Study Skill 15 Writing for a Purpose

Introduction

When we read or write something, one of the first things we need to determine is the purpose of the writing.

As a reader, it's important for us to know if an author is trying to persuade us to think, say, or do something, wants to entertain us, hopes to explain or inform us about something, or aims to describe an event or place. Often, an author may have several purposes for writing--they may hope to entertain us while persuading us on a topic, or they might want to inform us in a particularly descriptive way. Once you understand the author's purpose, you know how to read the material. For instance, if you are being informed about something you want do know more about, you may need to read slowly to take in the details. However, if you are reading for entertainment, you can relax a bit and read more quickly.

As a writer, you get to decide the purpose for your piece. What do you hope readers will think, do, or say when they read your work? How would you like them respond?

When you are writing a specific assignment, the writing prompt or assignment directions usually help you determine the appropriate purpose for the topic. The grading rubric criteria can also help you determine the purpose of your writing. In a paragraph, the purpose, along with the topic, makes up the topic sentence located at the beginning of the paragraph. In an essay, the purpose is a part of the main message or thesis statement at the end of the introduction paragraph.

Four types of writing

Key Ideas

No matter what type of writing you will do, you will use Point of View to express yourself.

There are two main types of points of view, or POV.

First-Person Point of View

First-Person POV is when the main character in a fiction piece (the narrator), or when you as the author of a nonfiction piece of writing tells the story form their perspective, in their own words. This type of POV allows readers to experience the events through only one person's perspective. To create 1st-Person, you will use words such as "I," "we," "me," and "us."

For example:

We walked slowly toward the door, dreading what we might find on the other side. I could hear whispers of sounds and faint scratching noises. I was sure someone else was on the other side, waiting for us to get closer.

Third-Person Point of View

Third-Person POV is when a narrator from outside the story in a fiction piece tells the story. This POV is also used in formal nonfiction essays. The narrator or author speaks about a character or characters in the story, or the writer speaks without using the words "I," "me," or "we."

For example:

They walked slowly through the door, dreading what they might find on the other side. He could hear whispers of sounds and faint scratching noises. He was sure someone else was on the other side, waiting for them to get closer.

Sometimes, you will be able to choose which point of view you use, and other times, the assignment will require you to write in a certain type of point of view.