How to write a Comment

take some notes and structure your thoughts

collect all the material (arguments and examples) you can to support your opinion

think of possible counterarguments

—> refunting them can be a good way to convince the reader

make an outline to structure your material. It is ideal to start with the weakest argument and end with the strongest

clarify your topic/concern

make some introductory remarks (raise a question, refer to a current problem, etc.) —> present the issue and attract the readers attention

briefly summarize the point the author makes

state demonstrate and describe the positive (and negative) effects of a topic/situation by presenting different arguments

present your arguments in one paragraph each (topic sentence)

support your arguments by giving examples (quote famous people or experts, relate your view to other comparable issues, examples from a literary work or a movie)

try to link each paragraph to the following one

conclude your comment by summarizing your main arguments and giving your personal view of the situation/problem

relate your final remarks to your introduction (wrap up the topic)

do not introduce any new ideas or arguments

connectives:

• although, as…as…, as well, because, but, even if, however, in order to, in spite of, not…either, not until, provide that, since, so that, therefore, unless, whereas, while

adverbs of comment:

• actually, after all, apparently, basically, fortunately, frankly, in fact, in my opinion, naturally, unfortunately, obviously, of course, perhaps, possibly, probably, sadly

adverbs of degree:

• very, absolutely, almost, at all, at least, completely, drastically, extremely, hardly, most of all, particularly, quite, rarely, rather, really, utterly, virtually

structuring devices: both…and…, consequently, secondly, furthermore, in the end, it is true that…but…, last but not least, on the one hand…on the other hand…, on top of that