What Is the Purpose of This Passage?
The purpose of a passage is the reason why the author wrote it. It is important to be able to identify the purpose of a passage in order to understand the author’s message and to be able to answer questions about the passage.
There are three main purposes of writing: to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.
To inform means to provide information about a topic. Informational passages can be found in textbooks, encyclopedias, news articles, and other sources of factual information.
To persuade means to convince the reader to believe or do something. Persuasive passages can be found in advertising, political speeches, and other forms of advocacy.
To entertain means to amuse or interest the reader. Entertaining passages can be found in fiction, poetry, and other forms of creative writing.
In addition to these three main purposes, there are other possible purposes for writing, such as to:
- Instruct the reader how to do something
- Describe a person, place, or thing
- Analyze a concept or idea
- Evaluate something
- Argue for a point of view
How to Identify the Purpose of a Passage
There are a few things you can look for to help you identify the purpose of a passage.
- Consider the title and introduction. These often give you a clue about the author’s purpose.
- Think about the main idea of the passage. What is the author trying to communicate?
- Pay attention to the author’s tone and style. Is the author trying to be objective or subjective? Is the author using humor or pathos?
- Consider the audience for the passage. Who is the author writing for?
Questions to Ask About the Purpose of a Passage
Here are some questions you can ask to help you identify the purpose of a passage:
- What is the author trying to communicate?
- What is the main idea of the passage?
- What evidence does the author provide to support the main idea?
- What is the tone and style of the passage?
- Who is the author writing for?
Examples of Passages with Different Purposes
Here are some examples of passages with different purposes:
Informational passage:
The average human heart beats about 100,000 times a day. It pumps about 5 liters of blood per minute, which is about 7,500 liters per day. The heart is a muscle that is about the size of a fist. It is located in the chest, just below the sternum.
Persuasive passage:
We need to take action to protect the environment. Climate change is a serious threat that is already causing devastating effects around the world. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy. We also need to protect our forests and other natural resources.
Entertaining passage:
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who lived in a castle. She had everything she could ever want, but she was not happy. She longed for adventure and excitement. One day, a handsome prince came to the castle. He told the princess stories of his travels and his many daring deeds. The princess was immediately smitten. She and the prince fell in love and were soon married. They lived happily ever after.
Conclusion
Being able to identify the purpose of a passage is an important skill for students and adults alike. It can help you understand the author’s message, answer questions about the passage, and write more effective passages yourself.