Commentary and Reasoning for the Synthesis Essay

Commentary and reasoning are the bridges that connect your evidence to your argument. While evidence provides the facts, commentary explains why those facts matter. This guide will help you transform source information into compelling analysis that drives your argument forward.

Note: You can find the example prompt and sources used in this guide here.

The EXPLAINS Method for Commentary Development

E - Evidence Introduction

• Contextualize your evidence
• Show why this evidence is relevant
• Connect to previous points

X - Explicit Analysis

• Break down key components
• Highlight significant details
• Explain patterns or trends

P - Pattern Recognition

• Connect to broader themes
• Show relationships between sources
• Identify recurring elements

L - Logical Connections

• Demonstrate cause and effect
• Build clear reasoning chains
• Show how ideas relate

A - Advanced Implications

• Consider broader significance
• Explore deeper meanings
• Connect to larger context

I - Integration with Thesis

• Link back to main argument
• Show how this supports your position
• Maintain focus on central claim

N - Next Steps

• Transition to next point
• Set up following evidence
• Maintain argument flow

S - Sophistication

• Address complexities
• Consider multiple perspectives
• Show nuanced understanding

Building Strong Commentary

The "So What?" Chain

Start with evidence and keep asking "So what?" until you reach significant analysis:

• Initial Evidence: "Nielsen ratings show debate viewership declined from 59.5% to 31.6%"
  • So what? "This shows decreased public engagement with presidential debates"
  • So what? "This decline suggests traditional debate formats are failing to engage modern viewers"
  • So what? "This supports Koppel's argument that entertainment has overtaken substance"
• Final Commentary: "The dramatic decline in debate viewership from 59.5% in 1960 to 31.6% in 1996 reflects a fundamental shift in public engagement with political discourse, supporting Koppel's assertion that television's emphasis on entertainment has undermined meaningful political dialogue."

The Evidence-Commentary Ratio

For each piece of evidence, aim for:

• 1-2 sentences of evidence
• 2-3 sentences of commentary
• Additional 1-2 sentences linking to other sources

Advanced Commentary Techniques

Multi-Source Integration

Example Structure:

1. Primary Evidence (Source A)
2. Supporting Evidence (Source B)
3. Qualifying Evidence (Source C)
4. Synthesizing Commentary
5. Connection to Thesis

Example:

Commentary Patterns

Cause and Effect

• Identify direct relationships
• Explain indirect impacts
• Show long-term consequences

Example:

Compare and Contrast

• Show similarities and differences
• Explain significance of patterns
• Draw meaningful conclusions

Development Over Time

• Track changes chronologically
• Explain significant shifts
• Connect historical patterns to present

Common Commentary Pitfalls and Solutions

Surface-Level Analysis

👎 Weak Example:

"The Nielsen ratings show declining viewership. This means fewer people watch debates."

👍 Strong Example:

"The steady decline in debate viewership from 59.5% to 31.6% represents more than just falling numbers—it reflects a fundamental shift in how Americans engage with presidential politics. This trend, when viewed alongside Koppel's critique of modern debate formats, suggests that television's evolution has potentially undermined its original promise as a tool for democratic engagement."

Missing Connections

👎 Weak Example:

"Source A talks about TV history. Source B shows ratings. Source C discusses modern debates."

👍 Strong Example:

"The historical trajectory of television in presidential politics reveals a paradox: as Campbell's research shows, television promised to bring politics directly to voters, yet Nielsen's data demonstrates declining engagement over time. Koppel's analysis helps explain this contradiction by highlighting how entertainment values have gradually overshadowed substantive political discourse."

Commentary Quality Checklist

Before moving on, ensure your commentary:

• Explains significance beyond surface level
• Connects explicitly to thesis
• Shows relationships between sources
• Addresses complexities
• Maintains clear reasoning
• Avoids unsupported claims
• Demonstrates sophisticated thinking

What's Next

Our next study guide will explore sophistication - demonstrating complex understanding, nuanced analysis, and broader implications in your synthesis essay. We'll examine how to move beyond basic commentary to show deeper insights about television's impact on presidential politics, including techniques for qualifying claims and connecting your argument to larger contexts.