Fundamental Principles of Commentary Writing

1. THE COMMENTARY SENTENCE

There is a standard type of sentence to use when writing a commentary which fulfills the following three functions:
i) it identifies the language feature
ii) it provides the text reference
iii) it explains what the effect is

Here is an example drawn from the recent Dickens text.

"Pip expresses the stunning impact made by Miss Havisham the first time he sees her, 'the strangest lady I have ever seen, or shall ever see.' The use of the superlative strangest clearly exclaims that no other person on earth could possibly be as strange as Miss Havisham. The repetitious have seen/shall ever see emphasises this point by stating that she is unique through time. Thus the reader is given a clear idea of the amazing and life-changing effect that this old lady has and is likely to have on Pip's life".

You will see that my commentary sentence is actually four sentences, but this is OK. It is because I had rather a lot to say. The principle remains the same for one, two, three or four sentences. Can you identify each function within my example?

Look at all your sample commentaries - you will see what I am talking about.