Question

Which strategy can help you determine an author’s purpose for writing a literary work?

Read critical reviews of the work, scanning for the term “author’s purpose.”

Write a letter to the author asking what his or her purpose was for writing the work.

Analyze how various literary elements work together to send a message.

Study another literary work in the same genre and make comparisons.

Answer 1

The most effective strategy to determine an author’s purpose for writing a literary work is to **analyze how various literary elements work together to send a message**. This involves closely examining aspects such as theme, character development, plot structure, tone, and literary devices. By understanding how these elements contribute to the overall meaning of the work, you can gain insights into the author’s intentions and message.

While reading critical reviews may provide some insights, they often reflect the opinions of others rather than a direct understanding of the author's purpose. Writing a letter to the author may not yield a response or clear answer, and comparing with another work can provide context but may not directly reveal the author's specific intentions for the work in question. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the literary elements is the best approach.