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Purpose

C-6

In many writing situations, part of your challenge will be determining your purpose, or your reason, for writing. The wording of an assignment may suggest its purpose.

If no guidelines are given, you may need to ask yourself, “Why am I communicating with my readers?” and “What is my goal?”

Identify which one or more of the following aims you hope to accomplish.

to inform
to analyze
to persuade
to argue
to summarize
to propose
to recommend
to call readers to action
to evaluate
to change attitudes
to entertain
to request
to provoke thought
to express feelings

Exercise:

Purpose and audience