Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-1-what-is-context-and-why-is-it-important

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# What is Context & Why is it Important?

CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English! (by Mark Roberts), topic 1.1.1

## What is Context?

Throughout literature exams, students will be expected to consider context in their answers. The way context is applied varies by exam board but regardless - context is important.

### What is context?

![What is context?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-04/38d9fca1-0ca6-4512-bc4f-116f0e40a12f/mary-shelley-.jpg)

- Context is the background to the text that a student is studying.
- When discussing context we tend to consider:
 - When the text was written and what society was like at that time.
 - The importance of the setting.
 - The writer's background and influences.
 - How other writers in the same genre may have influenced the writing of the text.
 - The significance of the writer's other works.
 - For plays, how different versions have been performed.

### Coping with context

![Coping with context](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/be2e1703-f8f6-4cd9-92ff-f343954fd9b8/macbeth-shakespeare-.jpg)

- Students often struggle to apply context, especially when older texts are considered.
- Shakespeare lived over 400 years ago, and there are many different interpretations about what was going on at the time, and what Shakespeare was trying to say.
- Students are often unsure as to what to include and how they should include it.

### Moving on

![Moving on](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2020-06/305f8d0a-9ef1-497f-bcb4-675791c5d2ae/communication-1991850_1920.jpg)

- This section will focus on how students can use context appropriately, effectively, and communicate it in a way that is clear, thoughtful, and relevant to the question.

## Test yourself on What is Context & Why is it Important?

- Why do students struggle with context?
- What information contributes to context?
- What information contributes to context?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/2a490036-5dba-4476-9e65-c50bab554d21/section/92baaf75-6aad-4dfe-9dc9-608d8c8486e4/session)

- Next topic: [1.1.2 Common Mistakes with Context 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-2-common-mistakes-with-context-1.md)

## CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English! (by Mark Roberts) contents

### 1 Using Context Successfully
- 1.1 Using Context Successfully
  - [1.1.1 What is Context & Why is it Important?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-1-what-is-context-and-why-is-it-important.md)
  - [1.1.2 Common Mistakes with Context 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-2-common-mistakes-with-context-1.md)
  - [1.1.3 Common Mistakes with Context 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-3-common-mistakes-with-context-2.md)
  - [1.1.4 Key Points for Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-4-key-points-for-context.md)

### 2 Improving Practice Essays
- 2.1 Improving Practice Essays
  - [2.1.1 How to Revise for the Component Parts of an Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-1-how-to-revise-for-the-component-parts-of-an-essay.md)
  - [2.1.2 Essay Introductions for Novels & Plays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-2-essay-introductions-for-novels-and-plays.md)
  - [2.1.3 Essay Introductions for Poetry](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-3-essay-introductions-for-poetry.md)
  - [2.1.4 Main Body of the Essay](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-4-main-body-of-the-essay.md)
  - [2.1.5 Key Points for Writing Practise Essays](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/2-1-5-key-points-for-writing-practise-essays.md)