1. Paper 1 Dominant-effect thesis statement driven Commentary
12 School Days
Until Our Exam

2. WHAT’S A COMMENTARY AGAIN?
Commentary=close reading and interpretation of a passage presented in essay form
You will demonstrate
Understanding of thought (ideas) and feeling (emotions) of the passage
Support your points with detailed references to the passage (quotations)
Analyze and show appreciation of how the passage achieves its effects

3. For Paper I, how much should I write?
Flipping through finished practice exams, we can almost always predict scores based on length.
When we had kids write on notebook paper, double-spaced, I would tell them 6-8 pp = fully developed (this is when they have 2 hours); 4 pages or fewer = underdeveloped = will score lower

4. Writing an Introduction to your commentary…
Go straight to the literature
Write 2-3 sentences explaining what the poem or passage is about (shows understanding)
Write your thesis stating a clear argument about dominant effect (intellectual and emotional). Do NOT list a bunch of techniques.

5. Commentary Body Paragraphs
Nuanced evidence analyzed insightfully
Well-paragraphed
New idea, new paragraph
BTSs show the clear development of your argument, linking one idea to the next

6. Conclusion of your commentary
Don’t repeat
Briefly sum up what you’ve said
DRAW A CONCLUSION – so what?

7. Using Titles of Prose and Poetry Selections
Short story titles are related in quotes
In Karen Russell’s “Swamplandia!”, she uses [some dominant literary device] to [show something significant about the world].
Poem titles are related in quotes
**The Art of the Lathe is the book that the poem is published in, and you won’t need that title for your essay at all.
In B H Fairchild’s poem, “The Machinist, Teaching his Daughter to Play the Piano”, the author uses [some dominant literary device] to [show something significant about the world].

8. Structuring your Paper 1 Essay: Linear/Chronological
Moves sequentially
PROS:
Can work well when an extract has a clear sense of development
Topic statements (first sentences of paragraphs) can focus on points of transition
CONS:
Danger of falling into retelling

9. Structuring your Paper 1 Essay: Conceptual/Thematic
Organized by different aspects of content and language (Key Aspects/Ideas/Techniques)
EXAMPLE:
Par. 1: Character of Narrator
Par. 2: Her Relationship with her parents
Par. 3: Setting
Par. 4: Controlling Metaphor
Par.5: Etc..
Look at language/techniques as you go to support points

10. Structuring your Paper 1 Essay: Conceptual
PROS:
More holistic
Allows you to show more control over your thesis, and develop your ideas more coherently

11. Structuring your Paper 1 Essay: Remember…
No formula guarantees success
Careful thinking for yourself about the best way to structure your commentary is key

12. Plan for a Paper 1 Commentary
What kind of “reading” have you come up with?
Does it highlight a particular aspect of content or style?
Does it ask from where the poem gains its main strength?
Does it focus on a contrast or conflict, or a significant development?
What kinds of structure might you follow?
One that traces the linear development of the poem, or perhaps one that breaks the poem’s features down into concepts?
Once you’ve decided, create your outline