Oral Commentary English A2
Don’t
forget to state the Obvious!!!
In the oral commentary you are expected to show
critical thinking when you discuss a passage. You have to show that
you understand the subject matter and your ideas have to be relevant
and focused. When presented with an extract from a text, talk about the extract
and not about the whole text. Your presentation should be organised and
coherent. It should not be a series of unconnected points. It is important
that you use examples to prove your arguments. Your language should be
accurate, fluent and varied. Your choice of register and style should be
appropriate for the task (don’t use slang in a formal situation). Your language
should be formal or semi-formal. You’ll be talking for approximately 10
minutes, after which you’ll have to answer questions for another 5 minutes.
Your teacher will be taking notes, this doesn’t mean you’re making mistakes,
they give the teacher information to base questions on. Don’t go back and forth
through the text. Start at the beginning and end with the final line. Explain
what you are going to do! I’m going to analyse this passage line by line, I’m
going to analyse this extract with regard to…… First I’ll talk about the place
in the story, the I’ll explain the literary devices used, … Don’t forget to
start with name and student number!
In the oral commentary you can discuss the following
points.
Stylistic features
Discuss words and phrases that seem important, create
an image, indicate symbols or foreshadow events. Talk about the characters, the
theme, tone, the author’s style and use of time.
Content (plot)
Start by stating the name of the story and the writer.
Indicate the place of the extract in the story. Talk about what happens, when
and why. What conflict is presented? Do not summarise, this will negatively
influence your mark!
Identify and discuss:
· Key words
· Lines
· Images (is any particular feeling
created?)
· Symbols
· Choice of words
· Repetitions
· Sounds
· Structure
Narrative voice
Who is the speaker? What effect does the narrative
voice create? (understanding, closeness, insight in the problems of the
narrator, etc)
Atmosphere, mood
What is the mood? What atmosphere does the writer
create? Could be mysterious, romantic, witty, etc.
Are there any contrasts and what is the effect of
these?
Does the writer use irony, humour?
Discuss the author’s strengths and weaknesses.
Discuss underlying or universal values.
It is important that you don’t just identify different
literary effects, you should discuss how they are achieved and
the effect of these.
When you start your commentary you should have an idea
about what you are going to say. Find and organise your arguments and build
your commentary around these. To be clear and coherent, you have to be
organised. Structure your oral, organisation is an import factor in your final
mark. Your presentation should be structured and your ideas and arguments
should be in some kind of order. You have to discuss how the
author creates effects through his/her use of language. Don’t talk too fast!!!
