In this section of our ParaPro Study Guide, we will look at the goals behind a piece of writing. Who is a piece being written to or for? Why did the author write this? What is their purpose?
Author’s Purpose
It is important for students to know an author’s purpose for two reasons: they need to accurately evaluate the writing they encounter and they must be able to produce their own writings appropriate to a given situation.
The following are the main purposes you will encounter in the classroom and on the ParaPro Exam:
- To inform. The author wants to give the reader information about something without taking a side. Essays meant to inform are called expository essays.
- To describe. The author wants to paint a picture of a specific person, place, or thing (e.g. describing a famous building or landmark in detail).
- To entertain. The author wants to tell an engaging story and create a mood. Most fiction writing is to entertain. An essay meant to entertain is called a narrative essay.
- To persuade. The author wants to construct an argument that convinces the reader to agree or take their side. Essays with this purpose are called, of course, persuasive essays.
The ParaPro Exam will likely provide you with a passage and ask you to determine the author’s purpose.
Audience
The exam may also ask you to consider a piece’s audience. Audience refers to the ideal reader of a piece or the type of person an author has in mind when writing. The ideal audience may be of a certain age, political persuasion, interest group, or other demographic.
The audience and the author’s purpose go hand in hand. If an author wants to write a short story to entertain, then they must decide what age they are writing to, as a picture book with a simple story is not likely to entertain many adults. On the other hand, if an author is writing a persuasive essay, their ideal audience isn’t going to be those that agree with them. If the author wants to persuade people to adopt a plant-based diet, their work will not accomplish their goal if it is only read by people who already eat plant-based.
The following example is similar to questions you may find on the ParaPro Exam.
Example 1
One of the most important ways to represent your country is by voting. It gives you a voice in the democratic process and allows you to influence the direction of your city, state, and country. Too many people say one person’s vote doesn’t make a difference, but if everyone felt this way, no one would vote. Every vote matters. Plus, making your feelings known on a ballot gives you a sense of pride and freedom. So come this November, be sure to head to your local precinct and vote in the upcoming election.
What kind of audience would the writer be trying to persuade?
- those who want to get involved in politics and want more information on the ballot topics
- those who may be on the fence about whether or not to vote in the upcoming election
- those who are thinking about volunteering their time at a local precinct or a campaign
- those who want to know what the inside of a voting precinct looks like
The correct answer is (B). All options refer to some kind of a political audience, but option (B) makes the most sense, as that is the audience that would be most directly influenced by what the author has to say. This is a persuasive essay, and thus the author’s purpose is to change the audience’s mind and convince the audience to agree with the author’s stance or perspective. The author does not talk about the inner workings of elections or tell readers to volunteer; they only discuss voting.
You should now have a strong understanding of the different purposes that motivate an author’s writing, as well as the different audiences a writer is intending to speak to. Test your knowledge with our 3-question review below.