Reading: comprehension
Reading: why the writer wrote it
Work out why a piece was written and who it was written for, and say what a particular sentence in it is doing.
Every piece of writing was written for a reason. Somebody wanted you to do something, or believe something, or be able to do something afterwards that you could not do before. Finding that reason is a reading skill in its own right, and it is not the same as finding what the piece is about.
The four commonest purposes
To inform — here are the facts. To instruct — here is how to do it. To persuade — come and agree with me. To entertain — here is a story worth your evening. Most pieces have one main purpose, and everything in them serves it.
Read the sentences, not your own opinion
Purpose is a fact about the text, not a guess about the writer. A piece full of instructions — Boil the water. — is instructing you, whatever else you may think of it. Look at what the sentences actually do — the sentence types narrow the field, and the ending decides it.
The same question works one level down. Ask not only why the whole piece was written, but why one particular sentence is in it. A number is usually there to make a point feel solid. A short sharp sentence at the end is usually there to leave you with something. A time and a place are usually there because the writer wants you to turn up.
Who is it for?
The audience is written into the piece whether the writer meant it or not. Meet at the east gate assumes you already know where that is — so it was written for people nearby. Nine out of ten dentists say so assumes you can be won over by a number, so it was written to sell you something.
Worked example
Why was this written? "Do not lean out of the window. Passengers who lean out risk serious injury. Offenders will be fined."
Look at the sentence types: one instruction, one statement, one statement about a consequence.
Counting the kinds of sentence is the fastest way in, and it needs no opinion at all.
Try it together
Let us take one short piece apart together.
The piece: "Our school gate opens onto a road with no crossing. Last month two children were nearly knocked down there. On Saturday we are taking a signed letter to the town office. Add your name at the school library desk."
1.Count the sentences that tell the reader to do something. Write the number as a word.
Have a go
"Rinse the brush in cold water. Do not use hot water, which loosens the glue." Why was this written?
Ready to practise?
Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.