Commentary Template (2024)

FAQs

How do you write a commentary response? ›

As you listen, try to identify the structural parts of the commentary (lede, scene, argument, evidence and conclusion).

Ensure that each and every piece of evidence you provide is followed by at least two sentences of commentary/opinion which explain, or provide insight into, how the detail you have provided helps to prove your chosen topic. Avoid repetition.

Examples of commentary in a Sentence

The television show features political commentary by well-known journalists. The magazine includes humor and social commentary. The book is a commentary on her experiences abroad. I like listening to his social commentaries.

You are going to need at least two sentences of commentary for every detail sentence. A good rule of thumb is that your commentary should be twice as long as your details. Otherwise, your paper is just full of facts.

The key part of a successful commentary is a strong, clear thesis statement. Your thesis is your argument or your point of view. This is where you take a stance, and spend the rest of the essay supporting your thesis. Maybe you are writing a commentary on Great Expectations.

Introduction of a Literary Commentary

Begin this paragraph by providing a summary of the passage. Do not get carried away by stating issues that fall outside the material realm that you are analyzing. The assumption here is that the reader has already gone through the original passage.

The essay commentary aims to analyze the text read. You can write a comment on how the plot of the novel reveals the social situation of the era or how the author's life is evidenced in the text. The commentary can be based on one element of a literary work or analyze general features.

Even when giving commentary in the form of an opinion, avoid using subjective phrases like “I hope,” “I believe,” and “I think.” These are just throwaway phrases. They are redundant (you wrote the essay, so it is obvious you think, believe, or hope what is written), and they reduce your credibility.

What is one main purpose of commentary? ›

It may draw on methodologies of close reading and literary criticism, but its primary purpose is to elucidate the language of the text and the specific culture that produced it, both of which may be foreign to the reader.

Commentaries are usually very short articles, of around 1000-1500 words, and are in most cases invited by Editors from reviewers or experts in the field. They include a few references, and one or two tables and figures. Some journals require abstracts for commentaries, while others do not.

The format may include a short abstract (150 words); Commentaries should be no longer than 750 words, have 10 or fewer references and may have one table or figure. ...

A commentary is usually even shorter (around 1,000 words) and is focused on the initial article or an issue raised by that article. Hence, it usually does not have an abstract. The discussion it seeks to start can be quite provocative.

The structure of a response paper is standard for academic writing: there should be an introduction in which you present your source text and your response, body paragraphs in which you support and explain your response, and a conclusion that wraps up your paper and leaves your reader with something to think about.

This shows... This demonstrates... This means... or The words ___x__ in the passage mean... This illustrates/highlights/exemplifies...

An introductory paragraph will help you to remain focused on the key points as you write. For example, include an introduction where you provide the context for the work and state your thesis, followed by analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, themes, etc.