How to Analyze the Works of George Washington

May 15, 2013
Grades 7-10 The Essential Critiques series helps students understand the basics of critical theory: what a thesis statement is and how to support it by analyzing three or four works, each from a different perspective. Each title begins with biographical information. Next, a piece of writing, such as Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, is used to sum up the context for the speech and what points were made. The author then analyzes the work using, say, feminist criticism or political criticism and creates a thesis statement (highlighted on the page and explained further in a sidebar). Quotes from the original work are used to support the thesis, and then the reader is invited to consider whether they think the author made a persuasive case. George Washington examines his inaugural address, his will, and even a letter to his granddaughter about love and marriage. With the recent emphasis on critical thinking in the Common Core Standards, this should be a useful tool as well as a solid biographical resource.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)