Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english/1-1-2-common-mistakes-with-context-1

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [Teacher CPD](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd.md) › [CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English!](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/teacher-cpd/cpd-you-cant-revise-for-gcse-english.md) › Common Mistakes with Context 1

# Common Mistakes with Context 1

CPD: You Can't Revise for GCSE English! (by Mark Roberts), topic 1.1.2

## Where Most Students go Wrong with Context

Many students struggle to gauge how much context to include. They often neglect context or discuss it too much and forget to answer the question properly. Students make 7 common mistakes:

### Mistake 1 - not including any context

![Mistake 1 - not including any context](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/82d8484d-95cc-4841-a423-2eecc5890264/mistakes-editing-writing-.jpg)

### Mistake 2 - too much context

![Mistake 2 - too much context](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e31b2f00-e3f9-4939-b20d-e1bad20f99fc/mistake-correct-.jpg)

### Mistake 3 - mixing up historical events or periods

![Mistake 3 - mixing up historical events or periods](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-07/139eb4f2-a6a1-4a8b-a315-91cbedf553e3/confused-2681507_1920.jpg)

### Mistake 4 - vague references to the past

![Mistake 4 - vague references to the past](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/79e46991-4a22-4b6e-8d99-8b4b7aa838fc/shakespeare-.jpg)

### Mistake 5 - missing opportunities to write about genre or themes

![Mistake 5 - missing opportunities to write about genre or themes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/60aa1039-9f63-45f6-8c26-70b5bab98e33/opportunity-396265_1920.jpg)

### Mistake 6 - generalisations and simplifications

![Mistake 6 - generalisations and simplifications](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/73dbf9d6-bdb0-41ec-ac0a-81a197b6b7c7/editing-text-writing-edit-.jpg)

### Mistake 7 - 'bolt-on' context that isn't linked to themes, language, or the question

![Mistake 7 - 'bolt-on' context that isn't linked to themes, language, or the question](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/214652a1-b548-4468-8945-db491b8d0284/writing-paper-words.jpg)

## Test yourself on Common Mistakes with Context 1

- What are some of the common mistakes for students to avoid regarding context?
- What are some of the common mistakes for students to avoid regarding context?
- How much, roughly, of students' marks will be related to the historical context of the text?
- What can we say about the historical background of books?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/2a490036-5dba-4476-9e65-c50bab554d21/section/b02bd9d4-c51d-42bb-8b06-888176713848/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)