Think of it as the "what" of the message.
For example:
* Sentence: "The cat sat on the mat."
* Content level of meaning: A feline animal was sitting on a piece of floor covering.
Here's how it contrasts with other levels of meaning:
* Formal level of meaning: Focuses on the grammatical structure and vocabulary used in the text.
* Expressive level of meaning: Deals with the speaker's attitude, emotions, and personality.
* Pragmatic level of meaning: Considers the context of the text and the intended meaning beyond the literal words.
Content level of meaning is important because:
* It forms the foundation for understanding other levels of meaning.
* It allows us to identify the basic information being conveyed.
* It's crucial for accurate communication and interpretation.
In summary: Content level of meaning is the literal, factual information conveyed by a text, providing the foundation for understanding the message. It's the basic "what" of the communication.