Writing commentary
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What does it mean?
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Giving an opinion
Interpretation
Insight
Analysis
Explication
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Personal reaction
Feelings
Evaluation
Reflection
Writing commentary
There are no “right” answers
 There are logical responses
 You must think of your own opinion
 You must explain and support your opinion

“To give a
reading of a
work which
increases
the
audience’s
understanding
of it.”
Concerns / Motivations
of:
Character, Narrator,
Speaker
The
and emotion
through the passage
Stating the obvious…
patterns, voice/tone,
imagery, argument
Mention author’s
name to introduce
each idea
Mention
“the reader”
often
thosewho
understandthat
literatureisa
creationwhich
needstobe
examined.
1)Look at Structure
2)
Discuss Meaning of passages without
assuming it is only to be found during a
treasure hunt or must inevitably become a
lecture about life.
An integration of:
interpretation of the content
discussion of the technique
Assessment of the effects achieved
The ideal commentary
treats literary techniques
as inseparable from
meaning (with a focus on
how the features develop
meaning)
Always Tie Technique with Meaning
Metaphor
Resist the urge to simply list what you see.
Strike a balance
literal
reading and
between
overinterpretation.
the passage
or poem is
not
a kind of
puzzle with
a
definite
solution.
DO NOT turn commentaries into lengthy, personal,
pseudo-philosophical musings on the themes
raised by the passages.
How To Write Your
Commentary……
1.Write an effective introduction.
2.Create a small outline for your commentary.
3.Avoid excessive summarizing and
paraphrasing from other sources.
4.Incorporate quotes from the presenter.
5.Write a strong conclusion.
6.Include a clincher statement
Literature commentary
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“This shows that…”
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Use this tool in when shaping your essay
and writing your first draft, but you must
eliminate the phrase in your final draft.
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Example:
In Of Mice and Men, George Milton looks out for
Lennie’s welfare. For example, he tells Lennie not to say
anything to Curley in the ranchhouse. He understands how
easily Lennie gets into trouble without realizing it. He wants
to keep Lennie out of harm’s way by shielding him from
contact with
strangers.