How to structure your oral commentary
Here is where you
summarise the extract and
place it in the context of the
book. What is happening
and when?
Here is where you talk about
the details in the text
(allusions, symbolism,
references to other events in
the book, connections to the
theme of the story). Give
examples and explain them.
Here is where you talk about
your opinion and what
message this passage is
trying to send. Talk about
how the message and events
relate to your personal
experience, the learner
profile. What do you think of
the message? What is left
out? What are your feelings
about the extract?
Here is where you can
connect the passage and the
ideas expressed to the IB
English B themes, possibly to
the learner profiles, but also
to English-speaking cultures
and cultural trends. How is it
relevant to today’s world?
Remember to use connecting words, and ensure there is a logical progression to
your ideas. Try to foresee any questions you may be asked in the second half of
the commentary.