Final answer:
The first paragraph typically establishes the author's purpose, which could be to persuade, to inform, or to explain, among other objectives. It often demonstrates this through use of rhetorical strategies, adherence to summarizing and analyzing tasks, and inclusion of elements that draw the reader into the text. Recognizing the author's use of these techniques in Paragraph 1 will help identify the purpose in writing about Raton Pass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first paragraph of any text is crucial because it sets the stage for the author's purpose. In the context of an author's purpose, we consider whether the author is aiming to persuade, inform, entertain, describe, or explain something to the audience. For example, if the passage is discussing the significance of Raton Pass in history by providing factual details and its impact, the author's purpose might be to inform.
If the passage is arguing about the importance of preserving Raton Pass due to its historical significance, then the purpose would likely be to persuade. Additionally, how the author uses rhetorical strategies, like citing other critics' works, can guide the readers in understanding the counterargument or support for the author's interpretation, thereby showing a persuasive or informative intent.
Paragraph 1 may also reveal the author's intent by adhering to the task of summarizing, paraphrasing, explaining, analyzing, and evaluating a reading selection, as discussed in Section 1.5. If the author includes ample evidence of trying to meet or challenge conventional expectations in rhetorically effective ways, this can be a sign of a deliberate strategy to engage the audience in a specific manner. For instance, the use of dialogue and action can involve the reader and introduce the purpose vividly, whereas varied sentence structures can retain the reader's interest and underscore the author's narrative style.
Lastly, the presence of transitions and specific references like book titles or thematic elements can help readers follow the author's ideas and understand the relationship of the purpose to the overall text. The paragraph may close with a specific thesis that can underline the symbolism and themes, highlighting an analytical and explanatory purpose. Therefore, Paragraph 1 of the passage about Raton Pass should be scrutinized for these elements to understand how it conveys the author's purpose.