context in essay writing

• Scriptwriting

What is Context — Definition and Examples for Writers

C ontext has the ability to change the meaning of a story and how we view its characters — but what is context? We’re going to answer that question by looking at examples from The Office, In Cold Blood and more. We’ll also look at some tips and tricks for how you can effectively implement this necessary element in your own stories. By the end, you’ll know why context is so important and how to apply it in a variety of different ways. But before we jump into our examples, let’s define context.

Content vs Context Definition

What does context mean.

Whether we realize it or not, context is all around us. It is the fundamental way we come to understand people, situations and ideas. Everything that we think, say, see, hear, and do is a response to the external stimuli of the world.

And how we regard that stimuli is largely in response to the context it’s presented to us in. For more on this idea, check out the video from the University of Auckland below.

What is Context? By University of Auckland

So you’re probably thinking, “Okay that’s fine and good and all, but what is context? Surely the meaning can’t be so vague.” Well, it is and it isn’t.

But by understanding the essential aspects of the term, we’re better prepared to apply it in meaningful ways. So without further ado, let’s dive into a formal context definition.

CONTEXT DEFINITION

What is context.

Context is the facets of a situation, fictional or non-fictional, that inspire feelings, thoughts and beliefs of groups and individuals. It is the background information that allows people to make informed decisions. Most of the time, the view of a person on a subject will be made in response to the presented context. In storytelling, it is everything that surrounds the characters and plot to give both a particular perspective. No story takes place without contextual information and elements.

Characteristics of Context:

• Information that’s presented to us
• Used in an argumentative sense
• Biased/subjective form of education

ContextUal Information

Context clues : in and out of context.

In terms of storytelling, there are only two kinds of context: narrative and non-narrative. The former gives us information on the story and the latter gives us information on everything outside of the story.

Narrative types of context include: 

Narrative context is everything that explains “what’s going on” in a story. Take a comedy series like The Office for example: there are a lot of moments in the show that wouldn’t make sense without contextual information — and there just so happens to be a video that explores The Office “out of context.”

What Does Context Mean in The Office?

Even the most ardent fans of The Office may find themselves asking, “what in the world is going on?” when presented with these clips out of context. On social media channels, moments from film and television are often presented like this — like this screen grab from The Good Place .

Context Definition and Examples

In a sense, out of context moments have become a type of humor in and of themselves. But it’s important that we also consider how information outside of the narrative may influence our feelings on the story.

Non-narrative types of context include:

Non-narrative context is everything outside the story that influences our thoughts and opinions on the subject matter. Take Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood for example: when we learn of the circumstances outside of the subject matter, it’s impossible for us to feel the same way about the story.

In Cold Blood is an investigative novel about the murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas. Capote started writing about the murders in earnest before expanding his research into a full-fledged novel — the end result speaks for itself — not only is Capote’s prose considered some of the greatest of all-time, but it also pioneered true-crime writing.

But when In Cold Blood is viewed through the context of the man who wrote it, the setting it took place in, and the precedence of its writing, the meaning is liable to change. The two convicted murderers in the novel, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock, were interviewed by Capote through the writing process.

Their testimony is admitted in the novel, but filtered by Capote. So, for us to say their testimonies are veracious would be irresponsible, considering the context through which it was written.

Elsewhere, critics argue that we can only judge a piece of art based on the merit of the art itself, not the context it was created in. French literary theorist Roland Barthes said that “text” can only speak for itself and that the thoughts and feelings of the author should have no impact on its merit. For more on this “The Death of the Author” theory, watch the video below.

Exploring Context Clues  •  Lindsay Ellis on ‘The Death of the Author’

In recent years, many fans have criticized J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books in light of her political views. Some critics argue that her views change the meaning of the novels. Others argue that her views should have no impact. Alas, there’s no “right” answer, but it’s important to consider how context, both inside and outside of a story, can influence readers.

Context Clues Set the Stage

How to use context as exposition.

There’s a word in screenwriting that most screenwriters shutter to hear… and that word is exposition . Ah yes, the dreaded exposition — or explanatory description — has been known to sink more than a few good scripts. So, how do screenwriters use exposition effectively? Well, it starts with a need for context. When I say need, I mean the story would have no impact without it.

We imported the On the Waterfront screenplay into StudioBinder’s screenwriting software to look at an iconic scene where context is the primary force behind exposition. 

In this scene, Terry details how Charley and Johnny abandoned him. This backstory, or exposition, adds the necessary context needed to make Terry’s exclamation, “I coulda’ been a contender!” impactful.

Click the link below to read the scene.

What is Context?  •   Read the On the Waterfront Screenplay

This explanatory description establishes a context in which we’re able to see that Terry has endured “years of abuse.” The context is further executed as Terry laments the actions of his best friends. Think of it this way: proper exposition should act like a tea-kettle; each relevant detail making the kettle hotter and hotter — or more contextual and more contextual — until — the tension is released… and whoosh, the conflict is resolved. 

How to Add Context Clues

Tips for incorporating context.

Context plays a huge role in guiding the attention and emotional attachment of the audience. Say a character does something really bad, like kill another character. Our natural inclination is to vilify them, but if their actions are given context, we might view their actions as heroic.

Take Ridley Scott’s Gladiator for example: when Maximus kills Commodus, we view him as the hero. Let’s take a look at how this scene plays out:

Context Examples in Gladiator

In context, Maximus’ actions are justified. Commodus killed Maximus’ family and rigged the fight against him. As such, it makes sense that we root for his death. Here are some tips for how to incorporate context in your own works:

• Create empathy for your protagonist
• Vilify your antagonist
• Maximize conflict
• Develop themes
• Callback to prior events

By utilizing these strategies, you’ll create narrative continuity. Context relies on the impact of the past, so you should be mindful of the character’s pasts at all times when writing. 

What is a Plot?

Context may be what informs our understanding of a story’s events, but it would mean nothing if there weren’t events to be informed of. Plot refers to the events and actions that take place within a story — and it’s an essential aspect of every narrative. In this next article, we look at how plot is used in Die Hard to connect narrative threads from beginning to end!

Up Next: Plot Definition and Examples →

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Defined simply, context refers to the circumstances surrounding a particular piece of writing. Often, context is something you cannot directly control, but you can adapt your writing so it is appropriate for your circumstances. Context consists of the time, location, events, and culture surrounding the piece of writing.

When writing or reading, considering when the writing takes place can be crucial to map out a conversation. In research, looking at when particular sources were written could give you an understanding of past attitudes and perspectives. Likewise, if you are writing a piece that is meant to take place in the past, you may need to adjust your language and presentation of ideas based on what the common norms were of that time period.

Just like it is important to consider where an audience is located, it is also important to consider where the writing is located. Is the piece of writing appearing in a magazine or a scholarly journal? Depending on your answer, your conventions and style of writing will need to shift.

Writing is often a response to an event, so it is important to consider the conversations and events that led to the writing. For example, the Declaration of Independence is not just a document; rather, it is a document spurred by a series of important events that led to its creation.

The culture in which a piece of writing is written can have a significant impact on how it is written and interpreted. Culture encompasses a society’s language, practices, and common beliefs. If writing in a particular country or new area, it may be important to investigate what conversations are or are not appropriate. For example, while many US citizens criticize public officials openly in written forms, in some countries, that practice would be inappropriate.

Now that you have this information, it is time to put it into practice. Below is an excerpt from an article,   “About the Boys: Tim Winton on How Toxic Masculinity is Shackling Men to Misogyny” . We have broken down the elements of context so that you can see how understanding the surrounding circumstances may make it easier to analyze and interpret the article. These observations can be used to make an argument about the culture of the time period in which it was written and the content and topics of the article.

In the absence of explicit, widely-shared and enriching rites of passage, young men in particular are forced to make themselves up as they go along. Which usually means they put themselves together from spare parts, and the stuff closest to hand tends to be cheap and defective. And that’s dangerous.

Toxic masculinity is a burden to men. I’m not for a moment suggesting men and women suffer equally from misogyny, because that’s clearly and fundamentally not true. And nobody needs to hear me mansplaining on the subject of the patriarchy. But I think we forget or simply don’t notice the ways in which men, too, are shackled by misogyny. It narrows their lives. Distorts them. And that sort of damage radiates; it travels, just as trauma is embedded and travels and metastasizes in families. Slavery should have taught us that. The Stolen Generations are still teaching us. Misogyny, like racism, is one of the great engines of intergenerational trauma.

A man in manacles doesn’t fully understand the threat he poses to others. Even as he’s raging against his bonds. Especially as he’s raging against his bonds. When you’re bred for mastery, when you’re trained to endure and fight and suppress empathy, how do you find your way in a world that cannot be mastered? How do you live a life in which all of us must eventually surrender and come to terms? Too many men are blunt instruments. Otherwise known, I guess, as tools. Because of poor training, they’re simply not fit for purpose. Because life is not a race, it’s not a game, and it’s not a fight.

Can we wean boys off machismo and misogyny? Will they ever relinquish the race, the game, the fight, and join the dance? I hope so. Because liberation – a process of disarmament, reflection and renewal – isn’t just desirable, it’s desperately necessary. In our homes, in business, and clearly, and most clearly of all, in our politics.

2018. A very divisive time, culturally, politically, religiously, and in other aspects.

The Guardian  is a publication based in the United Kingdom, but reaches an international audience. The author is a white Australian man.

Mass shootings perpetrated mostly by men have led to widespread conversations about toxic masculinity. A large number of men in high-profile positions of power have been accused of sexual misconduct. The Me Too movement has reignited interest and awareness regarding issues of toxic masculinity and cultural misogyny.

Men (and women) are taught and encouraged to view women as objects. Women are taught that looking good is the only value they have.

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1 Audience, Purpose, & Context

Questions to Ponder

Discuss these following scenario with your partners:

Imagine you are a computer scientist, and you have written an important paper about cybersecurity. You have been invited to speak at a conference to explain your ideas. As you prepare your slides and notes for your speech, you are thinking about these questions:

• What kind of language should I use?
• What information should I include on my slides?

Now, imagine you are the same computer scientist, and you have a nephew in 3rd grade. Your nephew’s teacher has invited you to come to his class for Parents’ Day, to explain what you do at work. Will you give the same speech to the class of eight-year-olds? How will your language and information be the same or different?

Thinking about audience, purpose, and context

Before we give the presentations in the scenarios described above, we need to consider our audience, purpose, and context. We need to adjust the formality and complexity of our language, depending on what our audience already knows. In the context of a professional conference, we can assume that our audience knows the technical language of our subject. In a third grade classroom, on the other hand, we would use less complex language. For the professional conference, we could include complicated information on our slides, but that probably wouldn’t be effective for children. Our purpose will also affect how we make our presentation; we want to inform our listeners about cybersecurity, but we may need to entertain an audience of third graders a bit more than our professional colleagues.

The same thing is true with writing. For example, when we are writing for an academic audience of classmates and instructors, we use more formal, complex language than when we are writing for an audience of children. In all cases, we need to consider what our audience already knows, what they might think about our topic, and how they will respond to our ideas.

In writing, we also need to think about appearance, just as we do when giving a presentation. The way our essay looks is an important part of establishing our credibility as authors, in the same way that our appearance matters in a professional setting. Careful use of MLA format and careful proofreading help our essays to appear professional; consult  MLA Formatting Guides for advice.

Before you start to write, you need to know:

Who is the intended  audience ? ( Who  are you writing this for?)

What is the  purpose ? ( Why  are you writing this?)

What is the  context ? ( What  is the situation,  when  is the time period, and  where  are your readers?)

We will examine each of these below.

AUDIENCE ~ Who are you writing for?

Your audience are the people who will read your writing, or listen to your presentation. In the examples above, the first audience were your professional colleagues; the second audience were your daughter and her classmates. Naturally, your presentation will not be the same to these two audiences.

Here are some questions you might think about as you’re deciding what to write about and how to shape your message:

• What do I know about my audience? (What are their ages, interests, and biases? Do they have an opinion already? Are they interested in the topic? Why or why not?)
• What do they know about my topic? (And, what does this audience not  know about the topic? What do they need to know?)
• What details might affect the way this audience thinks about my topic? (How will facts, statistics, personal stories, examples, definitions, or other types of evidence affect this audience?)

In academic writing, your readers will usually be your classmates and instructors. Sometimes, your instructor may ask you to write for a specific audience. This should be clear from the assignment prompt; if you are not sure, ask your instructor who the intended audience is.

PURPOSE – Why are you writing?

Your primary purpose for academic writing may be to inform, to persuade, or to entertain your audience. In the examples above, your primary purpose was to inform your listeners about cybersecurity.

Audience and purpose work together, as in these examples:

• I need to write a letter to my landlord explaining why my rent is late so she won’t be upset. (Audience = landlord; Purpose = explaining my situation and keeping my landlord happy)
• I want to write a proposal for my work team to persuade them to change our schedule. (Audience = work team; Purpose = persuading them to get the schedule changed)
• I have to write a research paper for my environmental science instructor comparing solar to wind power. (Audience = instructor; Purpose = informing by analyzing and showing that you understand these two power sources)

Here are some of the main kinds of informative and persuasive writing you will do in college:

How Do I Know What My Purpose Is?

Sometimes your instructor will give you a purpose, like in the example above about the environmental science research paper ( to inform ), but other times, in college and in life, your purpose will depend on what effect you want your writing to have on your audience. What is the goal of your writing? What do you hope for your audience to think, feel, or do after reading it? Here are a few possibilities:

• Persuade or inspire them to act or to think about an issue from your point of view.
• Challenge them or make them question their thinking or behavior.
• Argue for or against something they believe or do; change their minds or behavior.
• Inform or teach them about a topic they don’t know much about.
• Connect with them emotionally; help them feel understood.

There are many different types of writing in college: essays, lab reports, case studies, business proposals, and so on. Your audience and purpose may be different for each type of writing, and each discipline, or kind of class. This brings us to context.

CONTEXT ~ What is the situation?

When and where are you and your readers situated? What are your readers’ circumstances? What is happening around them? Answering these questions will help you figure out the context, which helps you decide what kind of writing fits the situation best. The context is the situation, setting, or environment; it is the place and time that you are writing for. In our examples above, the first context is a professional conference; the second context is a third-grade classroom. The kind of presentation you write would be very different for these different contexts.

Here’s another example: Imagine that your car breaks down on the way to class. You need to send a message to someone to help you.

AUDIENCE : your friends

PURPOSE : to ask for help

CONTEXT : you are standing by the side of Little Patuxent Parkway, 10 minutes before class begins. Your friends are already at the campus Starbucks or in Duncan Hall.

Do you and your readers have time for you to write a 1,000-word essay about how a car works, and how yours has broken down? Or would one word (‘help!’) and a photo be a better way to send your message?

Now imagine that you are enrolled in a mechanical engineering class, and your professor has asked for a 4-page explanation of how internal combustion works in your car. What kind of writing should you produce? This would be the appropriate audience, purpose, and context for the 1,000-word essay about how a car works.

Activity ~ A Note about Tone

As you consider your audience, purpose, and context, you will need to think about your word choice as well. For example, say these two phrases out loud:

• very sick kids
• seriously ill children

Do they mean the same thing? Would you use the phrases in the same way? How about:

• lots of stuff

The words we choose help determine the tone of our writing, which is connected to audience, purpose, and context. Can you think of other examples using formal and informal tone?

Is this chapter:

…about right, but you would like more detail? –> Watch “ Audience: Introduction & Overview ” and from Purdue’s Online Writing Lab. Also, view “ Purpose, Audience, & Context ” from The Ohio State University.

…about right, but you prefer to listen and learn? –> Try “ Thinking About Your Assignment ” from the Excelsior OWL and “ A Smart Move: Responding the Rhetorical Situation .”

…too easy? –> Watch “ Writing for Audiences in U.S. Academic Settings ” from Purdue OWL.

Or, how about watching a funny video? In this short (3.5 minutes) video from the popular children’s program Sesame Street , Sir Ian McKellen tries to teach Cookie Monster a new word, but at first, Sir Ian doesn’t really understand what his audience knows (or doesn’t know), so Cookie Monster doesn’t understand.

Portions of this chapter were modified from the following Open Educational Resources:

Saylor Academy under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License  without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensor.

“ Audience ” and “ Purpose ” chapters from The Word on College Reading and Writing by Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear, which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Note: links open in new tabs.

to think about

believability

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing Copyright © 2020 by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Definition to Remember:

Rules to Remember:

• While the three points of the triangle – purpose, audience, and voice – are important in determining how your voice will be heard, where your voice will be heard can be equally important. Are you writing an academic essay, an online discussion forum, an email, an evaluation, a review, a blog, a post, an article, a letter, or a text? Will your words appear on printed paper or on a screen? If they will be printed, will they be on paper, in a book, on a pamphlet or informational guide, in a magazine or journal, or on the pages of a newspaper? If they will appear on a screen, are they more likely to appear on someone’s desktop computer, laptop computer, iPad, TV, smart phone, smart watch, a large smart screen, or another device? How does the context affect how and what you will say?
• colored fonts
• varied point sizes
• strategic white space
• bulleted lists
• break-out boxes
• sound bites
• interactive maps
• questionnaires or surveys
• pop-up images

For example, as you type an academic essay on your laptop while monitoring work emails on a desktop and occasionally checking social media on a smart phone, you shift your linguistic code with each new device and context. While you may not always need to remind yourself to monitor your tone as you move from a formal email to your boss to an emoji-based text to your spouse, you need to be careful not to slip between the two.Many of the components of voice apply here as well. How do each of these affect the impact you are hoping to have on your readers?

• word choice
• sentence length
• paragraph length
• point of view
• punctuation choices
• emotional appeals
• appeals to logic
• storytelling
• direct vs. indirect address
• opposing arguments
• diction, syntax, and tone “Working with social media requires having an excellent ability to be quick and to the point while adhering to AP standards and maintaining a professional tone.” Jonathan Esterman, Billing & Collections Specialist

Common Errors:

• Assuming that writing is just writing without pondering the effects of varying contexts. While the written medium has always had an impact on the message, today’s constantly shifting contexts have an even greater effect. The more aware we are of the contexts we are sliding between, the more impactful our words will be.
• Neglecting to consider the impact of visuals and live information on our writing. While these additions do not always replace our words, they can alter the approach that we take. Keep a wide-angle view of your project: What is best heard? What is best seen? How can you communicate in ways that are memorable, intentional, and mindful of how and where your readers will receive your message?
• Remaining inflexible in an era that demands flexibility. While the simple math of effective writing remains stable, the means with which we share our writing with one another is continually changing. The more flexible we are in our efforts to reach others, the more likely we are to be heard.

Exercise 17.1

Consider five writing tasks that you have completed recently, whether for school, work, or home. What was the purpose of each? Who was your audience for each? What was the context for each? Consider a new context for each of the tasks you list below: If it was an essay, what if it had been a long email? If it was a report for work, what if it had been a social media blog? Consider the impact each shift in context would have on your final product.

Exercise 17.2

Select one of the writing tasks from Exercise 17.1 above, and consider how you might incorporate the following additions. Would the item list add or detract from your argument? Why? How would you define each item in terms that would apply specifically to your topic?

• Colored fonts and varied point sizes
• Graphs or Charts
• Break-out boxes
• Interactive maps
• Questionnaires or surveys

Exercise 17.3

Consider a writing assignment you intend to write in the near future, whether for work, school, or personal use. What is you purpose, and who is your audience? What context will you use and why? What impact will that context have on your final product? If you could choose a different context, what would you choose? Why?

The Simple Math of Writing Well Copyright © 2017 by Dr. Jennie A. Harrop is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Essay Writing Processes

Considering writing contexts.

There are three main contexts to consider when approaching writing:

• purpose of the writing
• type of writing
• reading audience

First of all, writing exists within the context of what you want to accomplish, your purpose: to inform, instruct, analyze, argue logically, evaluate, etc.  For example, if your purpose is to argue logically and persuade your reader of the validity of your stance on an issue, you’ll know even before you start prewriting that you’ll need to include support that addresses the opposing side in order to create a balanced presentation.

Secondly, writing exists within the context of the type of writing you intend to do: blogging, business proposal, case study, academic writing, etc.  In a study of college writing, you’ll most likely be writing either research or non-research essays. Knowing the type of writing that you intend to do can help you make decisions about content, format, and overall approach. For example, if you’re writing a non-research essay offering your own reflections or observations on contemporary manners, you may decide that it’s fine to use a light-hearted tone and informal writing style. You may decide on a more formal approach if you’re writing an essay based on an assigned textbook reading on contemporary manners for a sociology course.

All three contexts are important to consider, sometimes before and definitely after you prewrite. Note that it’s also useful to consider contexts in the writing and revising stages to ensure that you’re clearly addressing your purpose, audience, and conventions for the writing type.

• Considering Writing Contexts. Authored by : Susan Oaks. Provided by : Empire State College, SUNY OER Services. Project : College Writing. License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial
• image of two silhouette heads imposed over bookshelf. Authored by : geralt. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/silhouette-head-bookshelf-know-1793916/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved

Definition of Context

Context is the background, environment, setting , framework, or surroundings of events or occurrences. Simply, context means circumstances forming a background of an event, idea, or statement, in such a way as to enable readers to understand the narrative or a literary piece. It is necessary for writing to provide information, new concepts, and words to develop thoughts.

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. This piece of information is called context. Context illuminates the meaning and relevance of the text and maybe something cultural, historical, social, or political.

Difference Between Content and Context

Content is a written text, while context is a place or situation. Although a text is not a context, content could present context within it. For example, if there occurs a statement in a certain text, it is content in its own right but it is also the context of that statement. It would show what comes next and what comes before that specific statement. Hence, it presents the context that is the place, situation or even atmosphere .

Rhetorical Context: Purpose, Author, and Audience

Although the context in literature is something different, it is different in rhetoric , too. In literary writings, it is just the situation where some statement or characters or events take place. However, in rhetoric, it is not just the text, it is also the purpose of the writing, its author and its audience that matter the most. They make up the context of that rhetorical piece. The reason is that rhetoric is specifically intended to be used for a specific purpose and by a specific person, or it loses its real purpose as well as its effectiveness.

Use of Context in Sentences

• This story was written in the 19 th century after the end of the Civil War. (The context mentions – when)
• Gandhi studied law in South Africa before returning to India and starting the Freedom Movement. (The context mentions – where)
• Harry Potter was published in 1997 by Bloomsbury, United Kingdom. (The context mentions when and where)
• Ivan heard ‘Bonjour’ as soon as he landed at the airport and saw the tower’s top on the way to the exit. (The context mentions a setting and the character is abroad)
• The English Tommies with their weapons entered the buildings to secure the area. (The context mentions the time period of WW1, when soldiers were called ‘Tommies’)

Examples of Context in Literature

Example #1: a tale of two cities by charles dickens.

Dickens begins his novel , A Tale of Two Cities , in 1770, by describing the release of Doctor Manette from Bastille, before taking the story to 1793 and early 1794. In this time span, the narrative covers a broad story. In a larger view, this novel begins in 1757, while its final scene looks forward to the situation in post-revolutionary Paris.

This story has a historical context, which Dickens has organized around various events that occurred during the French Revolution. He has drawn historical features from major events, including the fall of Bastille, the September Massacres, and the Reign of Terror. This backdrop is the story’s context.

Example #2: Animal Farm by George Orwell

George Orwell felt disillusioned by Soviet Communism and its revolution during his time. In the phenomenal novel, Animal Farm , Orwell has expressed himself by using satire through the allegorical characters of Old Major and Boxer; relating them to the Russian Revolution and its characters. Orwell uses animals to explain the history and context of Soviet Communism, some of which relate to party leaders. For instance, the pig Napoleon represents Joseph Stalin, and Snowball represents Leon Trotsky. In fact, Orwell uses this fable for political and aesthetic reasons, following the Russian Revolution as its context.

Example #3: Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

Historical context of Christopher Marlowe ’s Dr. Faustus is religious, as it hints at cultural changes taking place during Marlowe’s time. In 16th century Europe, there was a conflict between Roman Catholicism and the Protestant English Church. During this entire period, Calvinism was popular within the English churches; however, it was controversial. According to Calvinistic doctrine, the status of the people was predestined as saved or damned. Scholars and readers have debated on the stance that Marlowe’s play takes regarding the Calvinist doctrine, in whether Faustus is predestined to hell or not. The Renaissance period provides context for this play by Marlowe.

Example #4: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

There is a popular saying that stories indicate the values and cultures of the societies in which their authors live. In Oedipus Rex , Sophocles presents his protagonist , Oedipus, struggling to implement his will against the destiny set forth by the Greek gods. During this process, Sophocles reveals the Greek values of the period during which he wrote the play.

He has illustrated the context of this play through the words and actions of Oedipus and other characters; as their Greek ideals concerning their governance, fate, and human relationships with the gods. These were some of the more popular themes of that era, and so form the context of the Oedipus Rex .

Example #5: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

“While stranded on a deserted island, a group of boys believe there is a dangerous creature lurking in the underbrush; Simon is the first to identify this menace, suggesting to the boys that ‘maybe,’ he said hesitantly, ‘maybe there is a beast’.”

This excerpt provides an excellent example of context, as it narrates an incident involving a group of young men on a deserted island. The context describes why they were afraid, giving a clear picture of the situation and setting.

Context is all about providing a background or picture of the situation, and of who is involved. Context is an essential part of a literary text, which helps to engage the audience. If writers ignore context, they may overlook a critical aspect of the story’s intent. 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.

Synonyms of Context

Context does not have an equivalent, it has several synonyms that could replace it in different contexts. For example, conditions, factors, surroundings, state of affairs, environment, situation, background, milieu, mood , ambiance, subject , text, theme , or topic.

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How to Structure an Essay: Writing in Context

The basic structure of an essay includes the introduction, the body and the conclusion. Each part has some basic requirements that need to be met. Essays need to be focused on one topic and present the material in a logical order. Each essay is different in keeping with the subject you are addressing. Writing essays also requires you to write in context. This requires making some decisions about the essay before beginning the research and writing phases.

Writing in Context

Determine your audience to decide which tone you want your writing to take by asking yourself some questions. For whom are you writing? What information are you trying to impart to them? Why do you want them to know this? What is their education level?

Focus on how you want them to react to your essay. Are you trying to make them think about something? Are you trying to educate them about a topic?

Keep the answers to these questions in mind when you research and write your essay. This will keep you on track and in context. Do not deviate, as essays should be about one topic and viewpoint only.

Structuring the Essay

Write your thesis statement to include in the introduction. It does not have to be the last sentence in your introduction. The thesis statement must clearly define the point or argument you will be making in your essay.

Write the introduction to introduce the readers to the topic. Grab their attention so they will wish to continue reading the essay. This can be accomplished by sharing shocking statistics; sharing an amusing anecdote or recent news story; quoting a celebrity, scholar or public figure; or posing a difficult question. The introduction can be more than one paragraph long if necessary to educate the reader about the background of the topic or to define the topic.

Create the body of your essay. It should be two to four paragraphs long. Each paragraph should be able to stand independently. The body should include the main argument or idea and supporting examples. All the paragraphs should be connected to one another either with an idea or transition words. Refer to your thesis statements in the body of the essay by referring to key words or ideas in it.

Write the final paragraph, the conclusion of your essay, by summarizing your point briefly and tying everything together. Do not bring up any new ideas in the conclusion.This will be the last opportunity to influence or educate your readers. Make sure you are leaving them with the final conclusion that is supported by the context of your writing.

• West Virginia University: Thinking About Your Writing Context

Annabelle Lee has been working in the journalism field since 1990. She was a teacher and yearbook adviser for four years and holds two associate degrees from her local community college where she currently teaches computer classes. Lee also writes for a local newspaper and was a proofreader for McGraw-Hill.

The Context In an Essay

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• What Is The Context In an Essay
• Historical Context
• Cultural Context
• Geographical Context
• Social Context
• Biological Context
• Political Context
• Literary Context
• Scientific Context
• Technical Context
• Legal Context
• Ethical Context
• Economic Context
• Psychological Context
• When And How to Use The Context In an Essay

One of the main principles of academic writing is to use context. Using context may help you to avoid plagiarism, show the diversity of your knowledge, and make your text more interesting for readers. What is the context? Context can be defined as “background information.” It should be used in every piece of written work, primarily in academic essays (including research papers, term papers, etc.). Read on to discover what you can and cannot do with the context, how to use it properly, and how to find it.

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What is the context in an essay

If your topic is more specific, you can use even more context. However, remember that you should avoid using too many context options at once – the more options you have, the harder it will be to analyze and select the most appropriate one.

Here are some examples of common contexts that you can use in a research paper.

Historical context

The context of a research paper should be a specific event that took place in the past. It is very important that you provide an accurate description of the historical context, so your paper will be more interesting for your readers. For example, the research paper about the Holocaust can be written in the context of World War II, so you must describe in detail the events that took place. Your historical research paper should provide all necessary data, facts, and numbers about the history of the event, so you can write the essay with a clear understanding of all details.

The most important factor of the historical context is the correct chronological order. The best historical research papers are usually written in chronological order. In fact, the whole structure of the research paper is defined by the order of the events. The most interesting and useful information is at the beginning. In this case, the historical context is very important, because it gives an opportunity to understand the main topic of the essay.

The next step is to analyze the historical data in the essay. You have to make the right conclusion about your research, so you can write the essay in the right chronological order.

Cultural context

This context is usually used in writing about art, literature, music, etc. To create an interesting essay, you should include information about the culture in which you grew up, such as your country, region, family, and so on. This information can be written in different ways. Sometimes, information about culture should be provided to the reader from the start. At other times, you should use it as background information for your own comments and explanations. You may use cultural elements of your own experience to illustrate the concept of the subject at hand.

The idea of cultural context is very similar to the idea of historical context. However, cultural context usually refers to the context of the current period of your life, whereas historical context refers to the period when you grew up. Therefore, you are more likely to use information about your own cultural context, but you may also want to use information about the historical context of the topic. For example, if you are studying World War I, you would probably want to include some information about the culture of the time, but you would also want to focus on the events and conditions that led to the war. In other words, your cultural context must be specific and relevant to the topic of your paper.

If you need to write an essay about a period of time when you were not born, you should make use of your current cultural context to write about the events of the time.

Geographical context

This context is usually used in writing about geography, sociology, economics, politics, and many other disciplines. To make your paper more interesting, you need to include geographical, political, and economical information about your country, state, city, and town. You can also include demographic information about the area that is of your study.

You should include this geographical context whenever it is applicable. In some cases, it could even influence the flow of your paper. It could be either positive or negative. For instance, if you are writing about a country that is a large producer of oil, it may be difficult for you to gain sympathy from the people who are not aware of the country’s environmental damage.

In some cases, the geographical context could affect the flow of your paper. If your study is about an industrial city, then you should include information about the city’s industry. If you are going to study a small town, then you should include a small business report or small business owners’ report.

Social context

This context is used in social sciences, psychology, law, political science, economics, etc. You need to include information about your family, the friends you have, the social situation of your city, and so on. You also need to be aware of the social context of your topic. This is the main purpose of this chapter. It may be the context of your work or the context of your study. For instance, in this chapter, we may be talking about the context of studying and working in London or New York.

When you are studying or working in a new country, try to see if you can find out about its culture or society. Try to talk to the natives to find out about how they live and work. See if you can find some interesting books, or magazines, or TV programs about your new country.

Biological context

Biological context is used in many disciplines such as biology, chemistry, nutrition, etc. You need to include all the details about your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, hobbies, and so on. If you are describing the biological system or a biochemistry procedure, then you need to include a detailed description of the system itself. You need to include a description of all the compounds involved. If you are a cell biologist, you will need to explain all the biochemical steps involved in a cell cycle or DNA replication.

The basic biological context includes the history of the discovery and the biological and medical context of a particular problem that needs to be solved.

Political context

The political context is the most complex of all. You need to include information about the current political situation in your country, the situation of the region where you live, your political preferences, and so on.

When writing a research paper in political science, you need to be well-informed about the political situation in your country at the moment of writing. It is very difficult to write about politics, but if you are not well-informed, the research paper will sound biased and unauthentic.

The political situation is very important, as it is a determinant of the development of the country. A country with a democratic government can be easily influenced by external factors, whereas in a country with a communist or authoritarian government, external factors cannot influence such a country. When writing an essay about politics in general, it is important to mention the main political factors, the most important ones.

Literary context

In a research paper, the literary context should be the most important because of the following reasons:

• The more the authors in your paper are famous, the more your paper will become interesting to your readers;
• A good literature essay needs the authors’ names;
• The more a research paper is about famous people, the more accurate information you can provide about them.

In this case, the best literary sources to be used are biographies and autobiographies. Biographies and autobiographies provide more information about famous people because it is not the same to write about someone from his life as it is to write about someone’s life.

In writing about someone’s life, you have to write about all the things that make someone special and interesting. In order to write about someone’s life, you need to write about the events that have occurred to this person, the thoughts and emotions he has felt during his lifetime, and also the actions that he has done.

Scientific context

The scientific context is used in scientific papers. Here you should give information about your laboratory, university, the research institute, your research interests, and so on. You need to be aware of the scientific context of your research topic. You can get inspiration from other people’s research, look for papers that use the same scientific context as you, and have similar research interests. Also, find out which journal your paper will be published. Finally, check whether a scientific context is necessary for your paper.

Technical context

The technical context is used in many disciplines. If your essay is more technical, the information you need to include in your paper will be different. The technical context will be a list of things that you use to describe the context in which your writing takes place.

What are the major aspects of the technical context?

The technical context is used to describe the nature of a problem or the nature of the subject in which a particular paper has been written. For instance, a report on a product will have a specific technical context, so it is important to know what your report is about. This knowledge will help you to choose the most suitable technical language and style of writing.

Legal context

The legal context is used in many disciplines. If your essay is more legal, the information you should include in your paper will be different. There are various elements to the legal context of an argument, such as the nature of the case, and the relevant law, in order to analyze your paper. Some questions to think about when analyzing the legal context are:

• What are the rules that are used in the law to analyze the case?
• How can those rules help you to determine whether or not the case is a good one for you to use?
• What are the reasons behind the rules?
• How will you use those reasons to determine whether or not the case will be a good fit for your argument?

Ethical context

The ethical context is used in many disciplines. If your essay is more ethical, the information you should include in your paper will be different.

Ethical context is used to address the moral nature of a certain action or issue. The paper will discuss the ethical context in terms of the values that are attached to the subject. Ethical context should be included in the paper so that the values and beliefs of the readers are considered. The ethical context will make the paper more complete and also will prevent plagiarism.

Economic context

The economic context is usually used in economics. If your essay is more economic, the information you should include in your paper will be different. A paper that is entirely economic would typically have:

• a short introduction
• a discussion of the main economic concepts that will be used in your essay
• an overview of the different economic problems that will be discussed
• an analysis of the economic problems
• an examination of the arguments used in the analysis of the economic problem
• an evaluation of the arguments used in the discussion of the economic problem

Psychological context

The psychological context is usually used in psychology. If your essay is more psychological, the information you should include in your paper will be different. In this case, you need to understand a little more about psychology and the people that you are writing about.

It is very important to understand what kind of psychological context the essay you are writing about is in. This is very important as the writer has to consider what the essay is about. The context of the psychological essay you are writing about will help you decide whether to write about positive or negative issues. If the essay is positive, then you will need to think about the people in a positive context. If the essay is negative, then you will need to think about the people in the negative context.

When and how to use the context in an essay

Now you know what the context is and how it should be used in your research paper. However, how do you use context when writing? The answer to this question is a separate issue.

You should use the context in your essay in many situations. One of them is to provide extra information that you might need during the writing process. This is very useful when you need to write an outline, write a thesis statement, find examples, or describe a certain event.

If you use the right context, you will have no problem writing a strong essay. Moreover, you will avoid plagiarism and your text will be more interesting for readers.

Here are some situations in which the context can be useful in your research paper:

1. Research paper topics

The research paper topics may be very broad or very specific. It is not always possible to write a research paper about a narrow topic. The context may be useful in such situations to explain the topic. You should include more information about it in your essay.

If you have a very broad topic, you will need to give more information about it to make your essay more interesting. However, be careful that you do not include too many options. This could lead to plagiarism.

If you have a very specific topic, you will need to provide more information about it to make your essay more interesting for readers. The main idea of a research paper should be clear to them from the beginning, so you should provide the most relevant information.

2. Outlining

Writing an outline is not always easy for everybody. Sometimes you are not able to choose the most appropriate order of the main ideas in your research paper. In such a situation, the context can be useful to explain the order of ideas.

It is very easy to make a mistake in writing an outline. However, the context can help you to remember the main topics in your research paper.

3. Writing a thesis

You need to know how to write a thesis statement. However, it is also very important to know how to choose the most suitable thesis statement for a particular essay. If you find yourself in such a situation, the context can be useful to explain the main topic.

When you choose the right thesis statement for a particular essay, you will avoid plagiarism and make your essay more interesting for readers.

4. Writing an introduction

The introduction is one of the most important parts of a research paper. If you need to write an interesting introduction, you should include the right context in your essay. The context may include information about the problem, the thesis statement, the main idea, examples, and so on.

If you need to make the best out of the context, you should use the following structure of an introduction:

• What the problem is.
• What is the main idea is.

This structure is very useful because it gives your readers brief information about your topic. You can also provide links to further information. The main idea is explained in a clear and understandable way. You can use several examples to illustrate your point.

5. Writing a conclusion

The conclusion of the research paper is also very important. If you need to write a strong conclusion, you should provide more information about your topic. You should give more information about it in your conclusion.

The context can be used in several ways in your conclusion. You can use information about the problem, the main idea, examples, and so on. If you need to make the best of the context, the structure of a conclusion should be as follows:

• Explain what the conclusion is.
• Explain what the main idea is.

You can use examples to show what the conclusion means. It is very important to include these examples because they help to make your text more interesting for readers.

6. Writing an essay

In this case, the context is not used in your writing. However, it is very important to know about the structure of a research paper. The main idea of a research paper should be clear to your readers from the beginning. However, you should know how to make the best of the context. You should not make any unnecessary claims that may lead your reader to reject the whole paper.

In short, a context is an important tool in any research paper. A good thesis statement must have context. It will not be clear to your readers if you are talking about a subject in the abstract or you have used the context to support your thesis statement.

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Understanding the Background in an Essay: Context and Significance

Table of contents, defining the background, the importance of context, establishing relevance, creating engagement, conclusion: framing the narrative.

• Smith, John. "The Art of Effective Background Writing." Journal of Academic Writing, vol. 25, no. 2, 2018, pp. 87-104.
• Jones, Emily. "Context Matters: The Role of Background Information in Comprehension." Reading Research Quarterly, vol. 41, no. 3, 2006, pp. 386-401.
• Johnson, Robert. "Crafting Engaging Backgrounds: Techniques for Captivating Readers." Writing Techniques Quarterly, vol. 18, no. 4, 2020, pp. 55-67.
• Thompson, Laura. "The Significance of Context in Essay Writing." Academic Insights, vol. 12, no. 1, 2019, pp. 23-38.
• Williams, David. "The Power of Relevance: Creating Lasting Impressions Through Effective Backgrounds." Rhetoric and Composition Journal, vol. 30, no. 2, 2015, pp. 120-135.

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