HOW TO WRITE REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT (PLAY)

While writing a reference to the context the very common mistakes student commit is that misunderstanding the meaning of the question itself. Maximum of them think that reference to the context means explaining the given lines of the play in your own words. This I would like to say is an absolute misconception. By reference to the context, we mean that, you have to refer to the context in every way possible. This includes :-

1. The name of the play from where the lines have been taken along with the name of the playwright.
2. The act and the scene of the play.
3. The character who is speaking the lines.
4. When and where the lines are being spoken.
5. What happens just before and after the particular dialogue is being spoken.
6. Your own critical analysis which you framed about the play or any character after reading the particular lines.

Now there is also a specific format which you should follow. Many times it happens that your reference to the context might contain all the required points but readers while reading might not feel satisfied due to a lack of order.

The introduction paragraph should include the name of the play, the name of the playwright, the act and the scene of the play all at once.

Next you have to mention by whom are the lines mentioned spoken. In addition you have to explain the meaning of the mentioned lines. Often, in examination flat lines from any play are not given for reference to the context. Lines that do have some kind of inner meaning are given. In that case you also have to explain the inner meaning portrayed through the lines. In some cases, specific words have allusion, those allusions should also be mentioned. If any figures of speech are associated with that specific dialogue, those should also be explained.

The next paragraph should contain the setting of the play, when and where the lines are being spoken. In addition you should also explain what happens before and after the mentioned dialogues are being spoken.

The concluding paragraph should contain your own critical analysis about the play or any character you procured after reading the mentioned lines. Please do not incorporate your perception about the play in generalized version. Anything you write in reference to the context should be with reference to the particular dialogue that is being spoken of.

In order to improve the quality of your reference to the context, you should read a good edition of the play concerned. Cross check the annotations at least twice, because some editions might have wrong annotations as well. Do not repeat same words and utilize the stock of words. Remember reference to the context is about eighty percent contextual and the rest twenty percent is analytical, so do not fill up the page with personal viewpoint only. Do not worry about the length as long as the content is good.