Pérez, Eva & Prieto, José Igor 2006: Commenting on Texts. Literature, History, the Media. Palma: Servei de Publicacions de l‚Universitat de les Illes Balears.
ISBN: 84-7632-947-4, 321 pp.
This volume attempts to provide a tool for general readers, and specifically, students of English Studies, in their approach to the task of commenting on texts of various types. Special attention is given to literary texts, but the authors‚ scope covers also journalistic, political and historical texts. The book comprises the following sections:
I. Preamble
Information for readers on the book‚s contents and how to profit from reading the volume.
II. The textual analysis: On the nature of texts
An analysis of the elements of any text (sender, recipient, message, etc.) and their literary equivalents (narrator, reader, genres, etc.) The strength of this volume lies in its attempt to establish the basically common nature of all texts, whatever type they may be, and only adding, in the sections entitled "The literary arena", those aspects which are specific to literary texts, such as characterisation techniques, style, etc.
III. Interpreting a text and writing your commentary
Advice to students on how to read towards, and how to write, a commentary, or how to cite and provide a list of references.
IV. Sample commentaries
A selection of sample commentaries including those of a journalistic text, two short stories, a tourist promotional text, poetry, a history text, a fragment of a novel, and a political speech.
V. Glossary
VI. References