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All 10 Flashcards — Purpose
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Question
What is purpose?
Answer
The job a text is trying to do — persuade, inform, instruct, entertain, warn or reflect.
Question
Name three common purposes.
Answer
Any of: persuade/sell, inform, instruct, entertain, reflect, warn.
Question
Why name the purpose early?
Answer
It gives your analysis a target — read every choice as serving that job.
Question
What's the key question to ask of each choice?
Answer
'Why did the writer do this — how does it help the job?'
Question
Can a text have more than one purpose?
Answer
Yes — one main purpose, often a secondary one that helps it (e.g. humour to persuade).
Question
What is the main purpose of an advert?
Answer
To persuade / sell.
Question
What is the purpose of a recipe or safety notice?
Answer
To instruct.
Question
How does knowing purpose help your marks?
Answer
Every point ties back to the job, so your analysis is focused (Criterion C) and about effect (Criterion B).
Question
A funny advert: what is its main purpose?
Answer
To persuade — the humour is a secondary purpose serving it.
Question
Should you name the purpose, then forget it?
Answer
No — link each choice back to the purpose as you go.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Purpose
Topic 1.1 hub
Understanding Analysis
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English A Lang & Lit exam skills
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