What does an author's purpose refer to?

An author's purpose is fundamentally about the reason behind creating a piece of writing. This encompasses the motivations driving the author, whether it be to inform, persuade, entertain, or express feelings and ideas. Understanding an author's purpose allows readers to grasp the intended message, tone, and effectiveness of the work. For instance, if the purpose is to persuade, readers might look for arguments and appeals to emotion.

Though the other options present relevant aspects of writing, they do not directly define the overarching intention behind a text. The style of writing refers to the particular way in which an author conveys their message, but it does not illuminate why the author chose to write in that style. The use of figurative language enhances the richness of the text but is merely a tool employed in conveying the author's purpose. The intended audience is crucial in understanding how the purpose is tailored but does not encompass the essential reason why the text was created. Overall, recognizing the author’s purpose is key to fully engaging with and interpreting a literary work.