Stop Summarizing
START COMMENTATING
START COMMENTATING
One basic way to elevate the quality of your next essay is to stop summarizing and start commentating.
While both writing styles can be used to discuss another piece of work (like a play, book, movie, or poem), this is about the sum total of their similarities.
Here are the three main differences between summary and commentary:
Summary is a brief account giving the main points of something.
Commentary is a series of explanations and interpretations.
Summary is surface.
Commentary is deep.
Summary is regurgitation.
Commentary is original.
There is only one way to provide a summary: You read or view a work, and then write down a recap of what the work is all about.
However, there are many ways to provide commentary, including:
Here are some real life examples of summary and commentary:
A summary is something you’d read in a movie description or on the back of a book, like this summary of The Godfather: Part II
Commentary is what you’d read in a film or book review, like this one from "Rotten Tomatoes:"
So, now that you (hopefully) understand the difference between summary and commentary, let’s work on an example.
Let's take a look at a scene from HBO's (2008) series John Adams, which I selected because of our reading of their letters a couple of weeks ago. I'll provide both a summary and commentary on the scene.
In this scene from the 2008 HBO John Adams, slaves are working hard to build the White House. John and Abigail Adams arrive home, to the White House, on a rainy and muddy day. A gentleman assists John and Abigail from their carriage, into their home. The couple enters the home as they continue to look around at everyone working.
While this may be a decent (ish?) summary of the scene, it doesn’t offer any additional insight into the film. My summary regurgitates what happened. There’s really no point in reading this summary; instead, you could just watch the scene and learn everything I just discussed, and you’ll have much more fun doing it. In fact, as much as you disliked reading the letters, you'd probably have more fun reading the letters than reading my summary.
When you are asked to provide a summary, pretend your instructor is saying to provide a thoughtful commentary. You can be sure that he or she does not want you to just give a detailed recap. This doesn't show any effort. In fact, writing that summary took me under a minute, with little thought.
The one thing a summary can provide is background. Give your reader some context on the piece of work, while also providing insight...
First, I’m going to insert an opinion into my summary.
In this reflective and historically-accurate scene from the 2008 HBO series John Adams, John Adams (played by Paul Giamatti) and his wife Abigail Adams (played by Laura Linney) arrive home, to the White House, as the slaves construct the presidential mansion.
Next, I’ll insert an interpretation.
In this moment, President Adams observes -- as if for the first time -- what is going on around him. The slaves were important and instrumental in the building of the new nation's economy; John and Abigail indicate they are no longer happy with just going through the motions without noticing the world in which they live, especially where situations may be ethically problematic.
Next, I’ll insert some insight.
The capital is the few places where slaves were used but not abused and their close ties ultimately paved way for the abolition of slavery. John's and Abigail's exit from the carriage serves as a symbolic exit from the complacent acceptance and disregard toward centuries of slavery and discrimination.
There are a couple more important rules that will help you write a good essay.
Even when giving commentary in the form of an opinion, avoid using subjective phrases like “I hope,” “I believe,” and “I think.” These phrases are redundant (you wrote the essay, so it’s obvious you think, believe, or hope what is written) and they reduce your credibility.
In general, you should provide approximately two points of commentary for every specific detail you offer. While summary is still important for giving your reader context, commentary is critical to writing a good essay.
Sometimes your instructor will want you to only offer opinion; other times, insight or interpretation; other times, freedom as to what type of commentary you include in your essay. The important thing to remember is to follow the rules for the assignment.
If you need more help learning about how to write a better essay, I recommend the cool slideshow about commentary [below].
And of course, don’t forget the final step for writing a good essay: editing! Have your essay edited by a peer or a parent; you may also take your essay to the Achievement Center for some assistance. Ms. Nissen is available in the AC Tues-Friday; I am available during WIN times.