Reading: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude: B2 Lesson 3: Understanding How Purpose Influences Text Structure and Language Choices

CEFR Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)

Target Reading Sub-skill: Recognizing Author's Tone, Purpose & Attitude

Specific Focus: Understanding How Purpose Influences Text Structure and Language Choices

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What You Will Learn

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Connect an author's purpose (to inform, entertain, persuade) to their choices of text structure.
• Analyze how an author's language choices (vocabulary, sentence types, figurative language) support their purpose.
• Identify these features in B2-level texts.

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Hello Cambodian Learners!

Why does a news report about a flood in Kampong Speu look and sound different from a traditional Khmer folktale or an advertisement for a new phone made in Cambodia? It's because the author's purpose (their reason for writing) shapes everything! The purpose influences how the text is structured (organized) and the kind of language (words and sentences) the author uses. Understanding this connection helps you become a more insightful and critical reader.

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Purpose, Structure, and Language Choices

Let's explore how common purposes affect text structure and language. Click on the text samples to hear them.

1. Purpose: To Inform

Goal: To give facts, explain something, or provide information.

Typical Structure:

• Clear introduction of the topic.
• Logical organization of information (e.g., by topic, chronological order, cause-effect).
• Use of headings and subheadings (in longer texts).
• Conclusion summarizing key information.

Typical Language Choices:

• Neutral, objective language (avoids strong opinions).
• Precise vocabulary, definitions of key terms.
• Facts, statistics, evidence.
• Clear, straightforward sentences.

Example (Informative): "The Cardamom Mountains, located in southwestern Cambodia, form one of the largest remaining rainforest areas in Southeast Asia. This region is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Asian elephants, clouded leopards, and numerous bird species. Conservation efforts are underway to protect its unique biodiversity from threats such as illegal logging and poaching."

2. Purpose: To Entertain

Goal: To amuse, tell a story, or provide enjoyment.

Typical Structure:

• Narrative structure (plot: beginning, middle, end, characters, setting).
• Dialogue between characters.
• May use chronological order for events.

Typical Language Choices:

• Descriptive language (adjectives, adverbs).
• Figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification).
• Varied sentence structures.
• May include humor, suspense, or emotional elements.

Example (Entertaining): "The old fisherman from Kampot province sighed. 'Another day, another empty net,' he thought. Suddenly, his line pulled tight! He wrestled with something huge and powerful. After a long struggle, he pulled up not a fish, but an ancient, moss-covered chest! His eyes widened with surprise."

3. Purpose: To Persuade

Goal: To convince the reader to agree with a viewpoint, take an action, or change their mind.

Typical Structure:

• Introduction with a clear claim or thesis statement.
• Body paragraphs presenting reasons and evidence to support the claim.
• May address and refute counter-arguments.
• Conclusion summarizing the argument and often including a call to action.

Typical Language Choices:

• Strong, assertive language.
• Emotive words to appeal to feelings.
• Rhetorical questions (questions asked for effect, not expecting an answer).
• Words indicating opinion or argument (e.g., "should," "must," "it is clear that").
• Evidence (facts, statistics, expert opinions) selected to support the claim.

Example (Persuasive): "Every citizen in Battambang should actively participate in local cleanup initiatives. A cleaner city not only improves public health but also enhances the beauty and attractiveness of our historic town for both residents and tourists. Don't you want a more beautiful Battambang? Join the next cleanup day this Saturday!"

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Practice Time!

Activity 1: Purpose and Its Clues

Read each short text excerpt. First, identify the author's main purpose. Then, choose a language or structural feature that helps show that purpose.

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Quick Quiz!

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Great Job!

Understanding how an author's purpose shapes their text structure and language choices is a powerful analytical skill. It allows you to read more critically and appreciate the writer's craft!

How do you feel about this lesson?

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