AUTHOR/ WRITER’S

PURPOSE
Reasons for writing
SES. 3 – CRITICAL READING DEUIS SUGARYAMAH

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Author’s purpose is the reason the author wrote the texts
 THREE MAIN Purposes
TO PERSUADE
01
TO INFORM
02

TO ENTERTAIN
03

Every text serves one of this purposes as

it’s primary goal
 Writing to Persuade
The MAIN purpose is to
CONVINCE readers
For examples: TO
CONVINCE
1 Persuasive Essays READERS

2 Persuasive Speeches

3 Persuasive Letters or Notes

Persuasive writing attempts to change the readers’

mind or get them to do something.
 Writing to Inform
The main purpose is to
enlighten the readers
For examples: TO
ENLIGHTEN/
1 INFORM
Expository essays READERS

2 Non-fiction text

3 Instructions or Directions

Informational texts maybe entertaining, but the main

purpose is to inform.
 Writing to Entertain
The main purpose is to
amuse readers
For examples:
TO AMUSE
1 READERS
Stories

2 Poems

3 Plays

You may learn something from a story, but the main

purpose is to entertain
Identifying author’s purpose
1. Is the text story, poem or plays?
If “Yes” = entertain, if “no” = go to next

2. Does the text mainly give facts and info?

If “yes” = inform, if “No” = go to next

3. Does the text make arguments?

If “Yes” = persuade. If “No” = go to next.
Example Questions to Ask a Text
 • What is the topic/ subject
matter of the text?
GUIDING
• Who is the writer and to

CRITICAL whom this text is

directed?

QUESTIONS

• Where is the position of the writer towards the subject matter?

• Whose voice is silenced/ heard here and why?

• Do you agree with
• What information is missing from the text? the claims made in
this text? Why or
• Whose interests are served in the text and whose are not? why not?

• What does the text want you to? PURPOSE? • What is your final
judgment towards
the text?
Practice 1: Applying the Critical Questions to the text.

Do practice on applying some critical questions on the text entitled: Why Own a 4WD !!

Critical Thinking Questions are:

• What problems or issues are raised?

• What is the author’s purpose? What the text wants you to do?
• Who is the author and to whom this text is directed?
• How is the author thinking about the world? (Where is the position of the writer towards
the subject matter?)
• Whose voice is silenced/ heard here and why? (Whose interests are served in the text
and whose are not?)
• What information is missing from the text?
• Do you agree with the claims made in this text? Why or why not?
• What is your final judgment towards the text?
Why Own a 4WD
Intelligent people know there are several good reasons why everybody should own a four-
wheel drive. They are:
• You pay less tax.
• You can see further down the road, but those behind you can’t see ahead at all.
• You can feel you are really someone when you are up above everybody else.
• If you crash into an ordinary car, you are less likely to be hurt.
• You can pretend that you are actually going somewhere on weekends when you’re just
going to the shops.
• You can show you despise greenies and energy-conservers, by using twice as much fuel as
they do.
• Although there are no bulls or roos in the area, you can have a grate attached to the front
of your Urban Assault Vehicle for protection against pedestrians.
• Everyone knows they cost a lot.
• If you reverse over someone, you won’t notice

(cited from McGregor, 2002, p. 04).

Thank you
@dissoeg