How to Improve Commentary for an AP Lang Synthesis Essay | Coach Hall Writes

Summary

In this video, Coach Hall teaches how to develop strong commentary in your AP Lang synthesis essay. He explains that commentary is your analysis of the evidence and suggests having more commentary than evidence. Key strategies include using power verbs, asking critical questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how), and incorporating personal experience or background knowledge to enhance your argument. By focusing on the deeper significance of the evidence, students can craft more meaningful and persuasive essays.

Takeaways

• 😀 Commentary in your AP Lang synthesis essay is your analysis, explaining the significance of your evidence.
• 😀 It's important to have more commentary than evidence in your body paragraphs, as commentary shows your original thoughts.
• 😀 A list of power verbs like 'highlights', 'illustrates', 'suggests', and 'conveys' can help you analyze and explain your evidence effectively.
• 😀 Asking questions like 'Who benefits from this issue?' and 'What are the pros and cons?' can help you develop your commentary.
• 😀 The 'who' questions help you consider the people impacted by the issue, which is essential for analysis and argument construction.
• 😀 The 'what' questions help you dive deeper into what can be done about the issue, helping you build your argument with layers of evidence.
• 😀 The 'when' questions can situate the issue in a historical context, which is useful for broader analysis.
• 😀 The 'where' questions help you consider the geographic or situational relevance of the issue, expanding the scope of your commentary.
• 😀 The 'why' questions are key to understanding the deeper meaning of the issue, explaining why it's important or worth discussing.
• 😀 The 'how' questions encourage you to think about practical solutions and the broader societal impact of the issue.
• 😀 Personal experience and outside knowledge can be powerful tools to enhance your commentary, making it more credible and relevant.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of commentary in an AP Lang synthesis essay?

Commentary in an AP Lang synthesis essay is used to explain the significance of the evidence in the body paragraphs. It involves analyzing the evidence, offering original thoughts, and making connections to develop a deeper understanding of the topic.

Why should commentary be more than just a summary of the evidence?

Commentary should be more than just a summary of the evidence because it allows the writer to showcase their original analysis and interpretation of the evidence. This helps in making a strong argument and demonstrating critical thinking.

How do power verbs help develop commentary in an essay?

Power verbs such as 'highlights', 'illustrates', 'suggests', and 'conveys' help students analyze and express the significance of the evidence more clearly. By using these verbs effectively, students can strengthen their commentary and ensure that their analysis is strong and meaningful.

What are some useful questions to ask when developing commentary?

Questions like 'Who benefits from this issue?', 'What are the pros and cons?', 'When is the situation harmful or beneficial?', 'Why is this issue important?', and 'How can change be made?' are useful for digging deeper into the topic and developing strong commentary.

How can 'who' questions aid in developing commentary?

'Who' questions, such as 'Who benefits from this issue?' and 'Who is disadvantaged?' help identify the stakeholders in an issue and highlight the broader implications, making the commentary more insightful.

What role do 'why' questions play in developing commentary?

'Why' questions help explore the deeper meaning and significance of an issue, encouraging the writer to think critically about why the issue matters and what its broader consequences might be.

How can personal experience be used effectively in an essay?

Personal experience can be used effectively when it is relevant to the issue being discussed and strengthens the argument. For instance, a student's experience with a topic like local food consumption can add credibility and provide a unique perspective, as long as it is meaningful and contributes to the discussion.

What is the importance of considering different perspectives on an issue?

Considering different perspectives helps writers to craft a balanced argument. It can also assist in setting up a concession and refutation or counterclaim, which strengthens the overall argument by acknowledging and addressing opposing views.

How can outside knowledge be incorporated into a synthesis essay?

Outside knowledge can be incorporated into a synthesis essay by using relevant background information or personal experiences to enhance the argument. If the writer has learned about a topic in another context, such as a class or personal experience, that knowledge can help provide additional insight and depth.

What is the best way to incorporate a student's personal experience into their commentary?

The best way to incorporate personal experience is to relate it directly to the issue being discussed in the essay. For example, using a student's experience with time constraints and food access to argue for the need for locally grown food in supermarkets can provide a compelling, real-world example that strengthens the essay's argument.