Final answer:
A formative critique's purpose is to provide feedback to authors to help them improve their writing. It is a part of the revision process where authors use feedback, aligned with critical and cultural perspectives, to refine their work before final submission.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of a formative critique is B. To provide feedback to the author to help them improve their work. Formative critiques serve as a tool to guide authors through the writing process by offering constructive criticism and valuable insights regarding their draft. These critiques focus on numerous aspects of the work such as structure, argumentation, and clarity. The feedback obtained aims to enhance the writing before it reaches its final form. It is important for the author to evaluate their work against the assignment rubric, to understand the audiences' response to their rhetorical choices, and to make necessary revisions based on the evaluations.
Aside from aiding in the improvement of the work, formative critiques also mirror the process that professional critics like Willa Paskin engage in. They not only review subjects but also analyze their cultural significance, offering guidance to audiences about how to view and understand the work within its broader cultural context. This exemplifies the larger educational value of critiques, which is not merely to judge but to analyze, evaluate, and advise from a place of expertise and constructive intention. Such feedback is a valuable educational instrument because it mirrors the multifaceted responsibilities of professional critics.