Final answer:
The reason an author writes about a topic is known as the author's purpose, which can range from persuading or informing to entertaining or explaining. Understanding the author's purpose helps readers connect with the content, while authors use various strategies, such as credibility and emotional appeal, to fulfill their purpose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason an author writes about a particular topic is commonly referred to as the author's purpose. The purpose of a text can be to persuade, to inform, to entertain, to describe, or to explain. Understanding the author's purpose is critical in grasping the meaning and significance of the writing. Not only does it provide clarity to the readers about the author's intentions, but it also allows readers to connect more deeply with the content.
When analyzing an author’s purpose, consider questions such as: What is the attitude of the author to their subject?, What exactly are they speaking about?, and What was their reason/rationale for creating the piece?. These considerations are especially important in a descriptive essay about a person, where the writer’s purpose is to show the reader why the chosen subject is interesting and worth reading about.
Authors establish credibility by including their credentials or expertise and may share personal experiences to enhance their authority on the subject. They also target emotional concerns and use literary devices to draw attention to their claims. For example, they might use metaphors to create a vivid image or compare two unlike elements, such as describing arguing protestors as volcanic, which appeals to the readers' senses and emotions.
Finally, every genre in writing, like novels, memoirs, or biographies, has its own narrative elements that conform to specific standards. These genres evolved due to the inherent human nature to engage in storytelling, fulfilling the purpose of sharing, teaching, entertaining, or informing.