Purpose of Non-fiction


Record Keeping


manages and stores
information and evidence

Possible formats

  • daily journals
  • blog entries
  • diaries
  • contracts
  • vital statistics
  • forms
  • letters
  • e-mails
  • historical documents

Narrative


narrates: tells stories of real life people and events

entertains: interests an audience with subject matter

Possible formats

  • autobiographies
  • biographies
  • memoirs
  • social media
  • history


Persuasive


persuades: presents reasons and evidence to convince a person to act or think in a certain way

Possible formats

  • magazine and news articles
  • travel books
  • reports
  • pamphlets
  • essays
  • speeches
  • debates


Expository


informs and explains something


Possible formats

  • menus
  • recipes
  • blueprints
  • user manuals
  • research reports

Readers and writers, speakers and listeners have in mind a purpose for a composition.

A purpose is not self-explanatory.

 
Example: One’s purpose is not to write a paragraph, give a good speech, be rewarded with a good mark, or be published.  
 

A purpose is not general; rather, it is specific.

 
Example: If the topic is Evelyn escaped, the purpose is not to explain how Evelyn escaped from a burning building. This purpose is too general and broad.  
 

A purpose is personal to the writer or speaker (who may not be the subject of the piece).

 
Example: The subject in this case is Evelyn, not oneself. Therefore, a more specific statement of purpose is to inform others of Evelyn’s bravery, persistence, or ability to avoid catastrophe while escaping from the burning building. This purpose will develop Evelyn’s character and make the writing more interesting to read. 
 



 Self-Assessment: Identifying Purpose
Click here  to complete the self-assessment.                    
One way to determine an author’s intention is to examine writing style. Compare the purpose and writing style of the blog entry and news article below:

Subject: E3 the Future Revealed

Stephan's Blog

I finally got my ticket and pass to go to the E3 Conference!  The only catch is that my Dad is going with me. Well, I’m only 14, so I guess it’s not a bad idea. I’m so excited to see the vendors! I’ll be able to see ALL the new video games before they’re even out, like the new Super Smash Bros., the new Assassin’s Creed, and more! There are 192 displays—It’s going to be a long and awesome three days!

Online News Article

E3 is a yearly conference held by the ESA (Entertainment Software Association). It is a world-famous conference, notorious for attracting top computer and video game companies and other organizations manufacturing and dealing with cutting edge entertainment technology. It is held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre and is three days long.

The blog chronicles a 14-year-old boy’s personal thoughts about an event; the news article informs or provides facts about an event.

Because the purposes of the examples are different, the writing styles are also different.  The boy’s blog uses casual or informal language while the news article uses formal language.