Identifying the purpose and intended audience of a text
Caleb Thomas
6 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This AP English Language study guide covers purpose and intended audience in texts. It defines both concepts, explains how to identify them through analyzing rhetorical choices, literary devices, tone, language, and patterns/themes, and provides practice questions (multiple-choice, free-response, and short-answer) focused on applying these skills for the exam.
#AP English Language: Purpose and Audience - Your Ultimate Guide 🚀
Welcome! This guide will help you master the art of identifying a text's purpose and intended audience. This skill is foundational for AP English Language, so let's dive in!
#What is Purpose? 🎯
The purpose is the author's reason for writing. It's the why behind the text. Think of it as the author's specific goal. Here are some common purposes:
- To inform: Presenting facts and data.
- To persuade: Convincing the reader to agree with a viewpoint or take action.
- To entertain: Providing enjoyment or amusement.
- To educate: Teaching the reader about a specific topic.
- To document: Recording events, experiences, or observations.
Understanding the purpose is crucial for analyzing a text's central idea and how rhetorical and literary devices are used to achieve that purpose. Remember, purpose = the author's intention.
#Identifying the Purpose 🤔
Here's how to uncover the author's purpose:
- Examine Rhetorical Choices: How do appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos contribute to the text's goal?
- Identify Literary Devices: How do imagery, symbolism, and characterization shape the text's impact? For example, descriptive language might aim to evoke an emotional response.
- Analyze Tone: What's the author's attitude? Is it satirical, ironic, or sincere? This can reveal their purpose.
- Look for Patterns and Themes: Do certain ideas or images rep...
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