Effective Commenting on the Text (88

attracted visitors to explore and admire the fascinating beauty of the region.

Conclusion.

Even those who are not very interested in poetry, will definitely like to see as many charming views as possible and in this way or another will take away with them memories of their lake holiday.

5.A home in the Lake District.

Introduction.

It’s clear, that the more you stay here, the more you like the idea of making a home here. Isn’t it natural for a person to live in such a beautiful place?

Expansion.

Making a home of your own on the shore of, let’s say, Lake Windermere or Ullswater is a wonderful dream, isn’t it? Unfortunately this prospective can’t be accepted by many people as the text warns. The fact is that the land here is rather expensive. But those who can afford it and call it their “second home” fully enjoy the splendour of the natural beauty of the Lake District, and its pure air and water in addition.

Conclusion.

In conclusion it remains to say that the English may certainly be proud of themselves as they have successfully preserved this god blessed place which still welcomes visitors.

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It may be recommended to write out and group all the underlined lexical, stylistic and syntactical units used in the above commentary in order to have a desirable variety of them in your further commenting practice.

Below there is another sample commentary.

TEXT

The problems of transplant

Surgeons say sometimes that they work in “front line” medicine. They see death looking at them from hospital beds every day.

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Step III. Comment on each point, follow the structure of commentary and use the bank of connectives, speech and sentence starters and other emphatic units and fulfill the Requirements (p. 8).

COMMENTARY

1.The specific character of a surgeon’s job.

Introduction.

Few will deny that doctors of general and practical medicine work a lot to relieve people of pain and make them fit for life. It’s hardly possible to overestimate the role of, let’s say, a family practitioner who diagnoses your illness and prescribes some medicine for you and as the case may be refers you to a specialist doctor.

Expansion.

But when it comes to surgeons, it’s absolutely true to say that they work in so-called “front line” as they see death looking at them from hospital beds every day, and so every day it’s a challenge to their skill, patience, courage and character. What is also important is that the surgeon should be physically strong and never feel sick and giddy at the sight of blood. No doubt surgeons are far more responsible for a patient’s life than, for example, a physician or a dentist. The fact is that surgeons have little time for decision and their reaction should be quick and hopefully correct. Indeed what makes a surgeon so absolutely responsible for a patient’s life is that the latter fully depends on his hands.

Conclusion.

And eventually, it makes no difference whether a patient is operated on for appendicitis or on the knee or any other part of the body — the surgeon’s responsibility is really great. And just imagine his sense of responsibility when he is performing a transplant operation!

2.The requirement of a kidney transplant.

Introduction.

Speaking about transplants, it’s quite necessary to underline their peculiar character. As a matter of fact, they are comparatively new. The first transplants were performed in the second half of the 20th century and one should admit that transplant surgery has definitely made progress. Indeed, such complex and challenging operations as, for example, heart or marrow transplants have become possible nowadays.

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Expansion.

What makes transplant surgery a very special area is that, as it is mentioned in the text, moral and ethic aspects are also involved here. The point is that with kidney transplants, particularly, British surgeons mustn’t use paid-for kidneys, in other words, they should come through charity only. What also matters is that a kidney should belong to a patient’s relative. It is actually the main requirement according to which a related donor organ can only be accepted.

Conclusion.

Though it must be admitted that sometimes surgeons run risk and use a paid-for unrelated organ for their patient and in this way they undoubtedly break the law. But on the other hand surgeons try to save their patient who may die without the urgent transplant. It will be natural to say that some people find the requirement too strict if not quite inhuman.

3.The consequences of a transplant with a paid-for kidney.

Introduction.

The bitter irony is that even if the patient happily survived and what is more he got well and fit and is living a full and happy life, the surgeon will still have trouble.

Expansion.

The point is that the surgeon involved in the sale of kidneys is officially considered guilty of serious ethical misconduct. And as a result he is banned from taking part in transplant operations. There are different forms of punishment, but whatever the form, the British General Medical Council undoubtedly considers such surgeons guilty of, what they say, bringing disgrace and dishonour upon the profession. There is some point in such strictness and directness. Indeed, there are doctors who are involved in inappropriate trade in human organs for their personal benefit. But on the other hand, if the paid-for kidney is, let’s say, your child’s last chance to survive. It’s clear, in this case one can hardly blame the surgeon.

Conclusion.

Surely, it will be inhuman to blame the surgeon who has used a paid-for kidney and actually saved your child. This dilemma doesn’t seem simple at all.

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4.The role of the press and public opinion on the transplants.

Introduction.

It appears quite natural that the press actively reacts to all important events in society. And whenever scandalous transplants take place, the press puts great pressures on the surgeons involved in human organs trade.

Expansion.

After all no one is allowed to break the law. It’s quite clear that the more people learn and discuss this topical issue the sooner the situation can improve. To do justice to the press, it’s necessary to point out their efforts to reassure the public that the unbreakable approach in selecting donors should only be based on the charity.

Conclusion.

Sadly, the reality is that there is no general consensus among doctors and British society so far. However there is still room for optimism as with more tolerance and honesty in society it will eventually be possible to solve this delicate problem.

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So as it follows, the commenting strategy for any long text of informational style includes a three-stepped algorithm:

Step I. Make an outline of the text as it is suggested by its paragraphing.

Step II. Choose and phrase in each paragraph the most interesting thematic points.

Step III. Comment on each point according to the six-piece structure of commentary, use The Bank of Speech and Sentence Starters and Connectives and the Requirements.

Step I and Step II are aimed at getting a better idea of the text, so as to make its commentary as effective as possible.

We believe that the techniques of text commenting and the practical material of the Supplements will help students to master their speaking skills and expand cross-culture communication experience.

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One day will come and …

Whatever the difficulties / problems / mistakes / disadvantages / drawbacks …

Phrases for connecting words and ideas

As it follows …

Therefore / That’s why / So / For this reason / purpose … As a result …

In fact / Actually / As a matter of fact … As is the case …

As the case may be …

In any case / Anyway / Anyhow … In this way or another …

In case …

In plain / other words …

In a sense/ way … / In some way … In many ways …

To a great extent … Next …

In the first place … / First of all … First / Second / Third …

More than that / Moreover … Prior to that …

Besides / What is more … Little by little / Gradually … In the course of time …

In due time / Sooner or later … Meanwhile / while …

In principle … In general …

In reference to / In relation to … Like / Unlike …

At the same time … Similar to … Equally …

As well as … Parallel to …

On the contrary …

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