When ever you are viewing a Discussion, you can click on the "Add Comment " button:
It is displayed at both the top and bottom of the viewed Discussion. When you click on it, you will then be given a text editing window in which you can compose your comment. Most comments will be just a couple simple sentences, but if you like, you have all the power of the text editor's icon bar available to format your text with italics, boldface, and fonts.
Every comment posted to a Discussion is identified by participant and time.