Writer’s Purpose (AQA GCSE English Language): Revision Notes
Writer's purpose
What is writer's purpose?
When authors sit down to write, they don't just put words on paper without reason. Every piece of writing has a specific goal or intention behind it. The writer's purpose refers to the main reason why a text has been created - essentially, what the author is hoping to accomplish with their writing.
Understanding why something was written helps you as a reader to better analyse and respond to texts, especially in your GCSE exams. Writers choose their language, structure, and techniques based on what they want to achieve.
Recognising the writer's purpose is like having a roadmap to understanding the text. It helps you predict what techniques the writer might use and how they'll structure their ideas to achieve their goal.
The four main purposes of writing
Most texts fall into one of four main categories when it comes to their purpose. Each purpose has its own characteristics and uses different approaches to connect with readers.
To argue or persuade
When writers want to convince you of something, they're using their text to argue or persuade. These texts aim to change your mind or get you to agree with a particular viewpoint.
Key characteristics of persuasive writing: Writers achieving this purpose will:
- Share their personal opinions and viewpoints
- Try to get readers to agree with their perspective
- Use persuasive language and techniques
- Present evidence or reasoning to support their arguments
Common Examples of Persuasive Writing:
- Newspaper editorials arguing for policy changes
- Political speeches during election campaigns
- Advertisement copy trying to sell products
- Opinion pieces in magazines
To advise
Advisory texts are designed to help readers take action or make decisions. The writer wants to guide you through a process or give you useful information to help you do something.
Key characteristics of advisory writing: Writers achieving this purpose will:
- Provide practical help for readers
- Give clear instructions or guidance
- Use directive language (telling you what to do)
- Focus on being helpful rather than entertaining
This purpose is common in instruction manuals, self-help books, or advice columns.
To inform
When the main goal is to increase your knowledge or understanding about a topic, the writer's purpose is to inform. These texts focus on sharing factual information and helping readers learn.
Key characteristics of informative writing: Writers achieving this purpose will:
- Share facts and information about a subject
- Help readers develop better understanding
- Use clear, straightforward language
- Focus on accuracy and completeness
You'll see this purpose in textbooks, encyclopaedias, news reports, and educational websites.
To entertain
Entertainment-focused writing aims to provide enjoyment and engage readers emotionally. The writer wants you to have a pleasant and engaging experience while reading.
Key characteristics of entertaining writing: Writers achieving this purpose will:
- Create enjoyable reading experiences
- Make readers feel emotions (happiness, excitement, suspense)
- Use engaging language and storytelling techniques
- Focus on reader enjoyment above all else
This purpose is found in novels, short stories, comedy sketches, and magazine features.
Texts with multiple purposes
Many texts don't stick to just one purpose - they often combine several. For example, a biographical text might both inform readers about someone's life and entertain them with interesting stories.
When you encounter texts with multiple purposes, it's important to identify all of them and understand how they work together. In your exams, you should consider what the writer is trying to achieve and how they're going about it. Sometimes one purpose might be more prominent than others, but recognising the combination helps you give a more complete response.
Exam strategies for identifying purpose
When tackling exam questions about writer's purpose, follow these helpful approaches:
Essential Exam Strategy: Read texts carefully and think about what the writer is trying to achieve and how they're doing it. Pay attention to the language choices, tone, and overall approach the writer takes.
Watch out for exam questions that specifically ask about the writer's purpose. For instance, if a question asks about how a writer uses language to influence readers, you can deduce that the purpose involves persuasion.
Look for clues in the text itself - the vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall approach will give you hints about the writer's intentions. The way a writer constructs their sentences and chooses their words is directly linked to what they're trying to achieve.
Purpose in non-fiction texts
Non-fiction texts usually make their purpose quite clear. The writer's intentions are typically more obvious because these texts deal with real-world topics and practical matters.
Clear Purpose in Non-Fiction: If you're reading a speech where someone is presenting a clear argument about a controversial topic, the persuasive purpose becomes very apparent through the language choices and structure used.
However, some non-fiction texts can be less obvious about their purpose. A magazine article might primarily aim to entertain readers, but it could also be trying to argue a particular point of view. The entertaining tone might make the persuasive purpose less obvious at first glance.
Purpose in fiction texts
Fiction texts often have entertainment as their most obvious purpose, but many fictional works use entertainment to achieve additional goals. Writers might create an engaging story on the surface while also wanting to argue their own viewpoint or inform readers about important issues.
Many fictional stories contain deeper messages beyond just entertainment. The writer might use an entertaining narrative to argue their perspective or inform readers about social issues, historical events, or human nature.
When analysing fiction, look beyond the surface story to identify any additional purposes the writer might have. Consider what themes, messages, or ideas the writer is exploring through their characters and plot.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Writer's purpose is the reason why a text was written and what the author hopes to achieve
- The four main purposes are: to argue/persuade, to advise, to inform, and to entertain
- Many texts combine multiple purposes, so look for all of them in your analysis
- Non-fiction texts typically make their purpose more obvious than fiction texts
- In exams, pay attention to language choices and techniques as clues to the writer's purpose
- Understanding purpose helps you respond more effectively to comprehension and analysis questions