Political commentary is the analysis, critique, and discussion of political events, ideologies, and leaders. Its goal is to influence perception and encourage action by shedding light on societal injustices and power dynamics. It can take many forms, including essays and articles, speeches, books, films, art, and poetry. It often involves satire, using humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or mock politics and social norms. It can also involve advocacy, encouraging a particular position or policy on a given issue.
Like news and opinion pieces, political commentary can be found in the media, such as in newspapers, magazines, television shows, podcasts, or social media posts. Unlike journalism, it typically includes personal opinions and perspectives rather than objective news reporting. It can also incorporate a variety of rhetorical techniques to emphasize an argument, such as logos, examples, and eyewitness accounts.
Throughout history, various types of political commentary have been employed to inform and provoke thought, from poetry reflecting war and societal injustices to Roman historians highlighting the moral decline of their society. Contemporary forms of political commentary include apocalyptic narratives exploring societal fears about governance, dystopian fiction examining the effects of control, and rap music addressing social inequality.
Writing a political commentary requires researching and gathering evidence for an argument. Sources can be gathered from interviews, research libraries, and online resources, such as databases of news articles and websites that provide statistical information about political events and trends. When evaluating sources, it is important to check for bias and credibility.