Final answer:
Readers establish a purpose for reading to focus their attention, foster critical thinking, and efficiently link new information to existing knowledge. A clear purpose aids in annotating effectively and comprehending the author's intent. It is vital across various genres from philosophical texts to literature and historical documents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Readers should establish a purpose when reading a text to enhance their understanding, engage critically with the material, and efficiently assimilate information. The purpose can be to inform, persuade, entertain, describe, or explain. By doing so, the reader can focus their attention and interpret the text effectively, leading to a deeper comprehension of the author's message and themes. Identifying a purpose also helps in linking new information with prior knowledge, fostering critical thinking, and enhancing one's reading and writing skills. Moreover, with a defined purpose, readers can use annotation tools more effectively, creating visual trails for easy tracking, understanding the argument's flow, and saving time when searching for specific information or quotes.
For example, understanding philosophical texts requires identifying the sequence of ideas and arguments, prompting readers to cross-reference passages and engage thoughtfully with the content. This differs from reading literature for aesthetic enjoyment or reading historical texts that require context and background knowledge. Regardless of the genre, establishing a purpose enables readers to address the essential questions about an author's intentions, enduring cultural questions and conflicts, and the varied interpretations that may arise from a single piece of literature.