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Authors Purpose
An authors purpose is simply his or her
reason for writing.
Common purposes include:
--to inform (to give information)
--to instruct (to explain how to do something)
--to persuade (to convince readers to do or believe
something)
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
Authors Tone
Tone refers to the authors use of words
and writing style to convey his or her
attitude towards a topic.
If you misinterpret the tone (such as sarcasm), you
may misinterpret the message.
Tone and purpose go together.
Ask yourself what the authors voice would sound
like if he or she had spoken the words rather than
written them.
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
The Edge:
Pointers from the Coach
Understanding the authors purpose, tone, point of view, and
intended audience are complementary skills. Understanding
one skill helps you understand the others.
If you think the purpose is to inform, think about whether
there is a more precise way to describe it. (For example, if it
informs you about how to do something, call it instruct.)
Authors sometimes state their purpose.
Authors point of view is also called the authors argument.
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and
Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and