Metacommentary: Adding further explanation to your paragraphs

Use the concepts and templates below to enhance the explanation of your ideas in your essay.

When we are speaking with someone, especially when we are debating a controversial issue, we often stop and clarify our meaning.  If the other person has misinterpreted our meaning, or isn’t understanding our idea, we clarify, by saying things like, “What I mean is...” or “my point is not _______, it’s _______.”  We also anticipate the reaction of whoever we are talking to by saying things like, “I know you might disagree, but....”  

This kind of discussion is called metacommentary.  It’s further explanation and commentary on what’s being said.  We use metacommentary instinctually in conversation because we can see when someone is confused, or when they have misinterpreted what we’ve said by what they say or by their facial expressions.  However, in writing, the reader can’t respond to us and ask questions, so we need to anticipate places that might confuse them or where they might disagree by adding in metacommentary as we write.  

In addition, I am always encouraging students to explain their evidence further, or to “develop” their ideas further, and metacommentary is one way to do so.  You might think of it as explaining in a different way, or from another perspective.  The goal is always to anticipate where your point may be unclear and to explain further to help your reader understand.  

Below are some templates for inserting metacommentary into your paragraphs.  All of these help you elaborate on a previous point, saying to the reader: “In case you didn’t get it the first time, I’ll try saying the same thing in a different way.”

• In other words _______.
• What X really means is _______. 
• My point is that _______.
• My point is _______, not _______.
• To put it another way, _______.
• What X is saying here is that _______.

You can also use metacommentary to sum up your point at the end of a paragraph:

• In sum, then, _______.
• My conclusion, then, is that _______.
• In short, _______.

Generally, I think you should get into the habit of explaining your evidence or your idea twice, and you should use these basic metacommentary templates to help add in more thorough development of your ideas.

This handout is based on They Say, I Say.