Understanding

Context
Year 11 English
Lesson Objectives
1 Define the term 'context' and describe the difference
between context of production and context of
reception.

2 List some of the different types of context, briefly

define them and explain where you might look if you
wanted to find information on them.

3 Undertake research to find information on different

types of context that may have influenced the
construction and reception of a text.
Contents: 1 Definition

2 Authorial Context

3 Historical Context

4 Social Context

5 Cutural Context

6 Political Context

7 Personal Context

8 Expectations of Genre
Definition
The word 'context' refers to the background
information, circumstances and environment
surrounding the production and reception of a text.
You might have heard the phrase 'every text is a
product of its time' or 'texts are cultural artefacts'.

This means that texts can tell us a lot about the

world in which they were produced. Likewise,
understanding that world can allow us, as readers,
to understand and interpret the meaning of texts
on a deeper level, as well as further reflecting on
the ways in which we respond to them.
Production & Reception
In English class, you might hear the terms 'production' and 'reception' used in
our study of context.

Context of production refers to any outside factors that have shaped or

influenced the production or creation of the text. This might include authorial
context as well as the broader historical, social, cultural or political context of
the time the text was written or set.

Context of reception refers to any outside factors that influence the way in
which an audience (either traditional or contemporary) might respond to a
text. This can include an individuals personal context or the broader socio-
historical conditions of the time period.
 Types of Context

Authorial Historical Cultural Context Social Context

Context Context

Political Context Personal Expectations of

Context Genre
Authorial
Context
How a text has been influenced by the
events of the author’s life, their other work
and the circumstances that surrounded
the writing of the text.

This might include key aspects of their identity,

significant life experiences, values and beliefs and
their personal style and other works.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask:
• Where and when was the author
born?
• What were some of their most
significant life experiences?
• Do they often write texts of a
particular genre?
• Have they cited any major
influences on their work?
Where to Look:
When researching authorial context,
consider the following:
• Interviews with the author
• Biographies
• Personal / business website
• Front or back of texts (sometimes
include an author's note)
Historical
Context
How a text has been shaped by the
historical events, timeframe and
circumstances of the time the text was
produced or of the chosen setting of the
text.

This might include major events, economic

conditions, technology and relationships between
countries, societies and people.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask:
• Where and when is the text set?
• What major historical events
occurred or were occurring at the
time the text was written or set?
• What wars or conflicts were
occurring?
• What technology was available?
• Is there any language or vocabulary
specific to the time period?
Where to Look:
When researching historical context,
consider the following:
• History books or websites
• Newspaper excerpts
• Historical timelines
• Online dictionaries and
encyclopaedias
Social
Context
How a text reflects the nature of a
particular society, including gender roles,
social customs and norms and social
divisions.

This might include the value and attitudes held by

society at the time, dominant and marginalised
groups, relationships and interactions between
people or the social hierarchy based on race, class
or gender.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask:
• What was society like at the time
the text was produced or set?
• Who held power and which groups
were marginalised in society?
• What were the social norms or
customs?
• Was there a hierarchy influenced by
gender, race or class?
• What rules existed around
behaviours and interactions?
Where to Look:
When researching social context,
consider the following:
• History books or websites
• Diary entries
• Movies or other texts set in the
same time period
• Online dictionaries and
encyclopaedias
Cultural
Context
How a text has been influenced by the
cultural features, traditions, beliefs,
customs, and way of life specific to a
particular group of people.

This might include factors related to race,

nationality, geographical area or religion. It might
also include literature, art, music, media, fashion
or the nature of work and occupations.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask:
• What can you find out about the
culture of the dominant group that
the text focuses on?
• What were the dominant religions
at the time?
• What literature, media, art, music or
fashion was popular at the time the
text was written or set?
• What were the expected roles or
occupations of people?
Where to Look:
When researching social context,
consider the following:
• History books or websites
• Diary entries
• Newspaper articles
• Movies or other texts set in the
same time period
Political
Context
How a text has been shaped by factors
relating to the government or public affairs
of a country.

This might include political events, authority

figures or the type of government in control, how
they exercise power and whether the text is
created to further a particular political agenda.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask: Where to Look:
• Who was in power at the time the When researching political context,
text was produced? consider the following:
• What type of government was it?
• How did this person or group • History books or websites
exercise power? • Online encyclopaedias
• Did the author of the text support
or oppose this type of government?
Personal
Context
How a reader's response to a text is
shaped by the personal circumstances in
their life that influence the way they
perceive the world, and ultimately, the way
they interpret the text.

This might include key parts of reader's identity

(e.g. age, gender, race, occupation, location), their
significant life experiences and/or their values,
attitudes and beliefs.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask:
• What are the key parts of your
identity that might influence the
way in which you view the world?
• What are your most significant life
experiences?
• What are your values, attitudes and
beliefs?
• Do you enjoy reading or viewing
texts of a particular genre?
Where to Look:
When making notes on personal
context, consider the following:
• Your age, gender, ethnicity, family,
location, occupation, education
level etc.
• Your experience with reading or
viewing other texts
• Your upbringing and life
experiences
Expectations of
Genre
How a text reflects a particular style or
category and the associated
conventions of this genre.

This might include whether the text adheres to

these expected conventions or debunks,
challenges or merges them with different
genre.
 Your Turn
Questions to Ask: Where to Look:
• What genre does the text fit into? When researching genre, consider the
You might also consider sub-genres following:
or hybrid genres?
• What are the associated • Online dictionaries and
conventions of this genre? encyclopaedias
• Does the text adhere to, challenge • Literature or media websites
or subvert any of these conventions • Other texts that fit into the same
or expectations? genre
• Why do you think it does that?
To Conclude
Understanding context can help us delve
deeper into our analysis by understanding
the world in which the text was produced, set
or received.

Texts can act as mirrors, encouraging us to

reflect on ourselves and our world. When
studying texts in English class, consider how
context has shaped or influenced the text
and how our own knowledge of context can
affect our responses to texts.

Goodluck!
Elements: