This document discusses meta-commentary, which is commentary about commentary that helps readers interpret what an author has said. Meta-commentary offers new perspectives to help readers better understand points. It functions like a voiceover, explaining what is happening. Authors should use meta-commentary for two reasons: to help readers who may not fully understand an argument, and to help authors develop and expand on their own ideas. Important forms of meta-commentary include titles and subtitles, which provide insight into what an essay may be about.

1. Chapter 10

2. Have you ever heard of the prefix “meta”?
For example, “metaphysics,” or “meta-
language”?
Meta means “about” or “about its own
category.”
So, “meta-physics” actually means “the
physics of physics” and “meta-
commentary” translates to “commentary
about commentary.”

3. Keeping the phrase “commentary about
commentary” in mind then…
1. What is meta-commentary?

4.  Meta-commentary is telling your readers
how to interpret what you’ve just said, but
by offering new points in order to better
understand it.
 It is a way of commenting on your claims
and telling readers how and how not to
think about them.

5. •Think of meta-
commentary like your
Greek chorus or voice-over
to a movie.
•The meta-commentary
functions as an explaining
voice or commentator to
what is happening in the
play, on the screen, etc.

6. What are some reasons why writers should
use meta-commentary?

7.  Reason #1: No matter how clear and
concise your writing is, readers can still
fail to understand it in a number of ways.
• Readers may not follow your argument; or they
may follow your premises but not understand
your conclusion.
• Therefore, they need you to help them grasp
what you really mean.

8.  Reason #2: Meta-commentary helps you,
the writer, to develop your ideas and
generate more text.
• It can help you extract the full potential from your
ideas, drawing out important implications,
explaining ideas from different perspectives, and
so forth.

9. In other words, she doesn’t realize how
right she is.
What ______really means is__________.
My point is not _______but ___________.
Ultimately, then, my goal is to demonstrate
that ______________.

10. What is one of the most important forms of
meta-commentary and how does it work?

11.  The title (and subtitle) of an essay can function
as an important meta-commentary.
 It stands separate from the text and provides
some insight or comment on what the essay
might be about.
 Subtitles can further explain and/or elaborate
on the the main title—so like meta-commentary
for the meta-commentary!

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