What IS background knowledge?

Question

i am reading a book called 'tangerine' and one of our assignments were connecting with the book. there ae six ways to connect, only 2 of whci i don not understand. background knowledge and prior experience. i mean i get WHAT it is, but i don't understand how i am supposed to use this to connect with the book. thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Background information is information outside of the story that is given to you. For example you might look up in a family medical book about the definition of legally blind.

Prior experience would be what you already knew about things in the story such as perhaps you already know someone that is blind or has difficulty seeing. You might already know someone that moved to a new town, or maybe you have yourself.

Answer 2

let me rephrase your question to see if I can answer it;
"I am reading a book called "Tangerine" and one of our assignments is to connect with the book. There are six ways to connect, only two of which I do not understand; background knowledge and prior experience. I get WHAT these things are, but I don't understand how to use this to connect with the book. Thanks for your help.

Well, your background knowledge helps you to connect with books or prevents you from doing so. For example, you read this book, which I assume is a novel, and you must have understood the plot etc. or you would be answering questions. Your background knowledge (ie what you already knew before you read this book) informed your ability to read and understand this book. Lets try another approach. Let's say youwere to read a very technical book, say a physics book from a postgraduate programme. Clearly, you will understand a lot of the words in the book, but your lack of background knowledge re; physics will prevent you from 'connecting.'
Prior experience is an offshoot of background knowledge.
hope this helps

Answer 3

Background knowledge is almost the same as prior experience. It just means that maybe that is someone's speciality, because they have dealt with it time after time.

I have never read the book Tangerine, but I hope it all comes together for you.

Good luck Hon!

Answer 4

I haven't read the book..'Tangerine"...but it sounds like they are trying to get you to connect with the book, by using knowledge you have learned by a similar real life experience.....Background knowledge is also called, groundwork...so if you have not had a similar experience, read something else that can tell you about it, then go back and connect with the book, as you will have some..background knowledge.......hope this made sense to you and helps...(7 years exp..journo).......

Answer 5

These love poems by Alexander have been reviewed here on the Internet. I searched for "Book Review-TANGERINE" and found the review. I would suggest, and I am no expert, but I did minor in Literature in undergraduate college, that "background knowledge" in this context refers to your prior readings of similar poems or expressions or actual experiences in your personal life where you personally used or heard of such expressions as Alexander used being used by others. Also, how you feel about it.

Answer 6

background knowledge is a working knowledge from an experienced person. For example, you wouldn't ask a football coach to describe how to prepare for a baseball game.