Writing a reflective commentary on your own choices

Welcome to Your Writing "Behind-the-Scenes"!

Have you ever finished a piece of writing and thought, "I chose that word because it sounds more professional," or "I started with a question to grab the reader's attention"? If so, you are already doing what this chapter is all about! Writing a reflective commentary is simply the process of explaining the "why" and "how" behind your creative choices. In Paper 2, Section A, Question 1(b), you get to be the expert on your own work. Let’s dive into how you can master this and pick up those 10 marks.

What is a Reflective Commentary?

In Question 1(a), you are asked to write a short piece (up to 400 words) based on a specific prompt. In Question 1(b), you write a reflective commentary. Your goal here is to explain how your linguistic choices helped you fulfill the "brief" (the instructions) from part (a). This part of the exam focuses on Assessment Objective 3 (AO3): analyzing how your choices of form, structure, and language create meaning and style.

The "Big Three": Form, Structure, and Language

To write a great commentary, you need to look at your writing through three different lenses. Don't worry if these terms sound fancy; they are just ways to organize your thoughts!

1. Form (The Shape of Your Writing)

Form refers to the type of text you were asked to write (e.g., a blog, a letter, a podcast script, or a review). Every form has "conventions"—rules or features that readers expect to see.
Example: If you wrote a blog, did you use a catchy title and a direct address to the reader (using "you")? In your commentary, you should explain that you used these features to match the conventions of a blog.

2. Structure (The Order of Your Ideas)

Structure is about how you organized your text. Think of it as the skeleton of your writing.
Key things to mention:
- Paragraphing: Did you use short paragraphs for impact or long ones for detail?
- Openings and Closings: How did you start and end? Did you use a "circular structure" where the end refers back to the beginning?
- Connectives: Did you use words like "furthermore" or "however" to link your ideas smoothly?

3. Language (The Words and Sentences)

This is where you look at the specific linguistic elements and literary features you used.
- Lexis (Vocabulary): Did you use formal, "high-level" words to sound authoritative, or simple, "emotive" words to create sympathy?
- Figurative Language: Did you use metaphors or similes to make a description more vivid?
- Sentence Structure (Syntax): Did you use a short, snappy sentence to create tension?
- Rhetorical Devices: Did you use a "rule of three" or a rhetorical question to be more persuasive?

Key Takeaway:

Don't just list what you did—explain WHY you did it. Instead of saying "I used a metaphor," say "I used the metaphor [insert metaphor] to suggest that the character felt trapped, which appeals to the reader’s emotions."

Connecting to Audience and Purpose

The examiners want to see that you understand who you are writing for and what you are trying to achieve. Every point in your commentary should link back to the audience and purpose.

The Audience: Who is supposed to read this? (e.g., teenagers, professional employers, travelers).
The Purpose: What is the goal? (e.g., to persuade, to inform, to describe, to entertain).

Analogy: Think of your writing like an outfit. If you are going to a job interview (the purpose), you wear a suit (the choice) because you want to look professional for the employer (the audience). Your commentary is just you explaining: "I chose the suit to project an image of professionalism to the interviewer."

Step-by-Step: How to Write the Commentary

Step 1: Identify your choices. Look back at your 1(a) response and underline 3 or 4 specific things you are proud of (a specific word, a sentence type, a structural choice).

Step 2: Use "Point, Evidence, Analysis" (PEA).
- Point: State the feature you used.
- Evidence: Quote a small part of your own writing.
- Analysis: Explain the effect on the reader and how it fits the purpose.

Step 3: Use technical terminology. Instead of saying "I used a lot of 's' sounds," say "I used sibilance to create a soothing tone."

Important Vocabulary to Use

Using the right "labels" shows the examiner you know your stuff. Try to include these terms where they fit:

- Register: The level of formality (formal vs. informal).
- Tone: The "mood" of the writing (e.g., sarcastic, enthusiastic, somber).
- Persuasive Devices: Techniques used to convince the reader.
- Narrative Perspective: Whether you wrote in the first person ("I") or third person ("he/she").

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Being too brief: Don't just say "I wrote a good story." Be specific!
- Repeating the prompt: The examiner knows what the task was. Focus on your unique response to it.
- Forgetting to quote yourself: You must use short quotes from your 1(a) writing as evidence.
- Only describing: Avoid just saying "First I wrote this, then I wrote that." Always explain the effect of those choices.

Quick Review:

1. The commentary is worth 10 marks and focuses on AO3.
2. You must analyze form, structure, and language.
3. Always link your choices back to audience, purpose, and meaning.
4. Use specific quotes from your own writing and technical linguistic terms.

Pro-Tip: While you are writing Question 1(a), keep a mental note of the "cool" things you are doing. It will make writing the commentary in 1(b) much faster and easier!