus on one (or two) of the lens text’s central arguments. This is a complicated form so keep the content tightly focused.
With these ideas in mind, go back and read/listen to/ view the target text carefully, through the theoretical lens, ask yourself the following question: What are the main components of the lens text and what are their complementary parts in the target text?
For each point of the lens text there should be a complementary point in the target text (this will be the main content for your body paragraphs).
Remember to try to apply the lens author’s theoretical vocabulary or logic to instances in the target text. Use the language of the lens text to contextualize the target. The lens author is making an argument. They’ve carefully chosen diction to express and support that argument. Why not benefit from their hard work? Look at, and borrow, their language. Quote short phrases, use their verbs, and even borrow short, specialized phrases. Using the language of the target text will align your own essay with both tone and content of the foundation work. This is a good thing.
You could also note whether there are instances where the lens text’s arguments don’t or can’t apply? Each lens/target pairing may express the same relationship, or it might be different. That’s fine. It’s very rare that texts will be totally compatible. Just be sure to clearly explain each relationship.
Two Sources: “Lens” and “Target”
Source 1: Lens Text
You must use one topic section text as the lens text. As we’re going for an application of theory, we need one that has a theoretical bent. Available topic section texts are:
Tobin Seibers, “Returning the Social to the Social Model”
OR
Benjamin Singer, “From the Medical Gaze to Sublime Mutations”
Source 2: Target Text
In addition, you are required to research and cite at least one text you have not used in the Narrative Medicine seminar. The second source can be any medium, scholarly or popular: movies, songs, poetry, images, journal articles, video games, short stories etc. Pretty much everything is available for the “target” text. Want to look at fashion ads through the lens of Singer’s “From the Medical Gaze to Sublime Mutations”? How about social media (TikTok?), fashion ads, hip hop videos, movies, army recruitment ads, or political speech? Go for it! It can be done. The possibilities are near limitless.
This is an opportunity to see how theory works in the real world. Be creative (but extremely well-organized).
Requirements
Full List of Requirements
See the full list of requirements in the rubric for the assignment.
Length
1200-1500 words (not including headings or works cited listing)
Sources
Two sources: one “lens” text and one “target” text. The “lens” must be a text from the topic section. The “target” source can be anything, as long as it’s not from the Narrative Medicine seminar.
Formatting and citation
The essay should be formatted and cited (in text and “Works Cited” page) using MLA 9th ed. conventions. Feel free to include links and images if they add to the content. If you use images, please format them so that they are integrated with the text.
Due dates
| Decide on Lens and Target and Add to Google Drive Spreadsheet: Wednesday 10/18 | First Draft: Monday 10/23 | Peer Review: Thursday 10/19 | Final Draft: Tuesday 10/31 |
