CONTEXTUAL WRITING
DIALOGUE DEFINITION
What is dialogue?
Dialogue is the exchange of spoken
words between two or more characters in a book, play, or other written work. In
prose writing, lines of dialogue are typically identified by the use of
quotation marks and a dialogue tag, such as "she said." In plays,
lines of dialogue are preceded by the name of the person speaking. Here's a bit
of dialogue from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland:
"Oh, you can't help that,' said
the Cat: 'we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad."
"How do you know I'm
mad?" said Alice.
"You must be,' said the Cat, 'or
you wouldn't have come here."
Some additional key details about
dialogue:
Dialogue is defined in contrast
to monologue, when only one person is speaking.
Dialogue is often critical for moving
the plot of a story forward, and can be a great way of conveying key
information about characters and the plot.
Dialogue is also a specific and
ancient genre of writing, which often takes the form of a philosophical
investigation carried out by two people in conversation, as in the works of
Plato. This entry, however, deals with dialogue as a narrative element, not as
a genre.
What is a good definition of speaking?
Speaking is the act of talking.
An example of speaking is when you are talking. An example of speaking is when
you give a lecture in public.
What is speaking in communication?
Speaking is an interactive
process where information is shared, and if necessary, acted upon by the
listener. So, it's important to develop both speaking and listening skills in
order to communicate effectively.
Why Is Context Important in Writing?
Context is information that helps the
message of a literary text make sense. Whether it’s a novel, a memoir, ( biography )
or a collection of short stories, a piece of writing can be interpreted
variably depending on the contextual factors you provide as the author. Some
context is obviously stated and some requires a close reading of the literary
work—so it’s important for every writer to know what context is and how to use
it in their own writing process.
What do you mean by contextual meaning?
You can use the adjective contextual
to describe what something means as it relates to a place, or meaning in a
written text.
Depending on or relating to the
circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea. Background,
setting, framework, backdrop, contexture, situation
Content is a written text, while
context is a place or situation
For example, when you watch a movie from the very start, you learn about the names
of the characters, where the movie is set, and what the plot line is. You can
follow the movie’s storyline because you’ve learned about the context.
What Is Context?
The definition of context is the
setting within which a work of writing is situated. Context provides meaning
and clarity to the intended message. Context clues in a literary work create a
relationship between the writer and reader, giving a deeper understanding of
the intent and direction of the writing. Literary context is background
information or circumstances you provide to inform why something is taking
place; context can also be the backstory of a character, provided to inform
their behavior and personality.
4 Types of Context in Writing
There are multiple types of context
in writing that can deepen a reader’s understanding of the material. Here are a
few examples:
Authorial Context
A writer’s
experiences inevitably inform their writing, from content to style. This biographical context
can refer to an author’s life history, a text’s place in an author’s body of
work, the author’s success, the circumstances in which a text was written,
current events at the time of publication, and even an author’s motivation for
writing a text.
1. Historical context: Providing the time period and its current events can inform the general mood of the era, setting the stage for the tone of your piece of writing and creating an understanding of the society at the time. Historical context can inform the atmosphere for your audience, giving them context for how people felt and behaved during that period in history, the clothing styles of the time, or even the specific word choice (like slang) that was used in that era.
Historical contexts are all about
what was unique or specific about a certain time in history. This can include
cultural and social contexts that are now in the past.
Examples of Historical context:
During The 1990s
When you watch a TV sitcom from the
1990s, they’re very different from today’s sitcoms. There’s a lot less racial
and gender diversity in sitcoms like Friends than in newer American
sitcoms, for example. We can deduce that in the 1990s there were some cultural
context factors specific to that era, and they’ve changed now. All those
factors are now considered historical contexts.
In The Middle Ages
Looking way back to the Middle Ages,
life was very different. There wasn’t any electricity, for one thing! Societies
weren’t industrialized, and many people didn’t know how to read. This means
that information was mostly shared by word of mouth. Religion was much more
important to life than it is in today’s Western countries. And society was
ruled by kings and queens! All these factors influenced the historical
context.
2. Philosophical Context
Literature
addresses age-old questions of metaphysics, ethics, and morality. It ponders
the purpose of life, the nature of God or the universe, right versus wrong,
death, time—the list goes on. Philosophies go in and out of style, and the
great literary movements were influenced by philosophies that waxed and waned
over time.
3. Literary Context
Allusion is a common
demonstration of literary context, in which one text indirectly references
another. But literary context can include several different things, such as an
author’s role models or the way one text influences another. Literary context
also considers how a text fits into broad categories of literature, such as the
aforementioned literary movements.
exclamation
points to express anger) or implying meaning (e.g., using parenthetical asides
to suggest confidentiality).
broad categories of literature, such
as the aforementioned literary movements.
Examples of Context in Literature
Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale
Set
in a dystopian near-future, The Handmaid’s Tale follows Offred and
other subjugated women who strive to reclaim their independence after a
theonomic totalitarian state called Gilead usurps the US government. This quote
comes from Chapter 6, as Offred and fellow handmaiden Ofglen observe the corpses
of people murdered by the state:
Ordinary,
said Aunt Lydia, is what you are used to. This may not seem ordinary to you
now, but after a time it will. It will become ordinary. Gripped by horror,
Offred recalls these words, which suggest that “ordinary” is a matter of
perspective and that, in time, Gilead’s atrocities will seem normal. Aunt
Lydia’s assurance that murder, oppression, and subjugation can become
commonplace, even routine, reveals the depth of Gilead’s power and depravity.
4. Physical context: The attributes of a place can also inform how a plot
unfolds or how characters develop. The physical environment you establish for
your writing will influence how certain characters act and how the audience understands
them. A couple breaking up at a football game will be a much different scene
than them breaking up during a movie. A story about characters escaping a
natural disaster in New York City will have a different setup than if they were
escaping one in Wisconsin. Your environment can dictate how a plot unfolds, but
it’s important to provide readers with enough detail for them to understand
why.
5. Cultural context: Beliefs, religion, marriage, food, and clothing, are
all elements of cultural context that sometimes need to be provided in order to
fully understand an author’s story. For example, Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck
Club includes social context with the writer’s experience, providing
background information to those who are unfamiliar with the traditions of
Chinese-American culture, which is integral in the reader's understanding of
this family’s traditions and beliefs. Without expressing the fears or
expectations embedded in the culture you’re writing about, a divide is created
with those unfamiliar, forming a gap between the reader and writer and
potentially losing your audience.
Examples of Cultural context
Cultural contexts are all about what
your own culture expects of you – its beliefs and values. It’s different
from social context because it’s specific to you and your family’s values, not
the values of your society as a whole.
While you might live in a society,
your values might differ from those of your society. You might be culturally
Christian (cultural context) but your society is secular (social context), for
example.
Cultural contexts often inform and
underpin social contexts. The dominant culture’s values are often part of the
social context, so, these two things overlap a lot. But remember, cultural
contexts are about values and beliefs while social contexts are
about rules and expectations that everyone in society must follow.
A Western Context
A western cultural context is the
cultural context that underpins western places like Europe and the United
States. In a Western cultural context, you’d traditionally be expected to fit
into western cultural norms within western countries.
The cultural context in the West includes beliefs in individual
freedom and freedom of religion. These cultural contexts inform social contexts
in many Western countries, like the rules of behavior and laws of the nations.
In other words, the western culture (cultural context – underlying
beliefs and values) informs the western society (social context –
rules and interactions between people).
6. Situational context: Situational context is why something
is happening based on the event itself. For instance, someone on a first date
might be more nervous than they would be when out with a friend—or a family may
act more aggressively towards one another when they’re playing a board game
than when they’re having a legitimate disagreement. With situational context,
the audience is able to understand how the circumstances of the event occurring
affect those involved.
Examples of Social Context
Social contexts are all
about society and what you need to know about your society in any
situation. Society has rules around behavior and interaction.
Many people in a society will have
different cultures, but we all generally agree on a way to behave in society
that’s usually based on the dominant culture in that society.
At School
School is a social context. It has
its own rules and policies that inform how we should behave. Think about what
you’d tell the alien in this situation. You might have to tell the alien that
this school requires students to wear school uniforms. You could also tell
them which teachers are mean and which are nice. Actually, you might even need
to tell them what a teacher is and why all the students seem to be obeying what
the teachers say!
In A Supermarket
A supermarket context is very
different from a school context. If there are children in a supermarket,
they’re probably not all playing together like at school. It might seem a
little more disorganized. People are moving about in family groups and taking
things off the shelves. Imagine what you’d explain to the alien here. You might
have to tell them how to use a shopping cart, how to stand in a line to pay a
cashier, and what currency you need in order to pay.
7. Political contexts describe what you need to know about the politics of
a situation.
A Communist / Socialist Society
A communist society is the political
context in Cuba and China. It’s where the government has a lot of control over
the means of production and doesn’t let you start a business. It usually also
involves authoritarianism and control over the media. You’ll also not be able
to vote for a new leader every few years like in democratic societies, which
tend to be more capitalist or social-democratic.
A Social-Democratic Society
A social-democratic society explains
societies in Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some South American
and Asian nations. This is a society where there is a mix between socialism and
capitalism. The government will often allow people to start businesses but will
also pay for healthcare, childcare, and education for everyone to try to
increase access and fairness.
Different educational institutions in
different places and at different times have different contexts. The setting or
background details need to be explained to understand the educational context
wherever you are.
8. University Contexts
A university will usually have an
educational context that is far different to that of a high school. Chances are
that people will be coming and going rather than staying all day like at
compulsory schooling. You might have a class in the morning then no more
classes until the evening. Traditionally universities were also research
focused and allowed people to discuss dangerous and taboo topics that might not
be allowed to be discussed in high school.
Early Childhood Contexts
Early childhood contexts are usually
very focused on child safety and play-based learning to help children grow.
Think about all the things that have to be done in an early childhood center
that will be different to a university. For starters, the ages of the people
there will be different! The context will involve everything you’d have to
describe to someone who has never been into an early childhood center.
How Writers Use Context
Writers use context to engage,
inform, and entertain readers. These details establish the narrative’s setting and
the author’s motivation for writing, and they help propel the action.
Context adds authenticity, helping a story reflect readers’ experiences and
securing their investment in the text. Like most literary tools, moderation is
essential when it comes to context. Too much of it can burden a story,
rendering it boring or incomprehensible.
Why Is Context Important in Writing?
The role of context is to bridge the
gap between authors and their audiences, strengthening readers’ comprehension
and preventing miscommunication of the writer’s intent. It’s not enough to know
that a particular event is occurring—readers also need context to know why. For example,
the themes of William Golding's Lord of the Flies—in which a group of boys
is stranded on a deserted island, becoming increasingly violent as they grow
fearful of a dangerous creature—makes more sense within the context of the
author's experiences in World War II.
3 Tips for Providing Context in Your Writing
All writing needs context in order to
cement a reader’s understanding of the text and strengthen communication.
Here are a few tips when including your own context:
1. Get creative. When you include context, you want readers to
understand where you (or your characters) are coming from. This information
doesn’t have to be a straight summary—context can take the form of anecdotes,
memories, life experiences, or relationships. Find creative ways to weave
context into your writing in order to increase comprehension of your text.
2. Remember your audience. Context is important when
considering who your story is for. If your target audience is first-grade
students, your contextual references should be ones that make sense and are relatable
to that age group. Think about who your story is aimed towards, and consider
how your language can increase the relevance of your writing and strengthen
your audience’s understanding.
3. Be mindful of overloading. Exposition in the beginning
part of the story is how many writers provide context, but too much can
slow down the pacing, muddy the overall message, or distract from the intended
meaning. Heavy exposition (both in fiction and non-fiction) can lose your
readers in extraneous details, many of which will not be remembered when it
comes time to the main story. Include only what is necessary to understand the
setting, premise, and characters, and trust your audience to put together the
rest.
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