Purposes - Summary:
Summary:
If the primary focus is on using language to entertain, the purpose is literary. Poetry, novels, plays, songs, movies, and even the comics are examples of literary writing.
If the primary focus is on the writer’s personal experiences, the purpose if expressive. Journals, diaries, letters to the editor, gripe sessions, protests, personal essays, and travel logs are examples of expressive writing.
If the primary focus is to convince the reader of something, the purpose is persuasive. Political speeches, editorials, sermons, and advertising are examples of persuasive writing.
If the primary focus is to provide information, the purpose if referential. Magazines, journals, encyclopedias, textbooks, newspapers, and interviews are examples of referential writing.
Here’s a creative way to remember the purposes and their characteristics.
L |
E |
P |
R |
Literary
to entertain |
Expressive
to reveal self |
Persuasive
to convince |
Referential
to inform |
TALe |
VESS |
EAR |
VOTe |
LEPR = The TALe that VESS told burned my EARs, but it made me want to VOTe for her. |