Literary commentary is a type of literary analysis writing that is usually specific for the International Baccalaureate (IB) exam, which is an international qualification test for entrance to top universities, for the subject of language and literature. Knowing how to write an effective literary commentary will help you to succeed in your IB English qualification. In addition, some elements of writing literary commentary will be useful for other formal assessments that have an essay writing component.
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Part 1 of 3: Text Analysis
Step 1. Read the given text excerpt
Read the text once in its entirety to get the gist of the quote. Think about the general message conveyed as a whole and identify characters or objects that seem important. Determine the type of writing in the quote (prose, poetry, poetry of a special kind, non-fiction, fiction, etc.). You can note the initial reactions that appear at certain passages in the text so that these passages can be used as your reference in writing literary comments.
Step 2. Reread the quote for details
When you've read it once, go back to the beginning and reread the quote. This time, underline important keywords or phrases, and write your notes in the margins. You can also create visual cues, for example with arrows indicating a relationship. You will need to read the quote at least twice, but if you have enough time, you can read it three or four times to make sure you know all the details raised.
Step 3. Analyze the important parts you wrote down in your notes
Think about the important elements of the quote that you want to highlight and explain in your writing. You need to identify and prepare the big picture and reading details that support it in your writing.
The following example will be taken from the poem by Seamus Heaney, "Blackberry-Picking."
Step 4. Identify the main elements in the text
The main elements in question include details on the big picture, namely context, plot, setting, and characters or figures. Some of the elements included are:
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Theme/Topic/Subject – What is the main point of the text? You'll find a few themes, but try to find a key or two to cover. This will help you to consider the information you have, such as the author's name or the date the article was written.
The core subject of the whole poem "Blackberry-Picking" is about two people picking a large number of blackberries
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Audience/Purpose – Define the author's goals and objectives. Is the text persuasive, informative, or descriptive? Mention the subtext and any irony and satire that appears.
- The dedication of "Blackberry-Picking" to Philip Hobsbaum indicates that he along with the general public are the people Heaney addresses who may be the audience of his poetry.
- One way to express the purpose of the poem is to say, "Heaney wants to reflect on the purity of young people as they mourn the inevitable passage of time."
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Voice – Who is speaking? State whether the text uses a first person or third person point of view. If it's a first person point of view, is the voice coming from the author or someone else? To whom is the text addressed? In this case, you also need to mention the setting and explain how it affects the sound and overall meaning of the text.
The poem "Blackberry-Picking" is written in first person in the plural, as it is told that there are two characters in it. The speaker appears to be an older man contemplating the blackberry picking days of his youth
Step 5. Analyze the formal elements in the text
Discuss the form and arrangement used in the text, not what the author says (eg the content of the article), but how he or she tells it. The structure used can be:
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Structure/Structure – determine the structure (fiction/nonfiction, essay, journal, travel writing, etc.) and structure of the text. Is the text a circular narrative or a retrospective text? Look for the easiest way to divide the text into sections (physical or otherwise). Determine how the structure and arrangement used affects the meaning or message of the text.
"Blackberry-Picking" is an open-ended poem consisting of two irregular stanzas. You might say that this arrangement can be attributed to the boys' erratic freedom of movement as they run while picking blackberries
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Diction – Discussion of the lexical field. Make an observation about the types of words the author uses – whether there is a theme (happiness, worry, etc.) that emerges in the choice of words. You also need to address words out of place – what impact will they have on the reader? Does the word contribute to the theme?
The poem "Blackberry Picking" is rich in diction or word choice that can be analyzed. Some of the most striking words are "Summer's blood", "lust for/ Picking," "plate of eyes," "hands were peppered," and "rat-grey fungus glutting on our cache."
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Rhythm/Rhythm/Sound Effects – Talk about a rhyme pattern (if applicable). What effect does this have on the overall theme? Explain the rhythm in the quote (even if this is reflected in the poem, don't forget to check it in prose). Are there any changes? Also pay attention to other things like alliteration. However, be careful at this point – if the rhyme/rhythm/sound effects don't seem to have any effect, it's best not to mention or explain it.
The poem "Blackberry-Picking" does not have a regular rhyming pattern, but there are some rhymes at the end and in the middle such as "sun/one" and "clot/knot"
Step 6. Pay attention to other details in the text
Now that you've figured out what the quote is actually talking about as well as the main idea conveyed as a whole, it's time to take a closer look at the details in the article. Detailed reading in writing comments includes the following:
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Tone/Atmosphere – Discuss the atmosphere in the article. Are there strong emotions or feelings present throughout the story? Discuss how the author created this effect (consider word choice, rhythm, and syntax). Again mention the setting and its effect on the atmosphere that is awakened.
The atmosphere in the poem “Blackberry-Picking” changes from a cheerful exploring atmosphere for youth to a more serious one because of the impact of the boys' actions as unintended consequences
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Sensory Details – Discuss how the senses can be used to make scenes more clear to the reader. Don't forget to always relate your observations to the main importance of the text as a whole.
Blackberry-Picking poems have some sensory details, such as "the flesh was sweet/ Like thickened wine" and "Our hands were peppered/ With thorn pricks"
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Imagery – This is the most important sensory detail. Is there a visual image presented in the text? Discuss the metaphors and similes used in the text (both are isolated and exhaustive examples in the text).
In Blackberry-Picking there are also parables, such as "we found a fur, /A rat-grey fungus, glutting on our cache" and "summer's blood was in it/ Leaving stains upon the tongue"
Part 2 of 3: Writing Preparation
Step 1. Design your comment
Take note of the important points you need to cover. Arrange these points in a logical and appropriate order so that your writing can look neat and clear. Look for quotations from the text you are analyzing for each point. Be sure to mention the main points of your analysis. (listed above, in section 1).
Your design can be a bulleted list or an outline stating what you are going to describe: a commentary on "Blackberry-Picking" can be composed of, introduction, plot, character of the speaker, arrangement and rhythm, literary device (simile or figure of speech).), rhythm, rhyme, word choice, effects for readers, and conclusion
Step 2. Define your arguments
Each essay must be controlled by an argument, usually in the form of a thesis statement or topic sentence. You should always have a reason to write an essay (other than a necessity.)
Your thesis for the poem "Blackberry-Picking" might be something like, "Heaney uses the basis of "Blackberry-Picking" as a metaphor for the inevitable passage of time and the loss of youthful innocence."
Step 3. Expand your idea beyond the text
Analyzing the content of the text is important, but it would be better if you expand your analysis to a larger section of the text. You can analyze the context around you, such as the author's life or historical background.
In the example of "Blackberry-Picking," the thesis above (Heaney uses the basis of "Blackberry-Picking" as a metaphor for the inevitable passage of time and the disappearance of youthful innocence,) expands the content of a poem containing only blackberry picking into a powerful life lesson. bigger
Step 4. Distinguish between speaker/narrator and writer
As you analyze, make sure you make a distinction between what the speaker (in poetry) or the narrator (in prose) does and what the writer does.
- In the poem "Blackberry-Picking," Heaney creates the effect by using sensory imagery such as "summer's blood" and "rat-grey fungus". The author gets a choice about the inclusion or exclusion of a particular element in the work.
- In the poem "Blackberry-Picking," the speaker describes picking blackberries in his youth. (You cannot assume that the speaker is the author; it may be a character created by the author).
Part 3 of 3: Writing Literary Commentaries
Step 1. Write an effective introduction
A good introduction can catch the reader's attention, introduce relevant information about the text, for example information about the author and title (write the title punctuation correctly). Also, state your argument in relation to your analysis – in other words, explain why you wrote the comment.
Step 2. Write your comments
Now that you have a clear idea of what you are going to explain and you have introduced the topic, you can start writing the body of your comment. Things you need to pay attention to:
- Do not write pronouns in the first or second person. Exceptions are only for conclusions – first-person clues are only used to clarify points previously outlined.
- Avoid using abbreviations – “no” is better than using abbreviations like “not”, if you're writing in English, using “did not” or “cannot” is better than “didn't” or “can't”. Likewise with other abbreviations such as "etc", "etc", "dst", "eg" or if in English it is "ex:" and "etc." Make sure you use good and correct language.
- If you're writing in English, make sure you use the "present tense". Literary works will always refer to things in the present. When you analyze a poem, make sure you use tenses that refer to the present, not the past.
- If you use a clause at the beginning of a sentence, make sure it is short.
Step 3. Avoid summarizing or rephrasing the story
Your writing should be an analysis of an argument about the text; not a summary of the text. You can avoid the tendency to summarize by focusing the discussion on small sections of the text. In discussing the passages, you can present examples in a non-chronological order (in order that does not fit the text).
Step 4. Insert a quote from the text
You must provide direct evidence from the text provided in your essay. Make sure the part of the text you quote is short (about a sentence or phrase), and relate the quote to your writing. The quote should be analyzed separately from your explanation. In addition, quotations must also be marked with quotation marks.
- Example: The speaker in the poem “Blackberry-Picking” complains, “I always felt like crying. It wasn't fair / That all the lovely canfuls smelt of rot."
- Use a forward slash (/) to indicate a break in a line in a poem.
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Use the “PIE” method: Make a Point, Illustrate (with a quote), and Elaborate or explain (why the quote illustrates your point effectively).
For example, Heaney uses several references to color the poem "Blackberry-Picking," writing "a glossy purple clot/ Among others, red, green, hard as a knot." The use of these colors creates vivid details and details that the reader can visualize
Step 5. Draw a conclusion
A conclusion should clearly and concisely summarize all the information discussed in the body of the comment without adding any new ideas or ideas related to your argument. However, you are allowed to add relevant personal opinions in the conclusion section.
Tips
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When you write comments about prose, keep the following in mind:
Focus on the author's writing style. Discuss the effects of the combination of literary devices used, not just the individual authors' instruments
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When you write comments about poetry, keep the following in mind:
- When talking about “voice”, talk about “the speaker” or the “character” created. Avoid using the word narrator to refer to the person speaking in the poem.
- Remember that poetry is usually aimed at the audience, not the reader.
