What does an author's purpose entail?

An author's purpose is fundamentally about understanding why a piece of text was created in the first place. It reflects the intent behind the writing, which can include persuading the reader, informing them, entertaining, or expressing feelings. Recognizing the author's purpose helps readers engage more deeply with the content, allowing for a better appreciation of the themes, messages, and techniques employed by the author.

While elements like setting and context (which relate to the background and environment of the text) are important for understanding a story, they do not capture the underlying reason the author chose to write the text. Target audience considerations focus on who the text is aimed at rather than the motivation behind the writing itself. Similarly, summarizing the entire text involves condensing its content rather than exploring the intent or thought process that guided the author’s creation. Therefore, understanding the author's purpose significantly enhances a reader's comprehension and interaction with the material.