Commentary Paper
Select a
controversial issue that is currently under debate in the news as a topic for your
commentary. The first 2 steps below will help you narrow this topic into a
workable thesis. In your paper, you will analyze the issue as well as advance a
position on it. Chapter 3 in Trimbur's Call to Write deals with
strategies for writing persuasively, and Chapter 9 focuses specifically on
writing a commentary. Both of these chapters must be consulted to complete this
assignment correctly.
Step 1: Topic Selection
Do Journal 11 and Journal 12. These journals
require reading Chapters 3 and 9 in Call to Write. Also, read the
postings in IEDP and post your own. (See syllabus regarding dates for postings
on IEDP.) As you select your topic for this paper, keep in mind that you might
be using the same topic for follow-up assignments, namely the review and
research paper assignments. Thus, select a topic that excites you enough that
you will want to explore it in-depth over time.
Step 2: Proposal
Once you
complete Step 1, you need to write a one-paragraph topic proposal. This
proposal must include all of the following:
A thesis statement (what you want
to prove or your central point)
A brief
description summarizing your topic and key points to be addressed
Information
about the kinds of evidence you plan to use
A
statement telling why you selected this topic
Step 3: Review Sample
Commentaries
See the
numerous samples in Trimbur's text in Chapters 3 and 9
See the
student sample on pp.363-366, and do the workshop questions 1-3. (See Journal 12.)
Step 4: Review Strategies for
Writing a Commentary
See Trimbur, Chapter 3:
Argumentative Strategies
For specific writing
strategies, see Trimbur, pp. 356-361
Framing the issue
Possible strategies for
framing the opening:
Explain
the cause or origin of the issue
Explain
how you became aware of the issue
Explain
points and principles you share with potential readers
Use
examples and personal anecdotes
Possible strategies for framing the closing:
Point
out the consequences of your position
Reaffirm
values and beliefs you share with potential readers
Make
recommendations
Call
on readers to take action
Emphasizing the main point
Use the
introduction to state the main point and forecast the direction of your
commentary
Use
details, facts, and other information to support your main point
Explain
and elaborate upon the information provided to prove your main point
Connect
the parts of your commentary to show how they collectively prove your point
Address
counter arguments
Use
your conclusion to punctuate your main point and bring closure to your
commentary
Step 5: First Draft
Be sure
to compile a good set of notes before you begin
Review
your notes to figure out an effective way to organize your commentary
If
helpful, write an outline to help you with ordering your information
Draft
your first copy, keeping in mind some of the strategies listed above in Step 4
Step 6: Consult Outside
Sources and Revise
Review
your draft and decide where you need more information
Use
IEDP to get ideas and check out your ideas with readers
Consult
sources such as newspapers, magazines, and essays
Add new
information to strengthen and develop your commentary
Show
your revised draft to readers and seek their advice
Consider
readers' advice and revise accordingly
Step 7: Revise Further
Check
organization
Add
more support and details
Strengthen
your beginning and ending
Check
your argumentative strategies (see Trimbur, Chapter 3)
Incorporate
MLA references and write a Works Cited page
Step 8: Revision Based on
Structured Feedback
Participate
in class peer review, and also use peer review questions for feedback from
additional readers (e.g., ARC writing tutors)
Make
needed revisions to strengthen and tighten your argument
Step 9: Finalize Your
Draft
Edit
for coherence, sentence structure, transitions, mechanics and usage
Check
to see that all sources are acknowledged and your use of MLA is correct
Use
proofreading strategies
Read
line-by-line
Read
paper out loud
Read
paper backwards
Use
computer spelling and grammar checker
Use
a thesaurus and dictionary
Consult
grammar handbook
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria
will be used to evaluate your essay:
Organization and Coherence: logical development of ideas to support your thesis and the use of
effective transitions to connect ideas to your main point
Clarity and Fluidity: the ease with which a reader can follow your writing
Critical Thinking: the depth of thinking and critical insights offered, including your
ability to convince your readers of the credibility of your stance on the issue
explored
Development of Ideas: elaboration, explanation, and inclusion of adequate support and detail
Mechanics, Usage, and Academic Integrity
(Acknowledging Sources): sentence
structure, parallelism, punctuation, verb tenses, subject-verb and
pronoun-antecedent agreement, correct word choices, MLA referencing, etc.
Syllabus | Journal 11 | Journal 12
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