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Objective
In this lesson,
you'll learn why determining your purpose, or reasons, for writing
should be the first step in the writing process.
What is Purpose?
Why consider
your purpose for writing? More to the point, why study the purpose
for writing college papers? Isn't it enough simply to know that your
professor wants a paper, and you have to write one to pass the class?
Finding the purpose
of each writing assignment is the first step of the writing process.
Just as a builder has to start by carefully examining the blueprints
before laying the foundation of a building, a writer has to know who
he or she is writing to, what he or she is writing about, and how
he or she should approach the topic before starting to write. When
you ask yourself these questions, you're figuring out your purpose
for writing.
Actually, there
are several good reasons to think more deeply about purpose for your
writing, even for class assignments. Understanding your reasons for
writing helps you to consider the audience, or reader/s, for whom
you are writing; what main ideas you want to present; which details
are necessary; and whether you want to use a formal or informal voice.
Imagine that
you're taking a chemistry class, and the professor tells you to write
a paper about a recent lab experiment. You ask yourself:
- What kind
of paper does he want?
- To whom
should I write?
- How should
I write the paper?
Just asking these
questions suggests some answers:
- The professor
probably wants a lab report
- S/he is
my audience, or primary reader
- I should
probably write using a logical, objective voice
By having thought
out your purpose, you have a much better chance of writing something
that meets your professor's expectations.
Some Common
Purposes of Writing
There are almost
as many purposes for writing as there are writers and subjects. Some
of the common purposes for writing that you'll encounter in college
or on the job include:
- Self-expression
- Observation
- Investigation
and evaluation
- Explaining
(Exposition)
- Arguing an
academic position
- Persuasion
- Taking essay
tests
- Writing in-class
essays
- Discussing
literature
- Reporting
on science or technical issues
- Writing resumes
- Writing job
application cover and thank-you letters
In the following
lessons, we'll explore some of these common purposes for writing and
give you some tips that will help you to fulfill each of these purposes.
Summary
It is important
to know your purpose for writing in the beginning of the writing process
because it helps you to shape and mold your subject. Knowing your
purpose also saves time by guiding your approach to the subject and
audience. If you understand why you're writing and know your goals,
you're halfway to a strong piece of writing.
 
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