Commentary

Commentary is a form of communication that accompanies primary content with explanations, interpretation, or evaluation. It aims to help an audience understand, reflect on, or form judgments about the subject at hand. Unlike a plain report or narrative, commentary adds perspective, context, or critical insight, and may express the commentator's viewpoint. In journalism, commentators provide analysis and opinion alongside factual reporting, often in opinion pieces, editorials, or on-air segments. In literature and the arts, commentary can take the form of annotations, prefaces, scholarly essays, or reviews that illuminate themes, historical context, or technical aspects of the work.

Commentary appears in many domains: print and broadcast media; academic publishing; law and public policy (annotations and marginalia on statutes and cases); and software development (code comments that explain or clarify program logic).

Typical features include an introduction of the topic, a thesis or interpretive claim, supporting reasoning or evidence, consideration of alternative views, and a concluding summary. Good commentary distinguishes between fact and opinion, cites sources, and aims to aid understanding rather than merely persuade.

Historically, commentary has accompanied primary texts since ancient philosophy and rhetoric, evolving with media technologies and scholarly practices. In modern use, it serves to guide readers through complex material, reflect on its significance, or advocate a particular interpretation.