Commentary Writing: An Essential Guide for 2023

What is Commentary Writing?

Commentary writing is an essential part of the English language. It is a form of writing that expresses the writer’s perspective or opinion on a given topic. It can be written in a formal or informal style, depending on the purpose of the commentary. Commentary writing is used in many different types of writing, including literary criticism, journalism, and even creative writing.

How to Write a Commentary

When writing a commentary, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the commentary. This will help determine the tone and style of the writing. For example, if the commentary is for a literary criticism essay, the writer should use a more formal and analytical tone. If the commentary is for a creative writing piece, then the tone should be more relaxed and creative. Once the purpose of the commentary is established, the writer can begin to formulate their argument and ideas for the piece.

Step 1: Research and Gather Your Thoughts

The first step to writing a successful commentary is to do research and gather your thoughts. Research can include reading other commentaries, books on the subject, or any other material that is relevant to the topic. Once the research is complete, the writer should begin to organize their thoughts and ideas into an outline form. This will help them stay on track when writing the actual commentary.

Step 2: Write Your Commentary

Once the outline is complete, the writer can begin to write the commentary. It is important to stay focused on the main points and not to get distracted by other ideas. The commentary should be written in an organized and logical manner, so that the reader can easily follow along and understand the writer’s argument. The writer should also make sure to include evidence to support their argument.

Step 3: Edit and Revise

The last step in writing a successful commentary is to edit and revise. The writer should read through their commentary to make sure that it is clear and that there are no errors. They should also make sure that their argument is supported by evidence and that their ideas are organized in a logical manner. Finally, the writer should make sure that their commentary is free of any grammar or spelling errors.

Examples of Commentary Writing

Example 1: Literary Criticism

In this example, the writer is writing a commentary for a literary criticism essay. The writer begins by providing an overview of the text they are critiquing and then goes into an in-depth analysis of the text. They discuss the themes of the text and how they relate to the author’s larger body of work. The writer also provides evidence from the text to support their argument. They conclude by giving their overall opinion of the text.

Example 2: Journalism

In this example, the writer is writing a commentary for a news article. The writer begins by summarizing the article and providing their own opinion on the subject. They also provide evidence to back up their opinion. The writer then goes into an in-depth analysis of the article, discussing the implications of the story and its impact on society. They end the commentary with their overall opinion of the article.

Example 3: Creative Writing

In this example, the writer is writing a commentary for a creative writing piece. The writer begins by summarizing the piece and providing their own opinion on the story. They also provide evidence to back up their opinion. The writer then goes into an in-depth analysis of the story, discussing the themes and how they relate to the author’s larger body of work. The writer concludes by giving their overall opinion of the piece.

Conclusion

Commentary writing is an important part of the English language. It is a form of writing that expresses the writer’s perspective or opinion on a given topic. Commentary writing can be used in many different types of writing, including literary criticism, journalism, and even creative writing. When writing a commentary, it is important to keep in mind the purpose of the commentary and to provide evidence to support the argument. Finally, it is important to edit and revise the commentary to ensure that it is free of any grammar or spelling errors.