Graff and Birkenstein write,
It may help to think about metacommentary as being like the chorus in a Greek play that stands to the side of the drama and explains its meaning to the audience -- or like a voice-over narrator who comments on and explains the action in a television show or movie. (130)
Use metacommentary to clarify.
Use metacommentary to elaborate.
We often use metacommentary in our regular everyday conversations. What I mean to say is . . . I don’t mean this ___________, I mean this __________.
One of the guidelines for your paper is to include at least 2 instances in which you use metacommentary to either clarify or to elaborate. This skill will work your ability to consider your audience and their perspectives. What may be misconstrued? What parts of my argument may be clear to me, but may not be to others who have not done this research?
In this DJP, I am asking you to practice.
Identify 2 places or 2 parts of your argument, as you envision it now, that you think may be difficult to explain. OR identify 2 places in your argument that might need a bit of clarification.
Write a bit about these. Why do you think them to be difficult?
Write at least 2 sentences in the style that Graff and Birkenstein offer you in Chapter 10 of They Say, I Say. Please use YOUR research and YOUR topic to write these practice sentences. Writing disassociated sentences will not help your essay building.
This DJP is due by midnight Monday, November 9.