The author of a commentary is likely to have extensive understanding of the subject and is ready to give a fresh and/or distinctive perspective on current issues, basic principles, or widely held beliefs, or to explore the ramifications of a recently adopted innovation. A good commentator is able to convey his or her ideas clearly and effectively. Avoid summarizing the work of others; always provide new or different perspectives. In general, a good commentary will: Be well written (clearly expressed with proper grammar and punctuation) Make accurate comments about the topic at hand Offer useful insights about the subject Encourage further discussion or debate on topics raised in the commentary Be unbiased and fair minded in its judgments Commentaries are often used by scholars as a tool for exploring topics within their field of expertise. Thus, a good commentary should strive to capture the interest of readers by offering an original perspective on issues related to its subject matter. At the same time, a good commentary should not be overly scholarly and should avoid complex language or academic jargon when writing for a general audience. Some examples of good commentators include Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Charles Darwin. Authors of bad commentary include Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Pol Pot.