How do you write in reference to context?

How do you write in reference to context?

Often, a reference to context involves an explanation of a quote. Examples of providing context include discussing what leads to the quote, what the quote itself means, what it reveals about the story, and what it could mean for the rest of the story, as well.

1 Writing Reference to the Context

Step-I
Begin by mentioning the name of the poem and the poet of that particular poem.

For example:
These lines have been taken from the poem ___ written by _____.
or
This is an extract from the poem ______ written by ______.
or
These lines occur in the poem ____written by ___.

Step-II
* Briefly describe the context/situation in which the chosen lines occur.
* Identify the order/place in the poem i.e., whether the lines under reference happen to be the opening or concluding lines, whether it is the first stanza or the last stanza or it occurs in the middle of the poem.
* Identify the form of the poem whether it is a sonnet, lyric, dramatic monologue, ode or ballad etc. You may incorporate this information while referring to the context of the given passage e.g.; This is the first/second etc. stanza of the sonnet/lyric etc.

Important points to remember
* You should be able to identify the poem, name the poet and locate the passage in the poem.

2 Writing Explanation

Step-I
* Give a simple and brief meaning of the passage.
* Look for the hidden meaning conveyed through poetic devices. Make a mention of similes symbols, metaphor, personification, imagery etc. if any used by the poet in the given lines.

Step-II
* Bring out the meaning of these poetic devices.

Step-III
* Relate the underlying relevance and beauty of these poetic features by way of commenting on their effect in the poem.

There is a difference between writing with reference to "text" and writing with "reference to context."

Writing with reference to text means you will provide evidence, in the form of quotations from the text being discussed, that supports your analysis, arguments and assertions. Writing with reference to text is proving that your statements are logically founded in the text as written, proving that you are not misinterpreting or misunderstanding the text you've read and analyzed.

Contrastingly, writing with reference to context means to locate a quotation in relation to a given work ( recognize the work a given quotation is extracted from, and can you say what kind of work it is, who wrote it and where the quotation is found).

Writing with reference to context requires that you briefly relate the meaning of the work as a whole and then relate the meaning of the quotation, and it requires that your comment on meaning be built upon the figurative devices that underlie the deep meaning of the quotation. It is clear, then, that referencing text and referencing context are not the same technique, nor do they fulfill the same functions.

Atta Ur Rahman Jadoon