METRO MANILA COLLEGE

U-Site, Brgy. Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

MODULE #6: Textual and Contextual Reading

Prepared by: Ms. Jean Carla N. Leonor

 LESSON #6: TEXTUAL AND CONTEXTUAL READING

CONTENT STANDARD:

The learner…
[CS.LIT.2] understand and appreciate literary texts in various genres across national
literature and cultures.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD:

The learner…
[PS.LIT.3] write a critical paper that analyzes literary texts in relation to the context of the
reader and the writer or a critical paper that interprets literary texts using any of the critical
approaches.

OBJECTIVE:

At the end of the module, you should be able to…

[EN12Lit-IIb-32] explain the texts in terms of literary elements, genres, and traditions
 [LESSON 6.1.] TEXTUAL AND CONTEXTUAL READING

After knowing regional literature, one must also

know the differences between textual and
contextual reading. It will take you a lot of time
to learn but making yourself familiar with textual
and contextual might help you in appreciating and
understanding literature. Both textual and
contextual reading is mainly used in having depth
rhetorical analysis of several works

Textual Reading
Textual reading looks at the text for what it is and the literary strategies it features. It
heavily emphasizes the analysis of writing style, the use of words, and the way the speaker
delivers the message. It aims to achieve a better understanding of the argument that the
writer wants to convey to the reader through the piece.

Contextual Reading
Contextual reading concerns itself with [1] the circumstances that form the setting of events,
statements, or ideas and [2] the way that those can be fully understood and assessed.
Reading a literary piece in this way allows the reader to appreciate and explore the text more
and see influences that they writer had that contributed to the creation of the text.

Perspectives in Contextual Reading

Writer’s Context
This is concerned with how the text is influenced by the writer’s life, values, gender, race,
sexual orientation, and the political issues that the author had in mind during the time of the
piece’s conception. Please note that some literary pieces that are published or written in order
to reflect the writer’s personality.

Reader’s Context
This is concerned with what the reader’s reading experience, values, and assumptions are. It
is important to note that the readers experience the text by reading its context and relates it
to their knowledge and experiences. This helps them form opinions about the text.
Text’s Context
This is concerned with the publishing history of the text and how the text is presented –
questions may include:
- Is the text part of a larger publication such as a newspaper or book?
- Is the text a notable event and/or of historical relevance?
- Is the text written in its original language or is it translated?

Social Context and Socio-Cultural

This is concerned with the society the characters live in. Please note that this may be
reflection of where the literary piece originated from, what kind of society the author was
borne to during his/her/their time, and the time and the kind of environment he/she/lived in.

[ACTIVITY 6.1] LET US ANSWER!

DIRECTIONS: Read the text below and answer the following questions. Write your answer
on the space provided (3 pts. each).

Caged Bird
A free bird leaps By Maya Angelou
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream free bird thinks of another breeze
till the current ends and the trade winds soft through the sighing
and dips his wing trees
in the orange sun rays and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright
and dares to claim the sky. lawn
and he names the sky his own

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Questions:
1. What does the piece say about the caged bird? Explain your answer.
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2. Who is the speaker and the subject of “Caged Bird”? Why do you say so?
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3. What is meant by the phrase “bars of range” in the second stanza of the poem? Why do
you say so?
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4. Why does the caged bird stand on the “grave of dreams”? Explain your answer.
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5. What is the author’s message to the reader of the poem? Explain your answer.
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[ACTIVITY 6.2] LET’S READ!

DIRECTIONS: Read the selection “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Stetson (copy
will be given by the teacher) and answer the following questions. (5 points each)

1. What is the relationship between the narrator and John Faint in the selection?
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2. What does the woman in the wallpaper represent? Why does the narrator identify with
her in the story?
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3. What are the symbolisms present in the story?

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4. What is the main theme of the story?

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5. In the story, is the narrator is reliable or unreliable? Can you believe everything she
says? Why or why not?
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[ACTIVITY 6.3] DIFFERENTIATE ME!

DIRECTIONS: Using the diagram below differentiate textual and contextual reading (10
points)

Textual Reading Contextual Reading

[ACTIVITY 6.4] LET’S TRY!
DIRECTIONS: Write the letter of your answer on the space provided before the number. Use
CAPITAL letters only.

_______1. What type of contextual reading that talks about the writer’s life, political and
economic issues related to the author?
a. Reader’s Context c. Textual Reading
b. Authors Context d. Text Context

_______2. What kind of reading that gives deeper understanding to the text?
a. Textual Reading c. Authors Context
b. Text Context d. Contextual Reading

_______3. What type of contextual reading features society where the character live and in
which the author’s text produced?
a. Author’s Context c. Social Context
b. Textual Context d. Reader’s Context

_______4. What type of contextual reading that the matters on what the reader’s know for
reading the context itself what his or her stand about the selection?
a. Social Context c. Author’s Context
b. Reader’s Context d. Textual Context

_______5. What type of contextual reading that focuses about the publishing history of the
text?
a. Textual Context c. Reader’s Context
b. Author’s Context d. Social Context
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Content References:

Main Reference (Books):

Ang, J.G. (2016) Literatura: 21st Century Philippines and World Literatures for Senior High
School. Mindshapers Co., Inc.

Supporting References (Books):

Redoblado, S.V.D., Anastacio, T.M., Noval, J.C., Coralejo, E.F. (2017). Contemporary Literature:
21st Century from the Philippines and the World. Brilliant Creations Publishimg, Inc.

Mata, E.L.I., Gabelo, N.C., Ambon, F.M., Babasa, E.E., (2016). 21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World for Senior High School. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

OFlathery, W. (2017, July 8). Essential C.S Lewis.

https://essentialcslewis.com/2017/07/08/ccslq-37-literature-
adds/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CLiterature%20adds%20to%20reality%2C%20it,our%20lives%20
have%20already%20become.%E2%80%9D

Supporting References (Internet):

Victoria Phelps (2015).Textual and Contextual Analysis. Retrieved from

https://sites.psu.edu/vprclblog/2015/09/10/the-difference-between-textual-and-contextual-
analysis/#:~:text=Textual%20analysis%20focuses%20on%20the,syntax%2C%20punctuation
%2C%20and%20style67213746 last March 9, 2021

Poetry out Loud. Cage Bird. Retrieved from https://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/caged-bird/

last March 11, 2021

Book Cover:
Pch.vector (2020). Focused tiny people reading books [Digital Image].
https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/focused-tiny-people-reading-books_8609147.htm

Pictures for Lesson 6:

Oliviasim (2020). Stay Home for Holidays [Digital Image].

https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwebdesignmarket.com.au%2Fauthor%2Foli
viasim%2F&psig=AOvVaw0fyGe4hVDiBI2lS51onala&ust=1615555620391000&source=images&cd=vfe&v
ed=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKCFntGrqO8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Nepal24hours (2019). The Experts We Need [Digital Image].

https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnepal24hours.com%2Fthe-experts-we-
need%2F&psig=AOvVaw2Y_3AYIYgjw46RfswDmSgB&ust=1615555831985000&source=images&cd=vfe&
ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCLiw0resqO8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAP