Final answer:
Understanding the author's purpose requires examining the context of the text, its structure, and strategies used to convey the message. Analysis of informational, argumentative, and literary elements is crucial, as is considering the author's perspective and its influence on the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
When attempting to understand the purpose behind reading a particular text, multiple factors should be examined. Firstly, basing on what the author aims to achieve with their writing is crucial. Different texts have different purposes, such as to persuade, inform, entertain, or describe. You should consider the context in which the text was created including the time, space, place, and the author's possible biases or assumptions.
Next, it is important to analyze the construction of the text itself. This includes observing the subject, tone, and overall message. The strategies and techniques that the author uses are also a point of consideration, particularly how they contribute to the effectiveness of conveying their message. Mark the text for points of agreement and disagreement, looking for strong examples and implications.
Furthermore, if the text is informational, summarization and repetition of key statements are often crucial for comprehension. In the case of argumentative texts, scrutiny of the claims, reasoning, and supporting evidence is fundamental. And for literary texts, special attention should be given to language elements and their role in developing the narrative or characters.
Ultimately, your engagement with the text should be thoughtful and critical, which includes understanding the author's perspective and how it may influence the reading. This approach allows for deeper comprehension and the ability to understand the text within a larger conversation or body of work. Remember, reading with the intent to understand the writer's purpose provides valuable insight into the written piece and enhances your overall engagement with the text.