Creating your COMMENTARY (STEP BY STEP)

Step One: CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC

  • Write your topic here: ______

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Two: RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC

  1. Once you have chosen your topic, read through the class materials (S.S. Coach workbook, S.S. blue textbook). You may want to find additional information online or books from the library that include images on the Internet.
  2. Take notes on a separate piece of paper. You can use the 5 W’s and 1 H questioning format (Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How) or Cornell Note-taking Method. Remember, you will need enough information to write an informative 1 ½ - 2 page typed commentary.

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Three: CRAFT THE MAIN POINTS OF YOUR COMMENTARY

  • Complete the worksheet titled “Writing Your Commentary.”

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Four: Draft Your Actual Commentary

  • From your notes and your “Writing Your Commentary” worksheet, draft and type your commentary.
  • Your commentary should be in a standard font or size (that you can easily read -like Times New Roman 12 font) and should be double spaced 1 ½ - 2 pages long.
  • Your commentary should include a hook, thesis, evidence, analysis, and a strong conclusion.

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Five: Peer/teacher Review of first Draft

  • Have two different peers and a teacher read your draft and give you feedback. Feedback should be written directly on the draft(s). Make sure your readers sign their names in the spaces provided.

Peer Reviewer #1: ______Peer Reviewer #2: ______

Parent/Adult Reviewer #3 ______Teacher Reviewer #4: ______

Step Six: Final Draft

  • Make changes to your commentary based on the feedback given to you by your reviewers.
  • Edit and spell check your work.
  • Print out two clean copies of your final commentary in large print that you can easily read from.
  • Email one copy of your final commentary to your teacher
  • Period 4- Upload your final commentary in your Learner Profile.

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Seven: Practice Reading Your Commentary Aloud

  • Have three different peers listen to you read your commentary and give feedback to you. Make sure they sign their name in the spaces provided.

Peer Reviewer #1: ______

What was done well? / What needs to be improved?

Peer Reviewer #2: ______

What was done well? / What needs to be improved?

Parent/Adult Reviewer #3: ______

What was done well? / What needs to be improved?

Step Eight: Practice presentations / Record Your Audio/video Commentary (Optional) 3-5 Minutes Time limit

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Nine: Practice presentations /Edit Your audio/video Commentary (Optional)

SIGN OFF: ______

Step Ten: Email YOUR AUDIO/video Commentary to your teacher (per. 4 – upload in learner PROFILE)

SIGN OFF: ______Date: ______