Over two thousand years ago, an anonymous Egyptian incorporated a series of proverbs into the text now known as the Instructions of Ankhsheshonqy. Sayings such as “Do not be hasty when you speak, lest you offend” or “You may stumble with your foot in the house of a great man; you should not stumble with your tongue” still feel relatable despite the passage of time. On the other hand, “If a crocodile loves a donkey, it puts on a wig” or “Do not let your donkey kick against the date palm, lest he shake it” feel almost nonsensical to us. This is because we lack the context necessary to appreciate these maxims.
In a world increasingly dominated by short-form content, context has never been more crucial. Just as those ancient proverbs require an understanding of their original setting, today’s statements—whether in politics, social media, or everyday conversation—demand careful attention to the circumstances in which they are spoken. One only has to look at the average political ad to see how cherry-picked information shorn of context can be weaponized. As creators, it’s vital that we provide our readers with the context necessary to understand the world around them.
In our previous article on contextualization, we explored practical techniques like using hyperlinks effectively, conducting thorough research, and anticipating reader questions. While those tactics are essential for implementation, many content creators struggle with a more fundamental question: when and why does content need contextualization in the first place? This deeper dive into the underlying principles will help you develop the strategic thinking needed to deploy these techniques effectively.
Identifying the need for context
Context ensures that readers approach the material with the necessary framework to make sense of it. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, and some topics require more context than others.
If you’re writing a news article about a cat being rescued from a tree, you probably don’t need many details beyond the basic who, what, why, where, when, and how. On the other hand, if you’re analyzing the law or assessing the latest market trends, you’re going to have to dive a lot deeper.
Gathering relevant background information
Once you’ve established the need for context, you’ll need to decide which details to include. Chances are, you won’t be able to include everything. In fact, too much information can be just as bad as too little information since it can leave readers drowning in details. You need to help them understand the material without overwhelming (or confusing) them.
If you’re having trouble deciding what’s relevant, think about the questions your readers might have and then provide the information needed to answer them. You could also seek help from friends or family. Ask them “If I told you X, what are some questions that would pop into your head?”
Presenting context clearly and concisely
Contextualization should be an aid, not a burden. To ensure clarity:
- Introduce the context early, setting the stage effectively.
- Provide specific examples to illustrate key points.
- Explain the relevance so readers understand why this context matters.
- Avoid excessive detail, keeping the focus on what enhances understanding.
A well-placed sentence or paragraph of context can make all the difference in interpretation.
Contextualization in practice
Let’s say you’re writing a piece about the royal prerogative in the United Kingdom and you want to discuss the King’s power to dissolve Parliament. You could simply state that the King dissolves Parliament by a royal proclamation and move on. While this is factually correct, without context, it could leave your readers with the impression that the King is some kind of despot.
To decide how to contextualize this information, you imagine the questions your readers might have:
- How often does the King actually dissolve Parliament?
- Why does the King have the power to dissolve Parliament?
- Can the King dissolve Parliament whenever he wants?
Here are some of the ways you could answer those questions:
- How often does the King actually dissolve Parliament? Every Parliament is dissolved by the King. By law, a Parliament can only last for a maximum of five years, but Parliament is invariably dissolved sooner. But this means that, unlike in other countries, a British general election can take place at any time of year.
- Why does the King have the power to dissolve Parliament? Traditionally, Parliament was an event rather than an institution. Kings convened them to discuss some specific matter (often involving taxation), and when that was dealt with, they would dissolve Parliament and send everyone home. In modern times, the proclamation dissolving Parliament will also call another one making Parliament a fixture of British politics. But the constitution fiction that the King is calling Parliament for some specific purpose endures.
- Can the King dissolve Parliament whenever he wants? Since Britain is now a constitutional monarchy, in practice the King will only dissolve Parliament when asked to do so by the Prime Minister. However, the King retains the power to refuse such a request in certain situations, though in practice, they’re unlikely to occur.
Of course, these aren’t encyclopedic answers and you could provide additional details depending on the needs of your audience. If you’re writing for history buffs, you could talk about how Parliament emerged from the Great Councils of the Middle Ages or how Charles I attempted to rule without Parliament in the 17th century (spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for him). On the other hand, if your readers are more interested in modern British politics, you could talk about how the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 abolished the Crown’s power to dissolve Parliament until it was repealed by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliaments Act 2022. And if you’re writing for lawyers, you could discuss whether the modern dissolution power is still a prerogative power.
A word of warning, though. Providing context doesn’t mean putting every single pertinent fact on the page. It’s essential that your context is calibrated for your readers. You won’t be able to answer every single question. Instead, focus on answering the ones that will be the most helpful to the most people.
Different types of context
Here are some of the different types of context:
Current events context. Background information about recent news, developments, or trending topics can influence how your audience interprets your message. This helps readers understand the timing and relevance of your content within the broader tapestry of current events.
Source/methodology context. Details about where your data comes from, how studies were conducted, sample sizes, timeframes, or limitations of the research you're citing. This transparency helps readers evaluate the credibility and applicability of your evidence.
Explanatory context. Additional reasoning or background that explains why something that seems counterintuitive or contradictory is actually true. This bridges the gap between common knowledge and your actual point, helping readers grasp your logic.
Definitional context. Explaining technical terms, industry jargon, acronyms, or specialized concepts that may be unfamiliar to your audience can ensure everyone can understand your message regardless of their background.
But remember, there isn’t a universal rule for contextualization. It’s highly situational as it ultimately depends on many different factors. What works for one piece might not work for another one.
Before/after examples
Before (Poorly Contextualized): “The King has the power to dissolve Parliament.”
After (Well Contextualized): "A Parliament comes to an end when it is dissolved by the King. This power is exercised by royal proclamation, and by longstanding convention, it is only exercised at the request of the Prime Minister. While the King has the power to refuse a dissolution in certain circumstances, this would only be justified in extraordinary circumstances that are unlikely to occur in practice.”
Conclusion
The ancient Egyptian scribe who recorded those perplexing proverbs about crocodiles in wigs and donkeys shaking palm trees couldn't have imagined a world where information travels at the speed of light, stripped of its original meaning. Yet the fundamental challenge remains unchanged: without proper context, even the most well-intentioned communication can mislead, confuse, or manipulate.
In our era of viral tweets and soundbite journalism, the responsibility to provide context has never been greater. Every time we share information—whether we're journalists reporting the news, educators explaining complex topics, or simply citizens participating in public discourse—we have the power to either illuminate or obscure understanding. The difference between clarity and confusion often lies not in what we say, but in how well we help others understand why it matters.
Context is more than just background information; it's the bridge between knowledge and wisdom. When we take the time to provide the right amount of context for our audience, we don't just inform—we empower others to think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
For a more practical look at contextualization, check out “The art of contextualizing: how to provide a complete understanding of complex topics.”
About the author,
José Mauricio Duque
