When Authors Have More Than One Purpose

Many texts mix purposes, but one is usually the main one.

Real texts often blend purposes. A funny story might also teach a lesson. A science article might include a joke to keep readers interested. An ad might share facts to convince you. When purposes mix, ask: 'What is the author mainly trying to do? ' Consider this passage: 'Captain Comet zoomed past Saturn. 'Those rings are made of chunks of ice and rock,' she told her robot co-pilot.

'Some pieces are tiny like grains of sand, and some are as big as houses! '' There's a character and an adventure, which entertain. But the dialogue is packed with real facts about Saturn's rings, so the author also informs. Here, the story is a fun wrapper for facts, so the main purpose is to inform in an entertaining way. Name the main purpose, and mention the others.

• 1Texts can have more than one purpose.
• 2Ask what the author is mainly trying to do.
• 3Stories can deliver facts, and ads can include facts.