How to Write a Book Commentary

Video Transcript

"Hi I'm Laura from youngwritersworkshop.com and I'm going to talk about how to write a book commentary. A book commentary is your opinion about a book so in writing it it is a lot like a book review but much more of an opinionated focus. So you are really being and giving an editorial about the book. Start with a brief synopsis kind of similar to what would be on the back cover of a book so just a little bit of a summary to begin and provide contacts through your commentary and then go through each component of the book sch as the genre, the characters, the setting any elements of the book that you would like to comment on and give your opinion and in this context you are able to really say exactly what you think and knowing that it is understood that this is your opinion. Also read some other reviews or other critic's takes on the book and that way your commentary will be set in the context of what other people are saying about the book. So you might agree or disagree with other critics in your commentary. Give your point of view in contrast to what someone else has said or in agreement with what someone else has said. So when you are writing a book commentary it is helpful to have an idea of what the previous critical response to the book has been. So those are some ideas about how to write a book commentary."