Literary Commentary
and Analysis
Important Terms:
Criticism, Commentary,
Analysis
 First, “criticism” and “commentary” mean the exact
same thing, so don’t be confused if you see these words
used interchangeable.
 Second, we will use the word “commentary” because
that is the word IB uses the most.
 Third, a commentary is a literary analysis, which is
essentially a close study of the elements that contribute
to the success, or failure, of a work of literature.
Immediate Goals of
Literary Commentary
 In a literary commentary you want to:
1. Understand the text
2. Be able to identify and comment on the literary features
of the text
3. Be able to organize your findings into a coherent piece
of writing
Long Term Goals of
Literary Commentary
 Being able to analyze texts will not only help you in your exams but
it is also an important skill to acquire for other reasons:
1.
It enables you to appreciate the skills in writing and therefore
enhance your appreciation of literature
2.
It will help you improve your own writing style when you recognize
that you can use a wide range of techniques
3.
You become more aware that language shapes meaning and can be
used for manipulation. In life, a necessary and crucial skill is being
able to evaluate the messages and information with which we are
bombarded on a daily basis. This will greatly enhance our ability to
critically think (Compare with Fahrenheit 451!!!).
Getting Started: Mountain
Range
 As you develop your own style and advance as a literary
student, you will find you can approach literary commentary
from a variety of angles.
 For now, use the Mountain Range Activity to help you find a
focus on a theme or message in the literary work.
 When forming criticism on literature, if our commentary is on
the overall value of the piece, a strong theme is very
important. If the literary work is simply for silly
entertainment, then it will not have a strong universal
message, and therefore will not stand the test of time. We can
likely conclude that it is not a “good” work.
Literary Elements
(Devices)
 In addition to theme, every author will incorporate
various literary elements into their writing in order to
enhance the overall meaning or message, or to add a
certain artistic quality that challenges the reader to think
more critically.
 What are the elements? Theme, conflict,
characterization, structure, imagery, language,
diction…and the list goes on. Visit the resource section
of our webpage for a full list of literary elements
The Importance of
Language and Style
 Language is, of course, of paramount importance when
analyzing literature. Particularly in English, which has a
very rich vocabulary because of the fusion of Germanic
and French and Latin, writer love to play with language
and use it effectively to communicate their message.
 Each writer, then, develops his/her own unique style and
it is up to you to capture, understand, and describe that
style and how it is used by the writer to communicate
effectively.
Denotation and
Connotation
 Literary criticism is concerned with looking very closely
at not just the meanings of words but also their
associations.
 All words of DENOTATIONS, which is the dictionary
definition, and CONNOTATIONS, which are
associations connected with that word.
 This is what we work on when we do writer’s effect
questions. It is through the connotations that the effect is
generated, and that is what you want to identify.
Approaching Literary
Commentary
 The Mountain Range Activity is a great way to get the
ball rolling. However, some students may prefer a more
structured approach until they start to feel more
comfortable.
 Use the Commentary Checklist given to in class, or
access it on our website. These 10 check points offer a
solid approach for beginners.
Assignment: The Rain
Horse
 Before our actual Performance Task next week, we have
to practice for an oral commentary. For “The Rain
Horse” we had a great discussion, and you developed a
thesis, and you chose a passage from the text for closer
reading.
 Using the Commentary Checklist, start answering the
questions, paying particular attention and detail to points
5, 7, 8, 9, and 10.