What strategy helps you determine whether a text is primarily informative or persuasive?

• A. Look for a shift in purpose and the presence of persuasive language or calls to action
• B. The color of headings
• C. The font size of headings
• D. The number of quotes used

Answer: (A)

The main idea this item tests is how to tell if a text is trying to inform or persuade by examining the author’s aim and the language used. When a text is primarily informative, it sticks to facts, explanations, definitions, and neutral descriptions. If the piece also tries to shape what you believe or make you act, you’ll notice a shift in purpose and language that argues a point or urges action. The clearest signal is the presence of persuasive language or calls to action, which show the author is aiming to persuade rather than just inform. Design elements like heading color, font size, or how many quotes appear don’t reliably reveal the text’s aim since they’re about layout choices, not the writer’s intent.