Final answer:
The author's purpose in the passage is to discuss persuasive techniques and analyze the strategies used by writers to influence and persuade readers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best characterization of the author's purpose in the passage can be inferred from the provided context and information. After analyzing the given details, it appears that the passage is focused on discussing persuasive techniques and the strategies used by writers to influence and persuade readers. The author's purpose is to educate and analyze these strategies in order to help readers develop their own writing identity. This aligns with option B, where the author is persuading readers to take action in terms of incorporating persuasive strategies into their own work.