Why commentary? Defined as a “systematic series of explanations or interpretations,” commentary in your essay is your voice. Without your voice, there is nothing more than a summary or paraphrasing of the author’s words. Don’t leave your voice out of your essay. This is especially apparent in your vivid verbs and amazing adjectives !!!

Literary Analysis commentary should be more than a simple explanation; you need DEPTH… You can achieve more depth in your commentary with a strategy of your own. Try getting deeper with DEEP: D - Determine. Why does the author choose this particular rhetorical or literary strategy? E- Explain. What is the effect of the strategy? E- Extend. How does the effect relate to the author’s message? P- Project. What is the author saying about this issue in relation to the outside world, humanity, society, or life?

Here is an example for you: Prompt: How does Hawthorne use symbolism to develop themes in his novel? Concrete Detail: Hawthorne infuses color into the novel’s dreary setting with his lingering descriptions of the “sweet moral blossom” of a rosebush or the “lurid gleam” coming from the scarlet letter.

Determine: Why does the author choose this particular strategy? With all eyes of the Puritan settlement focused on Hester’s embellished red letter, Hawthorne perpetuates colorful symbolism as a way to draw attention from the reader’s eye to an important theme from The Scarlet Letter.

Explain: What is the effect of the strategy? One must presume that if the dreary lackluster setting is representative of the Puritan’s imposed self-denial, then the presence of color suggests a character flaw in the beholder.

Extend: How does the effect relate to the author’s message? Therefore, the bright interruption of the scarlet letter illuminates a society in which self- discovery is viewed as an impending threat to their continued existence.

Project: What is the author saying about this issue in relation to the outside world, humanity, society, or life? Perhaps this supposed threat had derived from a former tempting red apple- one which, theoretically, persuaded humanity into the sinful state that the Puritans sought to avoid at all costs.

Your turn…in a small group try your hand at going DEEPer in your commentary… *The following samples come from another prompt.

Developing Writer Sample: The letter contains many dark, oppressive words that contribute to Banneker’s opinion against slavery. Banneker uses “the horrors of its condition” to describe the horrific events that take place when people are enslaved. Banneker chooses to include these depressing words to appeal to pathos, and maybe Jefferson will feel guilty for what he is ignoring. When Jefferson feels guilty he will soon come to the realization that Banneker’s argue (argument) against slavery cannot be ignored. The longer you don’t acknowledge something as large of a problem as slavery, the faster and faster it will get into an even more massive situation. Finally, Banneker adds multiple allusions to argue against slavery…

Emerging Writer Sample Throughout the letter, Banneker’s emotional diction and repetitions of respect outline and support his case to Jefferson. Banneker, although a son of former slaves, writes to Jefferson with eloquence and clear articulation, demonstrating his intelligence is not beneath that of white people. By contrasting emotional phrases such as “hope and fortitude” against a passionate accusation that Jefferson is “detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of (his) brethren under groaning captivity,” Banneker illustrates his knowledge and shows Jefferson that he is not just another angry black man ranting at him. Banneker writes in this sophisticated style in order to get Thomas Jefferson to see him as an intellectual equal and not give him reason to rebuke his claims. If Banneker can succeed in winning Jefferson over, then “hope and fortitude” could prevail over a nation hovering in a state of oppressive denial.

Advanced Writer Sample: Banneker must have found it difficult to criticize, arguably our smartest founding father, but Jefferson, like the rest of us, was flawed; and it was Banneker who exposed these faults. He wrote in his letter that Jefferson “clearly saw into the injustices of a state of slavery” and then allowed that “now, sir, that your abhorrence thereof was so excited, that you publicly held for this true and valuable doctrine,” referring to the Declaration of Independence. Banneker illustrates to Jefferson a time when his future, and the future of America was uncertain by using his (Jefferson’s) own words. Banneker triggers that feeling of fear and imminent doom, the memory of what it was like to be under the foot of another human being. And with this, the memory of fighting for those great freedoms for all of America, but his goal wasn’t fully accomplished as Banneker reminds Jefferson that not all of Americans were freed.