Contextualization

There are two primary criteria that make up Contextualization:

Framing:
The framing criterion is the broader umbrella within contextualization. Framing often occurs within the introduction and thesis statement. Framing incorporates any information relevant to the entire paper, versus context, relevant to a specific evidence chunk. Does the author include only the basic frame (novel, historical event) or is the argument framed within the greater discourse of historical ideas and movements?

Context:
Context is more specific and concrete than framing; it refers to the background information around the evidence chunks. Does the author set up the reader with enough background information for the paragraphs to be read smoothly and cohesively?

Download the PDF

Click Numbers to View Standard Bearers
Framing
Context

- Makes no attempt to frame the text or content.
- Provides one piece of framing about the text or content (eg title, author, or setting).
- Provides some general framing about the text or the content (eg title, author, or setting).
- Attempts to provide reasonable background of the text and content.
- Provides mostly reasonable background of the text and content.
- Provides primarily accurate, general background of the text and content.
- Provides primarily accurate, general background of text/ content.
- Attempts to frame the larger argument.
- Provides clear, sufficient background information of text/content.
- Presents the larger frame of the argument.

- May attempt to provide context that is inaccurate, random, or confusing.
- Provides accurate context to at least one piece of evidence.
- Provides necessary context to some evidence although it may be rough or missing in some places.
6th and 7th Grade
- Provides necessary context to most evidence presented, although it may be rough in some places.
- Smoothly and mostly judiciously incorporates accurate basic background information about almost all of evidence.
- Smoothly and judiciously incorporates accurate basic background information about almost all evidence.
- Context may hint at interpretation.

Middle School Writing Rubric Bird's Eye View