Adding Insightful Paragraph Commentary

In the context of AP English language and composition exam, adding insightful commentary is essential for crafting a compelling rhetorical essay. This technique involves deeply analyzing and explaining evidence using various rhetorical devices to strengthen your argument. By integrating thoughtful commentary, you enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your essay, making your analysis more insightful and your writing more effective. Understanding how to connect evidence to your thesis with precision is crucial for demonstrating critical thinking and mastery of rhetorical context.

Learning Objectives

By studying the topic of adding insightful paragraph commentary, students will achieve several critical learning objectives. They will enhance their article writing and academic essay skills by learning to effectively explain and analyze evidence. Students will be able to craft a strong analytical essay thesis and provide meaningful commentary that connects evidence to the thesis within the rhetorical context. They will learn to incorporate rhetorical devices to strengthen their rhetorical essays and argumentative writing. Additionally, students will gain proficiency in summarizing and analyzing content, including article summaries and case summaries, demonstrating a deep understanding of rhetoric and enhancing their overall analytical abilities.

Understanding Insightful Commentary

Definition

Insightful commentary is the analysis and interpretation of evidence, explaining its relevance, significance, and connection to the argument or thesis.

Purpose

• Enhance Understanding: Helps the reader understand the importance of the evidence.
• Strengthen Arguments: Clarifies how the evidence supports the thesis.
• Show Critical Thinking: Demonstrates the writer’s ability to analyze and interpret information.

Structure of Paragraph Commentary

Topic Sentence

• Definition: A sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
• Purpose: Sets the stage for the evidence and commentary to follow.

Evidence

• Definition: Facts, quotes, examples, or data that support the topic sentence.
• Purpose: Provides concrete support for the argument.

Commentary

• Definition: Analysis and interpretation of the evidence.
• Purpose: Explains the significance of the evidence and how it supports the thesis.

Concluding Sentence

• Definition: A sentence that wraps up the paragraph and links back to the thesis.
• Purpose: Provides a sense of closure and reinforces the main point.

Techniques for Adding Insightful Commentary

Ask Questions

• What does the evidence mean?
• Why is it important?
• How does it support the thesis?
• What are the implications?

Connect to the Thesis

• Directly relate the commentary to the thesis statement.
• Show how the evidence advances the overall argument.

Use Transitional Phrases

• Examples: “This shows that,” “This highlights,” “This suggests,” “Therefore,” “As a result,”
• Helps to clearly link evidence and commentary.

Examples

Example 1: Literary Analysis

Topic Sentence: “In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus Finch to demonstrate moral integrity.”

Evidence: “Atticus tells Scout, ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.'”

Commentary: “This quote highlights Atticus’s belief in empathy and understanding, which are central to his moral philosophy. By teaching Scout to see things from others’ perspectives, Atticus embodies the novel’s theme of compassion and justice. This supports the thesis that Atticus represents moral integrity, as his actions and teachings consistently reflect these values.”

Concluding Sentence: “Thus, Atticus’s guidance to Scout underscores his role as a moral compass in the novel.”

Example 2: Rhetorical Analysis

Topic Sentence: “In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. effectively uses pathos to appeal to his audience’s emotions.”

Evidence: “King describes the ‘fierce urgency of now’ and the ‘sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent.'”

Commentary: “King’s vivid imagery and emotive language evoke a sense of immediate and pressing injustice. By highlighting the urgency and intensity of the civil rights struggle, King connects with his audience on an emotional level, compelling them to recognize the need for immediate action. This use of pathos strengthens his argument by making it emotionally resonant and persuasive.”

Concluding Sentence: “King’s emotional appeal thus plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of his speech.”