Commentaries/Opinion Pieces

Free-form Content

Writing a Commentary

A commentary on a journal article is a short piece of writing that provides commentary or analysis on a recently published article. Commentaries  are often written by experts in the field of the article. As such, you should consider that you are likely going to need someone who is an expert in the field as a coauthor.

Commentaries can be used to:

  • Provide additional context or background information on the article
  • Discuss the implications of the article's findings
  • Offer criticisms or suggestions for improvement
  • Provide a different perspective on the article's findings

Commentaries can be a valuable way to add depth and nuance to the discussion of a research article. They can also help to promote critical thinking and debate about the findings of research. 

Commentaries are not held in the same esteem as other journal articles.  There are a few reasons why commentaries are not held in the same esteem as other journal articles.

  • Commentaries are shorter and less rigorous. Commentaries are typically much shorter than research articles, and they do not typically involve the same level of original research. This can make them seem less valuable on your CV to some people.
  • Commentaries are more subjective. Commentaries often involve the author's own interpretation of the research article, and they may be more likely to express personal opinions or beliefs. This can make them seem less objective than research articles.
  • Commentaries are less likely to be peer-reviewed. Commentaries are often not peer-reviewed in the same way that research articles are. This means that they may not have been subjected to the same level of scrutiny, and they may contain errors or biases.
 

Tips for writing a commentary

Here are some tips for writing a commentary on a journal article:

  • Read the article carefully and make sure you understand the main points.
  • Identify the key issues or questions raised by the article.
  • Do your own research to gather additional information and perspectives on the article's topic.
  • Write in a clear and concise style.
  • Be respectful of the authors of the article, even if you disagree with their findings.

If you are interested in writing a commentary on a journal article, you should contact the journal editor to inquire about their submission guidelines.

 

Guidelines for Writing a Commentary

Here are commentary guidelines:

  • Read the journal's submission guidelines carefully. Each journal has its own specific requirements for length, format, and style. Make sure that you understand the guidelines before you submit your commentary.
  • Use the journal's preferred citation style. Most journals have a preferred citation style, such as APA or MLA. Make sure that you use the correct style when citing sources in your commentary.
  • Submit your commentary on time. Most journals have a deadline for submissions. Make sure you submit your commentary in a timely manner (a really old article isn't relevant for writing a commentary on).

Here are some additional tips for writing a strong commentary:

  • Be clear and concise. Your commentary should be easy to read and understand. Avoid using jargon or technical language that your audience may not be familiar with.
  • Be objective. Your commentary should be objective and unbiased. Avoid making personal attacks on the authors of the article or their work.
  • Be constructive. Your commentary should be constructive and offer something new to the conversation. Avoid simply repeating what the authors of the article have already said.

Handouts

Examples