This document provides guidance on writing commentary for essays. It recommends including at least two points of commentary for every one point of concrete detail. Commentary requires analyzing and making judgments about details rather than just reporting them. When writing commentary on literature, first-person pronouns should be avoided, and comments should analyze what details reveal about characters and events rather than making subjective statements. The phrase "This shows that" can help structure commentary during the drafting process but should be removed from the final version.

1. What is commentary? An overview through an Approaches to Learning Lens

2. Writing commentary What does it mean? Giving an opinion Interpretation Insight Analysis Explication Personal reaction Feelings Evaluation Reflection

3. Writing commentary How much is needed? Two or more points of commentary (CM) for every one point of concrete detail (CD) in a body paragraph. The ratio is: CD : CM 1 : 2

4. Challenges Essays are not reports Essays require thinking Commentary demands extra effort A student said, “Thinking is hard work Why can’t we do matching and fill-in-the-blanks instead?” Thinking gets easier with practice

5. Writing commentary There are no “right” answers There are logical responses You must think of your own opinion You must explain and support your opinion

6. Literature commentary Literature commentary is different from personal commentary Students may not use: I, me, my, us, would, should, could, may, or might These words encourage the write to leave the story and become “preachy”

7. Literature commentary Example from Of Mice and Men “I hope I have a friend like George some day.” or “They should have gone on their way to another ranch.” These types of commentary do not strengthen your writing

8. Literature commentary “ This shows that…” If you get stuck, start your commentary sentences with “This shows that…” Example: In Of Mice and Men , George Milton looks out for Lennie’s welfare. For example, he tells Lennie not to say anything to Curley in the ranchhouse. This shows that he understands how easily Lennie gets into trouble without realizing it. This shows that he wants to keep Lennie out of harm’s way by shielding him from contact with strangers.

9. Personal commentary Working Example: My bedroom is the place where I like to relax and let go of the day’s worries. For example, I can play any music I want, from my mother’s old Beatles’ tapes to my own Boyz II Men compact discs. This shows that in my room I don’t have to be concerned about the sound bothering other family members. This shows that being able to listen to my songs in the privacy of my own room helps me unwind and take my mind away from daily problems.

10. Literature commentary “ This shows that…” Use this tool in when shaping your essay and writing your first draft, but you must eliminate the phrase in your final draft. Example: In Of Mice and Men , George Milton looks out for Lennie’s welfare. For example, he tells Lennie not to say anything to Curley in the ranchhouse. He understands how easily Lennie gets into trouble without realizing it. He wants to keep Lennie out of harm’s way by shielding him from contact with strangers.

11. Personal commentary Final Draft Example: My bedroom is the place where I like to relax and let go of the day’s worries. For example, I can play any music I want, from my mother’s old Beatles’ tapes to my own Boyz II Men compact discs. In my room I don’t have to be concerned about the sound bothering other family members. Being able to listen to my songs in the privacy of my own room helps me unwind and take my mind away from daily problems.