Anytime a writer takes up a pen or opens his word processing program, he has a particular purpose for writing.  He may not consciously name this purpose, but there is a reason that he wants to communicate. 

• A journalist may want to inform area residents about a new business coming to town.
• A novelist may want to share a fascinating story she has concocted.
• A student may want to urge the school board to change a particular school rule.
• A sick person may want to keep a journal where he can express his hopes and fears. 

In each of these situations the writer has a particular purpose for writing.  It may be to inform, to entertain, to persuade, or to express personal feelings.

In the early stages of the writing process, after selecting a topic and getting some ideas about the topic that he wants to explore, a writer should carefully reflect on the purpose of the writing.  To figure out the purpose of the writing, the writer must ask:  Why am I going to write this? 

This is one of the important pre-writing questions that help define the writing situation.  Other questions and their functions include: Who am I writing this for?  (this helps define your audience); How should I sound? (this helps define your tone); What writing medium will I use? (this helps determine the appropriate style); What written format will I use? (this helps determine the length, degree of detail, and appearance).

Understanding the purpose of writing is important for two reasons:
1.  Clarifying the purpose helps the writer to maintain a sharp focus in the writing
2.  Clarifying the purpose helps the writer to consider how to develop and organize the writing

There are several main purposes for writing, and each of these has some important features:

• Writing to inform
• Writing to entertain 
• Writing to persuade
• Writing to express feelings

Note:  It is important to remember that while a piece of writing will have a primary purpose, it may use other purposes to support the main purpose.  For example, an essay that is designed to persuade the reader to avoid eating meat (primary purpose) may inform the reader about the health problems associated with eating meat (a secondary purpose).