Knowing the PURPOSE of a text

Material suitability: Age 12 and above

Knowing the purpose of a text is key to understanding the agenda of the author, which in turn determines the credibility and usefulness of the text.

1. Common Purposes: provoke, distract, gain attention/sympathy, encourage, discourage, convince, educate, advocate, promote, defend, support, diminish, urge, motivate, warn, advise, persuade, dissuade, manipulate, spread propaganda, satirise, ridicule, influence, condemn, applaud, praise, emphasise, justify, publicise, exaggerate, mislead, misguide, debunk, raise awareness, raise doubts, challenge, alert, confuse, obfuscate

2. Other Purposes: mediate, diffuse/create tension, rebel against, spur, ignite sentiments of, garner/rally, indoctrinate, accuse, irritate, brainwash, protest, spread rumours, perpetuate, incite violence, evoke responses, intimidate, threaten, deceive, seek donations, disgrace

Critical Thinking Corner:

1. Do you realise the purpose of product advertisement?

2. What is the purpose of charity advertisement?

3. Do you think that the information provided in advertisements is necessarily accurate? Useful? Relevant?