Recap
Commentary is the writer’s explanation of how evidence supports a claim. The course framework says effective use of evidence uses commentary to establish a logical relationship between evidence and claim, and that writers introduce source material with commentary so that it fits their line of reasoning. Evidence does not speak for itself.
The chain
Claim → Evidence → Commentary (what it means, how it supports the claim, why it matters) → back to the Claim.
Jobs of commentary
| Job | Question |
|---|---|
| Explain | What does the evidence mean? |
| Connect | Why does it support this claim? |
| Interpret | What does it suggest or reveal? |
| Evaluate | How strong or effective is it? |
| Extend | What follows for the audience or argument? |
The minimum is explain and connect.
The commentary ladder
- Repeat the claim or evidence (little credit).
- Label the device (“this is a metaphor”) (little credit).
- Explain what the evidence means.
- Connect it to the claim.
- Extend to the larger significance or audience effect.
The sandwich
Lead-in (source, point, precise verb) + evidence (embedded) + commentary (explain, connect, extend).
Worked mini-example
Emerson, “Self-Reliance” (1841): “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Weak: “This shows Emerson doesn’t like consistency.” Strong: the word “hobgoblin” (an imaginary bogeyman) makes the fear of contradicting oneself seem imaginary; “little” repeated belittles those who prize consistency above truth; and “foolish” shows that the target is only the rigid kind. The strong version explains a word, connects it to the claim, notices a pattern and refines the claim.
Roosevelt, 1910: “the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better”. Commentary: the critic’s work is watching another’s failure and imagining a better outcome he never has to attempt, so his contribution is hypothetical while the doer’s is real; worth is measured by effort and risk.
Starting points
- “This detail suggests…”
- “By choosing X rather than Y, the writer…”
- “This supports the claim because…”
- “The effect on the audience is…”
- “This matters because…”
Avoid repeating “this shows that” as a habit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Repeating the claim as commentary.
- Summarising the quotation.
- Naming a device and stopping.
- Leaving evidence with no commentary.
- Padding with long commentary that does not add.
- Forgetting the lead-in.
Quick self-check
- What is commentary? The writer’s explanation of how evidence supports a claim.
- Why is “This is a metaphor” weak? It labels a device but does not say what it does.
- What is the minimum for good commentary? Explain what the evidence means and connect it to the claim.
- What does a lead-in do? It names the source, states the point and frames what to notice.
- Which is stronger: summary or analysis of word choice? Analysis of word choice.
For the full explanation and worked examples, return to the study guide.