The written commentary Paper 1

What IS a commentary A commentary is written or oral analysis of literature. A commentary isn’t summary; don’t tell us what the text is about Commentary focuses on literary devices and structure that is of significance in a literary work. Commentary focuses on determining WHY an author chose the develop the work by using those devices. – How do these devices relate to the work as a whole? How do they develop plot/theme/imagery/etc. What is the effect or outcome of using these devices?

How to approach the poem for a written commentary: 1) Mark it up 2) Reflect on the title 3) Summarize the basic sense of the poem – This poem is about… 4) Paraphrase any problematic lines AND key sentences 5) Note the poet’s use of language – How is the diction? Casual, formal, jargon… – How is the syntax? 6) Map the poem’s tensions and contrasts – Conflict in the poem – Past vs. present – Shifts 7) Scan the poem for structure – Is there rhyme scheme? Half-rhyme (as in Hour)? – Traditional forms (Ballads, sonnets) ? 8) interpret! – This should always be backed up with direct textual evidence and you should focus on some organizing principles or unifying features, so that you can tie them together for the essay later.

How to structure the commentary Every commentary needs an introduction and a conclusion. – The introduction tells your audience where you are going and what you are going to talk about. – The conclusion restates where you have been once it is all said and done, but leaves the audience with something to think about. The Introduction: Introduce the text (by identifying its genre, for example or situating it within other texts) and your thesis about it. Your thesis should be YOUR interpretation supported by the organizing principles that you found in the text. Conclusion: – You should restate your thesis and main points, but also reflect upon where the text leaves us. Ex: What are we left to think about? How universal are these themes and ideas?

How to organize the bodies Linear: – This structure moves sequentially through a text, analyzing its progression in sections. This can work well when there is a clear sense of development in a text (Ex: Education for Leisure, Give). – Warning: This approach can trap students into summary-mode! Conceptual: – This kind of approach divides the commentary into different aspects of language or content and supporting the points with specific references from the text as the analysis is made.

Tips for successful commentaries Quotations and examples are a must! – You should be able to support each of your points with specific and direct evidence from the text. Don’t use slang. Use formal language. Don’t pass judgment on the behavior of the people in the passage or the greatness of the author. Don’t write about what might happen before or after the text – just treat the passage you have as complete.