Cultural and Cultural and HistoricalHistoricalContextContext

Cultural and Cultural and HistoricalHistoricalContextContext

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What does Cultural Context mean?

Culture includes the behaviors, ideas, and beliefs shared by individuals within a particular group of people.

This group can be based around age, ethnicity, or social standing.

Culture is learned, and it includes language, values, norms, and customs related to that particular group.

What does Historical Context mean?

• This one is a little easier to understand ~

Historical context means the setting of the work that you’re reading or studying.

In other words, the time period and the place in which a story is set.

For Example:

. . .a story which takes place in the 1880’s in Victorian New York City is going to be very different from one which takes place in the 1920’s in Boston, Massachusetts.

How do I determine cultural and historical context?

• First, use background information or prior knowledge to help identify the influences of culture or history.

Ask yourself this question: what ideas about culture or history do I already know that I can bring to this story?

• Second, use your own experiences to help you to relate.

Ask yourself this question: have I ever had any similar feelings or experiences as the character(s)?

• Lastly, let the tools given on the pages of the text (footnotes at the bottom; side notes on the sides) give you information you may not already know.

Ask yourself: what do these footnotes or side notes tell me that help me better understand the historical and /or cultural context of this story?

Knowing the cultural and historical context of a story allows you as a reader to make a stronger connection with the story.

Because you make this connection, you’re drawn in to the story, and you want to keep reading to know what happens next.

So Remember. . .

1. Use prior knowledge

2. Use your own experiences

3. Use the tools that are given

4. Enjoy the story!