LESSON 2

What’s New
CONTEXT OF TEXT DEVELOPMENT
“Without context, words and actions have no meaning at all”.
- Gregory Bateson
In literary theory, a text is any object that can be "read", whether this object is a work
of literature, a street sign, an arrangement of buildings on a city block, or styles of clothing.
It is a coherent set of signs that transmits some kind of informative message. This set
of symbols is considered in terms of the informative message's content, rather than in terms
of its physical form or the medium in which it is represented.
Context is the background, environment, setting, framework, or surroundings of events
or occurrences. Whenever writers use a quote or a fact from some source, it becomes
necessary to provide their readers some information about the source, to give context to its
use. It illuminates the meaning and relevance of the text, and may be something cultural,
historical, social, or political. It is all about providing a background or picture of the situation,
and of who is involved. Without context, readers may not see the true picture of a literary
work. Context helps readers understand the cultural, social, philosophical, and political ideas
and movements prevalent in society at the time of the writing.

LESSON CONTENT
In this era of technology readers are very much open to use either the print or the non-
print medium for reading. To some, they are more comfortable to use the former as they can
browse back and forth for clarity and mastery without prejudice to some visual discomforts. A
number of readers however, are more attuned to the latter because undeniably, it offers an
array of information.

In the course of browsing information, there are readers who find pleasure and
satisfaction in the text by connecting it with a similar narrative or issue thus making the
reading material more comprehensible and meaningful. However, some readers with the
intention to further enrich the information at hand, deliberately open the highlighted parts or
links of the text. Both practices cover the intertextuality and the hypertextuality of the
content and the context of the reading material.

What I need to know

In this lesson you are going to discover how the
context of a text is developed. And so you are expected to
identify a context in which a text was developed.
(EN11/12RWS-IVac-7; EN11/12RWS-IVac-7.1; EN11/12RWS-IVac-
7.2)
 What I Know
Before we go to our lesson, first, let me give you some
questions to answer.

Instruction: Read each question carefully and write the letter of your answer on the space
provided before each number

1. The concept of intertextuality refers to the idea that authors can use
literary relationships as way to…
A. communicate C. pass time
B. make money D. read
2. Who was the originator of the theory of intertextuality?
A. Sigmund Freud C. Julia Kristeva
B. Karl Jung D. William Shakespeare
_3. Which of these is NOT a type of intertextual relationship?
A. parody C. Both A and B
B. allusion D. tribute
4. Intertextuality can take place
A. within the same medium or style
B. across cultures
C. none of the above
D. at home
5. Which of the following is a “text”
A. Novels C. None of the above
B. Songs D. Rap
6. Which of the following statements is the best intertextuality definition?
A. The relationship between texts.
B. Allusions from one text to another.
C. The translation of a text into a different language.
D. A ridiculous imitation of a genre
7 Which of the following would not be an example of intertextuality?
A. A translation of one work into a different language.
B. A poetic homage to an earlier writer by adopting that writer’s theme & tone.
C. The main characters of two unrelated works coincidentally both named
Bob.
D. An author ridicules a well-known work by imitating it in a comedic way.
8.Choose the correct parody definition from the following statements:
A. A harsh, biting attack on a more famous author.
B. A work that imitates the style of another work or author, for comedic effect.
C. A critique of government officials or current events in a piece of literature.
D. An indirect or passing reference.
 9.Which of the following statements is not a reason an author might
choose to use parody?
A. To mock or ridicule another author’s style.
B. To pay homage to a more famous author by imitating his or her style.
C. To change an original work so entirely that it’s no longer a clear influence on
the parody.
D. To give honor to a writer by adopting the writer’s theme and tone
10. The term was coined by Ted Nelson around 1965.
A. Intertextuality C. Context
B. Hypertextuality D. Allusion

What is New
INTERTEXTUALITY

Being a critical reader involves understanding that texts are always developed with a certain text
developed with a certain text. Critical reader involves understanding that texts are always developed
with a certain text.
To be a critical reader, the following questions can be asked. Answer these questions
after every reading of a text.

 When was the work written?

 What were the circumstances that produced it?

 What issues deal with it?

What are the synonyms or the other words of

intertextuality?

The synonyms of intertextuality are continuity,

interrelationship, interrelatedness,
interconnectedness, connection, linkage,
cohesion,
coherence.

INTERTEXTUALITY is the way that one text influences another. It is the modelling of a
text’s meaning by another text. It is defined as the connection between language,
images, characters, themes, or subjects depending on their similarities in language,
genre or discourse.
The definition of intertextuality was created by the French semiotician Julia Kristeva
in the 1960s. She created the term from the Latin word intertexto, which means “ to
intermingle while weaving.” Kristeva argued that all works of literature being produced
contemporarily are intertextual with the works that came before it.
This view recognizes that the text is always influenced by previous texts.

A text contains many layers of accumulated, cultural, historical, and social knowledge, which
It means that any text can be considered a work of Intertextuality because it
builds on the structures that existed before it.

The function and effectiveness of intertextuality can often depend quite a bit on the reader’s
prior knowledge and understanding before reading the secondary text; parodies and
allusions depend on the reader knowing what is being parodied or alluded to.

What is Parody?

The term parody (pronounced par–uh-dee) is derived from the Greek phrase parodia
which referred to a type of poem which imitated the style of epic poems but with mockery and
light comedy.

A parody is an imitation of a writer, artist, subject, or genre in such a way as to make fun of
or comment on the original work. It can be used in everyday life as well as by authors,
celebrities, politicians, and cultural commentators. Parody mimics a subject directly, to
produce a comical effect. It is often exaggerated in the way it imitates the original in order to
produce a humorous effect.

Parody as imitation, is sometimes exaggerated for comic effect. Parody is poking fun at
something in hopes the audience will find it amusing. But first, the audience must make the
connection between the parody and the subject/topic being parodied.
A parody is just meant for entertainment.

What is the importance of using Parody?

Parody is important because it allows us to criticize and question without being aggressive or
malicious. Rather, we use comedy. Parody imitates, stresses, and draws attention to certain
features, characters, or plot points which are weak, silly, strange, or subject to criticism of any
sort. Whereas serious criticism of politicians, artwork, celebrities, or literature can be boring
or complicated, parody draws in an audience with a sense of humor and a lighter take on
serious issues. Parody allows comedians to take on serious issues while still making us
laugh.

Example

Gaugie puts on her father’s big shoes and stomps around, saying, “I need to make a
business call. I am a very busy, very important businessman!”

In this example, the girl is parodying her own father who she knows works as a businessman.
She is making the comment that the image many business people have is overly serious and
self-important.

What is it?
Who is being parodied in the given situation below?
How is the parody being done? Write your answer on the
space provided.

At the talent show, a group of boys wears matching outfits and prances around singing
One Direction’s “Best Song Ever.” They sing very poorly and overly dramatically.
.
Your answer:
What is Allusion?

Allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical,
cultural, literary or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to
which it refers. It is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess
enough knowledge to spot the allusion and grasp its importance in a text.

Example

You make a literary allusion the moment you say, “I do not approve of this quixotic
idea,”

Quixotic means stupid and impractical derived from Cervantes’s “Don Quixote”, a story of a
foolish knight and his misadventures.

What is the importance of using Allusion?

Allusions in writing help the reader to visualize what's happening by evoking a mental
picture. But the reader must be aware of the allusion and must be familiar with what it
alludes to.

Example “Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.”

“Romeo” is a reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo, a passionate lover of Juliet, in

“Romeo and Juliet”.

What is it?
1. Read and analyze the drawing.
2. What feeling has the boy for the girl?
3. To whom does the boy compare the girl with?
4. Write your answer/answers on the space provided below the
drawing.

BOY GIRL

Why shouldn’t I compare you to Cleopatra?

Your beauty, your charm, your smile, your wit.

Your answer:

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 What is New
HYPERTEXTUALITY

What is Hypertextuality?

Hypertextuality according to K. Amaral, 2010 is simply a non-linear way of presenting

information. Rather than reading or learning about things in the order that an author, or
editor, or publisher sets out for us, readers of hypertext may follow their own path, create
their own order – their own meaning out the material.

This is accomplished by creating “links “between information. These links are provided so
that the readers may “jump” to further information about a specific topic being discussed
( which may have more links, leading each reader off into a different direction).

Hypertext is a nonlinear way of showing information.

What is Hypertext?

It is a non-linear way of presenting information. Instead of reading or learning about things in

the order predefined by an author, an editor or a publisher, the readers of a hypertext can
follow their own path, create their own order – their own meaning out of the material.

Hypertext is text which contains links to other texts. The term was coined by Ted Nelson
around 1965. It is when you type a word and attach a link to that word so that upon clicking
on that word, the reader is sent to the site attached.

Hypertext is the foundation of the World Wide Web enabling users to click on link to obtain
more information on a subsequent page on the same site or from website anywhere in the
world.

Hypertext materials include pictures, video materials animated and audio illustrations. All
those possibilities make hypertext materials content high and suitable for educational
purposes.
Hypertext connects topic on a screen to related information, graphics, videos, and music –
information is not simply related to text.

This information appears as links and is usually accessed by clicking. The reader can jump
to more information about a topic, which in turn may have more links. This opens up the
reader wider horizon of information to a new direction.

A reader can skim through sections of a text, freely jumping from one part to another
depending on what aspect of the text interests him/her. Thus, in reading with hypertext, you
are given more flexibility and personalization because you get to select the order in which
you read the text and focus on information that is relevant to your background and interests.

Example

If you are reading an article about marine mammal bioacoustics, you may be interested in
seeing a picture of a dolphin. Or you may want to hear the sound it makes. Or you may
even be interested in seeing what a marine mammal sound “looks like” in a spectrogram.
You might even want to find out more about sounds made by other animals in the sea,
thus leading you on a completely different, detailed path.

Why use Hypertext?

We use hypertext because in general, humans learn associatively. That is, we are better able to
figure out materials if we are allowed to move at our own pace, investigating that which
interests us, and stimulating more senses through multimedia.
 What is it?

The following statements are alluding to famous

movies, music, literature, or events. Find the allusion and
write your answer on the space provided for after the
sentence.

1. I met a man who was romantic and a true Romeo.

2. Things became hard in her life, but she just kept swimming. _
3. I know things may seem hard, but all you need is love. _
4. This place is like a Garden of Eden. _
5. Hey! Guess who the new Newton of our school is. _ _

What’s More
“Give Me Prime Laughter”

1. Make a parody of a song of your choice.

2. The song choice can be anything under the sun.
3. You should give me a copy of the lyrics of your parody and the title of
the original song.
4. Your performance will be rated by using a rubric.

Song Parody Rubric

https://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?sp=yes&code=K55B48&

Excellent Good Fair 3 Needs Improvement 2 Poor

5 pts 4 pts pts pts 1 pts

1. Rhythm/ Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Rhyme
Patterns Improvement
Parody version of the Parody version of the Parody version of the Parody version of
song completely song mostly matches song sometimes Parody version of the the song doesn't
matches the rhythm the rhythm and matches the rhythm song rarely matches match the rhythm
and rhyme patterns of rhyme patterns of the and rhyme patterns the rhythm and rhyme and rhyme patterns
the original. original. of the original. patterns of the original. of the original.

2. Theme Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Improvement
Overall theme of Overall theme of Overall theme of the Overall theme of
the parody has a the parody has a parody has a Overall theme of the the parody is not
clear, humorous humorous humorous message, parody is at times clear.
message. message. but at times is humorous, but
unclear or goes off frequently goes off
topic. topic or is difficult to
understand.
 3. Lyrics- Word Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor
Choice
Improvement
Lyrics were carefully Lyrics were Lyrics were chosen Lyrics were not
chosen and assist in sometimes chosen with basic care and Lyrics were sometimes chosen carefully and
getting the overall carefully and assist in get the general idea chosen with basic appear to be
theme of the parody getting the overall of the theme across care, but at times randomly placed
across to the theme of the parody to the audience. appear not to fit in simply to fit rhythm
audience clearly. across to the with the overall theme or rhyme pattern.
audience. of the parody.

4. Performance Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Quality
Improvement
Well polished Rehearsed and Rehearsed Unrehearsed. No
performance. No prepared in song somewhat. Some Poorly rehearsed. mastery of song
noticeable errors. lyrics. mastery of song Little mastery of lyrics.
Confident. lyrics. song lyrics.

5. Delivery Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Improvement
Verses were well All verses were Some incomplete Verses made no
written and got clear and easily verse sections. Not Verses made little sense. Not
point of song understood. Lyrics completely sense. Not understandable.
across. flowed. understandable. completely
Outstanding. understandable.

6. Creativity Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Improvement
Ideas expressed are Ideas expressed are Ideas expressed are Ideas expressed are
very original and mostly original and occasionally original Ideas expressed are not original nor
clever. clever. and clever. rarely original and clever.
clever.

7. Effort Excellent Good Fair Needs Poor

Improvement
Maximum effort put Good effort put into Fair effort put into Little to no effort
into project. project. Directions project. Directions Some effort put into put into project.
Directions were were followed. were followed project. Directions Directions not
followed somewhat. were followed to an followed well or at
completely. extent. all.

What I Have Learned

Context is defined as the social, cultural, political, historical
and other related circumstances that surround the text and
from the terms from which it can be better understood and
evaluated.

Being a critical reader involves understanding that texts

are always developed with a certain context. A text is neither
written nor read in a vacuum; its meaning and interpretation are
affected by a given set of circumstances.

Intertextuality is an important stage in understanding a piece of literature, as it is necessary

to see how other works have influenced the author and how different texts are employed in
the piece to convey certain meanings.

Hypertext is text which contains links to other texts. It is the foundation of the World Wide
Web enabling users to click on link to obtain more information on a subsequent page on the
same site or from website anywhere in the world.
 Assessment
A. Tell how each context is developed. Explain.

1. Your friend Kelly is known for chewing

gum all the time. Looking at her, you
begin stuffing gum in your mouth and
chewing very loudly, saying, “Hi! I’m
Kelly! Do you have any extra gum? I
could really use some more.”

2. She was breathtakingly beautiful,

but he knew that she was the
forbidden fruit.

3. She transformed her backyard to look like the Garden of Eden.

Assignment: In a one whole sheet of paper, write a 150- word critique of a

song of your own choice and point out the intertexuality present in its lyrics.
pass along with the lyrics of the song.