What Is Social Context in Literature?

Social context in literature refers to the social norms that exist in the time period during which a text is set. They encompass the class structures, gender roles, cultural expectations and societal issues that influence the characters, plot and themes of a novel. 

This two-page graphic organizer has been designed by the Teach Starter team to help students explore social context clues while reading. Its unique design contains clearly structured spaces and guiding prompts, allowing students to consider how people thought, lived and interacted at the time in which the story is set.

Some of the prompts on this social context in literature graphic organizer include:

• What groups or communities do the characters belong to?
• Who makes the rules or holds influence in society? Who has less voice or freedom?
• What rules or expectations would be unusual or unfair today?
• How are the characters’ lives shaped by the society in which they live?
• Why do you think the author chose to show this kind of society?

If your students are reading a novel that focuses on societal issues, social class dynamics or challenging societal expectations, then this graphic organizer is for you! It will encourage your students to think critically about the influence of social norms within a story and how they can shape characters, storylines and themes. 

Ways to Explore Social Context in Literature in the Classroom

This two-page graphic organizer is an excellent tool for sparking meaningful conversations about how social context shapes literary texts. Here are some ideas for using this resource in your ELA lessons:

• Pre-reading conversation starter – Use the graphic organizer to introduce students to the kinds of social norms, issues or expectations that were common at the time the novel was set.
• Context analysis scaffold –  Encourage students to fill in the different sections of the graphic organizer as they come across clues in the story about class structures, gender roles, cultural expectations and societal issues.
• Cross-curricular links – Pair a novel with a history or social studies unit to explore how real historical or cultural circumstances are reflected in fiction, e.g. how migration has shaped American society and how attitudes have changed over time.

Download This Social Context in Literature Graphic Organiser

Use the dropdown arrow on the Download button to choose between the editable Google Slides file or the easy-print PDF. Please note that you will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file.

For sustainability purposes, please consider printing this two-page resource double-sided.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher in Florida and a Teach Starter collaborator.

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