Exam Commentary Structure

1
Exam Commentary Structure

• The following notes will help you prepare
  yourself to write an exam commentary on an
  extract from either a novel, or a play, or a
  selection of poems.
• Remember
• You have 50 minutes to write your answer, so its
  important that you use your time efficiently

2
Exam Commentary Structure Language Hints

• Before you read on, make sure you understand that
  your writing style should be formal and objective
  when writing a commentary generally you are not
  asked for personal opinions
• Avoid using the first person I or We say
  instead, This commentary or The present
  study
• Avoid contractions doesnt, cant, wont
  etc.
• Avoid using slang phrases
• Avoid writing generalisations in your commentary,
  especially in the introduction
• Avoid using quotes just for the sake of quoting
  (ie. without explaining) use the Rule of
  Three

3
Commentary Structure

• Preliminary
• (10 mins)

Planning (12 mins)
Writing (24 mins)
Introduction (2 mins)
Section 1 (7 mins)
Section 2 (7 mins)
Section 3 (7 mins)
Conclusion (1 min)
Re-reading (4 mins)
4
Commentary Structure Preliminary (10 mins)

• Give yourself 5 minutes to scan through the
  extract and questions
• Once youve selected the commentary question,
  highlight the key words and re-write it your own
  words
• Give yourself another 5 minutes to re-read the
  extract in the light of the question,
  highlighting key words phrases literary
  effects using a colour coding system
• Remember continuously refer back to the question
  when writing your essay

5
Commentary Structure Planning the Commentary

• Planning needs to be detailed and thorough
• Give yourself approximately a third of the
  writing time for planning ie. third of 35 mins
  12 mins
• Use this planning time as follows
• Introduction 2 mins
• Three Sections 3 mins each
• Conclusion 1 min
• Write your plan in bullet points or short
  phrases/sentences theres no need to write in
  full sentences yet
• Sketch in relevant quotes (except for the
  introduction)

6
Commentary Structure Introduction (2 mins)

• Start with the word When and give a concrete
  example that relates to the question When Orwell
  describes the destruction of the Windmill, he
  creates tension by
• Dont quote write the example in your own words
• Explain how the example relates to the question
  ie. explain why you have chose this example This
  is a good example to answer the question,
  because it shows
• Introduce the three main sections of the
  commentary these will depend on the question you
  are answering This commentary will be divided
  into three sections firstly, secondly, and
  thirdly,
• Dont use bullet points for this use a full
  sentence
• Note Your introduction should have a maximum of
  three sentences

7
Commentary Structure Sections 1, 2, 3 (7 mins
each)

• The poetry question usually asks you to compare
  and contrast two poems think back to your
  coursework comparative essays to help you prepare
  yourself to write this answer
• Remember to use quotes remember to explain
  these quotes
• Remember to identify literary effects like
  metaphors, similes, personification, simple
  complex sentences etc.
• Try to write 1-2 paragraphs for each section
• The section headings will always depend on the
  question youre answering eg. How does the
  author create tension/excitement/fear/sympathy/dra
  ma etc. in the extract
• As a general guide, use the following headings

8
Commentary Structure Sections 1, 2, 3 (7 mins
each)

• For novels/plays
• Section 1 Look at how setting/atmosphere
  contributes to the question topic
• Section 2 Look at how characterisation
  contributes to the question topic
• Section 3 Look at how language contributes to
  the question topic

9
Commentary Structure Sections 1, 2, 3 (7 mins
each)

• For poems
• Section 1 Look at how imagery contributes to
  the question topic
• Section 2 Look at how emotion/tone contributes
  to the question topic
• Section 3 Look at how language contributes to
  the question topic

10
Commentary Structure Conclusion (1 min)

• This should be brief and to the point and refer
  back to the question
• Sum up your points and show that you have
  answered the question as fully as you could in
  the available time In conclusion, the main
  points of this commentary areThis shows that the
  commentary has covered the key aspects of the
  question in the time available.
• Note the conclusion should have a maximum of two
  sentences

11
Commentary Structure Re-reading (4 mins)

• Always give yourself time to re-read your essay
  this could make the difference between a D and a
  C Grade
• The more time you can bank for re-reading, the
  better
• Check for spellings, grammar, punctuation
• Do not use tip-ex for corrections
• Cross out mistakes by putting one line through
  the error