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The Writer's Process: How to Write a Reflective Commentary for A Level AQA

The notes, exercises and examples will help your students to develop the right tools for analysing their own writer’s process, to approach the reflective commentary with a clear grasp of what's required, an opportunity to gain confidence and to enjoy the process of reflecting on their own work.

It really encourages the student writer to reflect on the process of the craft of writing

R Hill, Teacher & Peer Reviewer
Covers:
  • How to approach the commentary for Units 2 and 4 and different ways into self-critiquing
  • Writing the commentary for prose fiction, poetry, dramatic scripts, radio drama, screenwriting and prose non-fiction
  • How to reference and how to construct the bibliography for Unit 4
  • Example Reflective Commentary

Drafting chart, reading log, quotation log, and commentary checklists all included.

Plus!
  • Useful vocabulary and key terms for specified genres
  • Recommended reading list
  • Additional exercises on narrative and clichés

The author has done every teacher of creative writing a big favour...

...Would save anyone teaching the syllabus a lot of work

R Lodge, HoD & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (5117)

It really nails the demands of units 2 & 4 and avoids the English Language pitfalls. I loved the way it develops the commentary/rationale from a writer's point of view. It really encourages the student writer to reflect on the process of the craft of writing. It matches the spec spot on. The definition of the commentary really nails the fact that what is not needed is an English Lang and Lit type of coursework commentary. I fear many an English teacher will be out of their depth in this A level and this resource will aid them immensely.

R Hill, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Superb content! I was pleased to see pages dedicated to commentary style, and examples given that allow students to craft their writing around the recommended idea, but without losing out to rigidity. I like the charts and logs on, this is a great way to lay out students' progress and get them to consider how their changes have an overall effect. I really like the writing tips and quotations from authors and philosophers - this really gets students identifying with writers and considering their own potential impact. The sections on referencing and bibliographies are great for encouraging good practice. More of this should be included in AS and A2 resources - if we still had coursework at GCSE, I'd be buying this resource just for these pages. A carefully developed, sophisticated guide that would help to level the playing field for students from an analytical point of view.

Penglais English Department

This resource makes teaching commentaries suddenly seem pretty easy. The author has done every teacher of creative writing a big favour. It gives clear and precise advice on how to do a commentary. Lots of examples and particular guidance. Would save anyone teaching the syllabus a lot of work. Excellent matching of the syllabus requirements, clearly written with the new syllabus in mind. Anyone teaching this syllabus should get a copy of this resource. It will save them hours of work!

R Lodge, HoD & Peer Reviewer

This resource would be beneficial to any department offering this course. From the first exercise the students are encouraged to be independent, organised and collect information on a weekly basis. This will teach them valuable skills to use during this course and their degree if they continue with their studies.

K Greaves, Teacher & Peer Reviewer