Author's Purpose

4 minQuiz at the end

Why Does Purpose Matter?

Every piece of writing is created for a reason. Understanding the author's purpose helps you read more critically and understand how the writing is shaped to achieve its goal.

The Three Main Purposes (PIE)

To Persuade

The author wants to change your opinion or make you do something.

  • Examples: advertisements, opinion columns, speeches, letters of complaint
  • Language clues: emotive language, rhetorical questions, one-sided arguments

To Inform

The author wants to give you facts or knowledge.

  • Examples: news articles, textbooks, encyclopaedias, reports
  • Language clues: factual tone, statistics, neutral language, expert sources

To Entertain

The author wants you to enjoy the writing.

  • Examples: novels, poems, short stories, humour writing
  • Language clues: engaging narrative, descriptive language, character development

Other Purposes

  • To explain — instructional texts, manuals, how-to guides
  • To describe — travel writing, nature writing, poetry
  • To argue — academic essays, debates

How to Identify Purpose

Ask:

  1. What type of text is this?
  2. What kind of language is used?
  3. Who is the intended audience?
  4. What response does the writer want from me?

Remember: many texts have more than one purpose — a charity campaign might both inform and persuade.