Final answer:
Shifting from dialogue to description changes the purpose of a text by creating a more vivid setting, focusing on the atmosphere, and allowing deeper reflection on characters' internal states.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the author of a selection had relied more heavily on description rather than on dialogue, the purpose of the selection would likely shift towards creating a more vivid and immersive world for the reader. Description allows the author to paint a more detailed picture of the setting, characters, and mood, using descriptive diction and sensory detail to engage a reader's imagination.
For instance, the text might transition from illustrating character development and interactions through dialogue to focusing on the atmosphere or the internal thoughts and emotions of the characters. Furthermore, a change from dialogue to description could affect the pace of the narrative, often slowing it down to allow deeper thought and reflection.
Thus, while dialogue can quicken the pace and provide real-time interactions, a descriptive approach leaves room for readers to interpret and analyze the story's elements more heavily based on the author's detailed narration.