“Literature is the painting of the human soul,” as Nguyen Du once said. But how do we paint that picture with sharp, persuasive words? This article from HỌC LÀM will guide you on how to write literary commentary essays, helping you conquer this “challenging” genre.
Analyzing and Approaching Literary Opinions
Before starting your commentary, the first step is to understand the given opinion thoroughly. Many students often “skim read” and skip this crucial step. Like building a house without a solid foundation, your essay will easily collapse. Analyze the opinion from multiple angles: content, scope of application, validity, and especially the value it brings. For example, if the opinion is about the role of literature in reflecting reality, you need to define what “reality” is here, the extent of reflection, and whether there are any exceptions.
Next, place that opinion in a broader literary context. Connect it with specific works, authors, and literary movements. This not only provides you with more arguments but also demonstrates your deep literary knowledge. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a renowned Literature teacher at Chu Van An High School in Hanoi, emphasized in her book “Secrets to Conquering Literature”: “Literary understanding is the key to unlocking success in opinion commentary essays.”
Building Arguments and Evidence
After analyzing the opinion, you need to construct arguments to defend your viewpoint. Arguments must be clear, coherent, and consistent with the initial opinion. Each argument needs to be supported by persuasive evidence. Evidence can come from literary works, opinions of critics, or your own experiences and observations about life.
For example, if you are commenting on the opinion “Literature is the voice of conscience,” you can propose the argument: “Literature condemns evil, protects good, and awakens human conscience.” To prove this argument, you can cite Nguyen Du’s “The Tale of Kieu,” where Kieu’s tragic fate is a powerful indictment of unjust feudal society. Or you can mention the writer Nam Cao with his humanistic works reflecting the plight of poor farmers.
Applying Flexibility and Creativity
There’s an old saying: “Văn dĩ thiên, tuế dĩ nhiên” – Literature values naturalness, words should be natural. Don’t confine yourself to rigid templates. Apply knowledge flexibly and creatively. Incorporate stories, images, comparisons, metaphors… to make your writing more vivid and engaging.
A story tells of a young man who loved literature very much. He always aspired to write good essays that moved people’s hearts. One day, he sought advice from a high monk on the mountain. The monk simply smiled and said: “Write with your own heart.” That advice helped the young man realize that true literature must come from the soul, from the love of life and humanity.
Conclusion
Writing literary opinion commentary essays is not easy, but it’s not too difficult if you master the method and practice regularly. Remember, learning literature is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about training your thinking and nurturing your soul. If you need further assistance, please contact Phone Number: 0372888889, or visit the address: 335 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team. Please share this article if you find it helpful and leave a comment below to discuss and learn more together! Explore more useful articles on HỌC LÀM to improve your writing skills!
