Purpose, audience and viewpoint

Every text is written for a reason (its purpose), for someone (its audience), and often shows what the writer thinks (their viewpoint). Asking why, who for and what the writer thinks helps you understand any text.

Key facts

  • The main purposes: to inform (give facts), to persuade (change what you think or do), to entertain (amuse or excite), to instruct (tell you how to do something).
  • Clues to the purpose: facts and numbers inform; commands and steps instruct; opinions, strong words and questions persuade; characters and events entertain.
  • The audience is who the text is for. Look at the subject, the words used and how the writer speaks to the reader: a text for young children uses short, simple sentences.
  • The viewpoint is what the writer thinks. Look for opinion words (⟦I think⟧, ⟦should⟧, ⟦best⟧, ⟦terrible⟧) and what the writer asks the reader to do.
  • A text can have more than one purpose: an advert can inform you about a product and persuade you to buy it. Ask which purpose matters most.

Worked examples

Example 1

What is the purpose? ⟦Stir the mixture for two minutes, then pour it into the tin.⟧

  1. ⟦Stir⟧ and ⟦pour⟧ are commands.
  2. The text tells you how to do something, so it instructs.

Answer: to instruct

Example 2

Who is the audience? ⟦Come and meet the baby goats! Under-fives go free!⟧

  1. Baby goats and free entry for under-fives appeal to young children.
  2. The text is aimed at families with young children.

Answer: families with young children

Example 3

What does the writer think? ⟦Plastic bottles are ruining our beaches. We must stop using them now.⟧

  1. ⟦ruining⟧ and ⟦must⟧ show a strong opinion.
  2. The writer wants people to stop using plastic bottles.

Answer: The writer thinks people should stop using plastic bottles.