4.1.3 Writing a Strong Commentary Notes

Writing a Strong Commentary

1. A commentary is a short paragraph that explains the TOK significance of an object or example.
2. A strong commentary should:
   1. Briefly describe the object (enough for the examiner to know what it is).
   2. Link the object directly to the chosen prompt.
   3. Analyse what the object reveals about knowledge, its assumptions, limits, or implications.

Why Commentary Matters

1. Depth of analysis: Weak exhibitions sink because they only describe the object instead of unpacking what it means for knowledge.
2. Clarity of argument: Commentary is how you tie your objects together into one coherent interpretation instead of leaving them as random items.
3. TOK reflection: Examiners want to see concepts like evidence, reliability, perspective, interpretation, authority applied in real-world contexts.

What Separates Strong from Weak Commentary

1. Weak commentary: Describes the object or restates the prompt.
   1. “This newspaper shows evidence of climate change. Evidence is important in science.”
2. Strong commentary: Uses the object to make a claim about knowledge.
   1. “This newspaper article presents graphs as evidence for climate change. The reliance on numbers shows how science privileges quantifiable data. But the same graphs are dismissed by some audiences, revealing that evidence is never entirely objective but shaped by cultural and political perspectives.”

Actionable Tips for Writing Commentary

1. Keep object description under two sentences.
2. Always ask: What does this object show about how knowledge is built, tested, or contested?
3. Use TOK concepts explicitly: certainty, perspective, interpretation, authority, reliability.
4. Show a tension: highlight a limitation, contradiction, or unanswered question.
5. Make sure each commentary connects back to your overall interpretation of the prompt.