Final answer:
The passage about Lexington and Concord aims to inform by providing a factual historical account of the events leading to the initial skirmishes of the American Revolutionary War. It describes the actions and reactions of both the British troops and American militia, without an overt effort to persuade the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the passage about Lexington and Concord is to inform the audience about historical events that occurred at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. The passage provides a factual account of the actions taken by both the British troops and the American militia forces on April 19, 1775. This narrative is meant to describe the historical significance of the events, the military strategies employed, and the reactions of the people involved.
In examining a historical passage, one may wonder whether the author's intention is to persuade or simply to convey information. In the provided passage, it seems clear that the intention is to recount the events leading to the clashes at Lexington and Concord. This could potentially serve as a passage for later analysis, comment, or critique, and while it sets the stage for understanding the historical context, it does not appear to overtly persuade the reader towards a particular opinion or belief. Instead, it describes a tense moment in history where a series of responses set off a chain of events leading to wider conflict.