Text, Audience and

Purpose
What am I writing?
Who am I writing for?
Why am I writing?
Text
 What is a text?
 Text refers to the type of text you are being

asked to write e.g. Letter, story, magazine

article etc.
 They all have particular features and you

need to remember these to do well.

 For instance, if you write a letter, it shouldn't

read like a Harry Potter story. Also, your

English coursework shouldn't be written like a
text message.
Audience
 Audience is who you are writing for.
 This may be teenagers, adults or even children.
 It helps to put yourself in your audience's point

of view - so for example, if you are writing a

letter informing parents about a school trip, it is
likely that parents will want to know about cost,
safety and key facts such as times and places.
 Writing for adults doesn't necessarily mean you

have to use long or complicated words - just

make sure your writing is clear, sensible and
interesting.
Purpose
 Purpose refers to the point of the text and
what it is aiming to do.
 Persuasive texts often encourage readers to

buy something, or back a particular cause

(e.g. charity) so they need to use informative
and emotive language. Whereas an
entertainment text is likely to be more light-
hearted.
 Think about the reasons WHY you write?
Examples
 The following article has appeared in your local
paper:
 Park or car park?
 Ashfield Park is threatened with closure next month
as a local business has applied for planning
permission to turn the area into a car park. Local
residents have begun a fierce campaign to save the
park, which is a popular walking spot for young
children and the elderly, as well as home to the War
Memorial and many wildlife species.

 What is the TAP?

Answer
 Text - a letter to a paper.
 Audience - it's for local people
 Purpose - it's to argue and persuade. This

means you want to influence other people

and tell them what you think is right