Purpose

This section explores the purpose for writing. The purpose of a text refers to the reason for writing. Every piece of writing has a specific aim, and understanding your purpose is crucial before you begin writing. Your purpose determines how you write, what kind of language you use, and what effect you want to have on the reader. There are many potential purposes for writing, including:

• Sharing information: You might write to inform the reader about a topic, such as in a news article or an informational brochure.
• Giving instructions: This could include writing a set of instructions on how to do something, like how to assemble furniture or bake a cake.
• Persuading someone: You might want to convince someone of your viewpoint, whether that’s in an argumentative essay or a letter to a friend.
• Promoting a product or service: In advertising or marketing, your aim would be to persuade a group of people to buy a product or service.
• Reviewing something: You may want to evaluate or review a product, service, book, or film.
• Applying for a job: Writing a cover letter or CV where the purpose is to explain why you are the best person for the position.

Before you start writing, it’s essential to think about your purpose carefully:

• What do you want your writing to achieve? Do you want to inform, entertain, persuade, or something else?
• How do you want your reader to feel after reading your work? Should they feel convinced, excited, informed, or even inspired?

Examples:

Sharing Information

If your purpose is to inform readers, such as in a scientific report or history textbook, your language should be clear and factual. For example, if you’re writing a news article about a new scientific discovery, your aim is to explain the discovery clearly, without opinion, and with objective facts. The tone would be neutral, and your structure would likely involve an introduction, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a conclusion.

Giving Instructions

When your purpose is to give instructions, clarity and precision are key. For example, if you were writing a recipe for how to bake a Victoria sponge cake, you would use imperatives (e.g., "Mix the butter and sugar until light and fluffy") and short, simple sentences to ensure the reader can easily follow the steps. Each instruction would be in the correct order, and the language would be straightforward and action-oriented.

Persuading Someone

If you are writing to persuade, your tone might vary depending on the context. If you were writing an advertisement for a new smartphone, you might want to use exciting and dynamic language to engage the reader. Phrases like "Experience the future today" or "Unleash the power of cutting-edge technology" could be used to create a sense of urgency and desire. You might also include facts and figures, such as "With a 50MP camera and 5G connectivity, it's faster than any phone on the market today."

Similarly, if you were writing a political speech aimed at persuading voters, you might use rhetorical questions (e.g., "Isn’t it time for change?"), emotive language (e.g., "A brighter future for all"), and statistics (e.g., "Over 1 million jobs created in the last five years"). These techniques would help to motivate your audience and convince them to support your cause.

Reviewing Something

If your purpose is to review something, such as a book, film, or website, your writing would be both evaluative and informative. For instance, a film review might begin with a brief summary of the plot, followed by your opinions on the performances, direction, and overall impact of the film. You would use descriptive and evaluative language (e.g., "The performances were outstanding, especially by the lead actor, who brought a depth to the role that was both poignant and powerful.") You might also recommend whether the reader should watch the film.

Job Application

When writing a cover letter or CV, your purpose is to convince the reader (usually an employer) that you are the best candidate for the job. The tone would be formal and professional, and you would highlight relevant skills, qualifications, and experiences. You might write sentences like, "With over five years of experience in digital marketing, I have developed expertise in SEO and content strategy, making me an ideal candidate for your team."

Additional Considerations

Your purpose will shape the style and tone of your writing. For example:

• If you're explaining something, your writing should be clear and logical. You would likely use simple, direct language and perhaps some examples to help clarify complex ideas.
• If you're persuading someone, you might use a more emotional tone, combined with facts and rhetorical devices (such as repetition or exaggeration) to make your argument more compelling.
• If you're reviewing something, your writing will often have a balanced tone, offering both positive and negative aspects, but still ensuring that your opinion is backed up with evidence.

In short, knowing your purpose is the first step in creating effective writing. Whether you’re instructing, informing, persuading, or reviewing, understanding what you want to achieve and how you want your reader to respond will guide your decisions about language, tone, and structure.