ib english written commentary

IB Assessments… where the commentary is

Commentary is

“a literary composition with a definite subject consisting of a

systematic series of comments or annotations on the text of a literary

work.” (OED)

An analysis of the words on the

page

OR

an analysis of

author techniques

used in the creation of meaning

“To give a reading of a work which increases

the audience’s

understanding of it.”

Concerns / Motivations of:

Character, Narrator, Speaker

The

and emotion

through the passage

Stating the obvious…

patterns, voice/tone, imagery, argument

Mention author’s name to introduce

each idea

Mention “the reader”

often

those who understand

that literature is a creation

which needs to

be examined.

1)Look at Structure

2) Discuss Meaning of passages without assuming it is only to be found during a treasure hunt or must inevitably become a lecture about life.

Concentrate on the way in which a character is presented or a scene is set

or an image is developed

An integration of:

interpretation of the content

discussion of the technique Assessment of the effects achieved

The ideal commentary treats literary techniques

as inseparable from meaning (with a focus on how the features develop

meaning)

Stronger candidates stated a kind of overview of what the piece was about, and then set about showing how this was achieved.

Always Tie Technique with Meaning

Metaphor

Resist the urge to simply list what you see.

Strike a balance

between literal reading and

over- interpretation.

the passage or poem is not a kind of puzzle with a definite solution.

DO NOT turn commentaries into lengthy, personal, pseudo-philosophical musings on the themes

raised by the passages.

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