How can you identify the author’s purpose in a nonfiction text?

• A. Look for cues such as thesis or purpose statements, evidence, structure, and tone that reveal whether the author aims to inform, persuade, or describe
• B. The author's personal hobbies determine the purpose
• C. The length of the article dictates the purpose
• D. The presence of illustrations alone reveals the purpose

Answer: (A)

Identifying the author's purpose comes from reading for how the text is built and voiced. Look for a clear thesis or stated aim, the kind of evidence used, how the piece is organized, and the tone. These cues reveal whether the writer intends to inform, persuade, or describe. For example, a text that presents facts, data, and explanations to help you understand a topic is aiming to inform. One that uses arguments, evidence, and calls to action to convince you of a point is aiming to persuade. A piece that uses vivid details and sensory language to depict a subject without arguing a position tends to aim to describe.

The other ideas don’t reliably indicate purpose. A writer’s personal hobbies don’t determine why the text exists. The length of the article doesn’t decide what the author wants you to do with the information. The presence of illustrations alone doesn’t reveal purpose, since visuals can accompany informational, persuasive, or descriptive writing.