Final answer:
Meta commentary in academic writing is a technique used by writers to reflect upon, explain, and analyze their writing process and rhetorical choices to the reader. It serves as a tool for self-evaluation and includes meaningful analysis, examples, and honest criticism. Application of meta commentary varies by discipline, where different criteria are used to judge writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Meta Commentary in Academic Writing?
In academic writing, meta commentary refers to a writer’s use of discourse that comments on the writing itself. It is a way for the writer to analyze and explain the purpose and structure of their writing to the reader. For example, when a writer reflects on their own writing process or choices within the text, or when they acknowledge their own biases, they are providing meta commentary. Similarly, drawing attention to the structure or rhetorical strategies used in the writing also constitutes meta commentary.
This technique enables writers to guide their readers through their line of thinking, highlight the importance of certain points, or make readers aware of the context and constraints under which they are writing. Meta commentary can take the form of meaningful analysis, examples, explanations, observations, speculation, and honest criticism. It often leads to a thoughtful and purposeful self-evaluation by the writer, making the writing more engaging and persuasive.
Applying meta commentary effectively requires understanding the expectations of the academic discipline for which one is writing. Different disciplines have different criteria, and what may be suitable for an English class—like a reflective essay—may not meet the formal structures of an anthropology class, for example.
Furthermore, viewing a piece of academic writing as a contribution to an ongoing scholarly conversation, as noted by Kenneth Burke, can also be seen as a type of meta commentary. By considering one’s work as part of a larger dialogue, a writer situates their voice among the opinions and findings of other academics. This self-awareness is at the core of meta commentary in academic writing.