Text organisation and writer's purpose

Introduction: Cracking the Code of Reading

Have you ever read a text and felt like you understood the words, but weren't quite sure what the writer was trying to achieve? Or maybe you felt lost in a long paragraph? Reading is more than just knowing vocabulary; it is about understanding how a text is built and why it was written in the first place.

In this chapter, we will look at Writer's Purpose (the "Why") and Text Organisation (the "How"). Mastering these skills will help you navigate news reports, advertisements, manuals, and stories much faster, which is a key part of your M.4–6 English curriculum.

Part 1: Identifying the Writer’s Purpose

Every time someone writes something—whether it is a text message, a news article, or a poem—they have a goal. In English exams, we often categorise these goals into a few main types. A simple way to remember them is the P.I.E. method (with a few extra slices!).

1. To Persuade (โน้มน้าวใจ)

The writer wants to convince you to do something, buy something, or believe something. You will see this in advertisements (โฆษณา), opinion pieces, and speeches.
Example: "You should switch to SolarPower batteries because they last twice as long as normal ones!"

2. To Inform (ให้ข้อมูล)

The writer wants to give you facts or explain a topic. This is common in news (ข่าว), textbooks, and non-fiction (สารคดี). The language is usually neutral and factual.
Example: "The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, which is home to over 10 million people."

3. To Entertain (ให้ความเพลิดเพลิน)

The writer wants to tell a story or make the reader feel an emotion. You find this in fiction (บันเทิงคดี), verse (บทร้อยกรอง), and skits (บทละครสั้น).
Example: "Once upon a time, in a deep dark forest, lived a dragon who loved to bake cookies."

4. To Instruct or Direct (สั่งการ/แนะแนวทาง)

The writer wants to tell you how to do something step-by-step. Look for these in manuals (คู่มือการใช้งาน) and directions.
Example: "First, insert the battery. Next, press the power button for three seconds."

Quick Tip: Ask yourself, "What does the writer want me to do or feel after reading this?" If they want you to buy a ticket, it's persuasion. If they want you to know how a plant grows, it's information.

Part 2: Text Organisation (How Texts are Built)

Writers don't just throw sentences together. They use specific patterns to make their ideas clear. Here are the most common patterns you will see in your studies:

1. Sequential / Chronological (ลำดับเหตุการณ์)

Information is organised by time or steps.
Keywords to look for: First, Second, Third, Next, Then, After, Finally.
Common in: Manuals, recipes, and news stories about events.

2. Cause and Effect (เหตุและผล)

The text explains why something happened (the cause) and what the result was (the effect).
Keywords to look for: Because, so, because of, due to, owing to, caused by, followed by.
Example: "Due to heavy rain, the football match was cancelled."

3. Compare and Contrast (การเปรียบเทียบ)

The writer looks at how two or more things are similar or different.
Keywords to look for: Both, and, as well as, but, however, although, in spite of, on the other hand.
Example: "Both Thailand and Japan are popular tourist destinations. However, the weather in Japan is much colder in winter."

4. Description and Listing (การบรรยายและให้รายละเอียด)

The writer describes a person, place, or thing by giving its features or characteristics.
Keywords to look for: Consist of, for example, such as, including.
Example: "The new smartphone consists of a glass screen, a titanium frame, and three cameras."

Key Takeaway:

Organisation is like a map. If you see words like "However" or "On the other hand," you know the writer is about to show you a different side of the argument.

Part 3: Using Connectives to Understand Structure

In your syllabus, "connectives" (คำเชื่อม) are the tools that build text organisation. If you learn to spot these, you can understand the structure of a text even if you don't know every single word!

1. Adding Information: And, not only...but also, both...and, as well as. (Used to list similar ideas).
2. Showing Contrast: But, although, however, in spite of, on the other hand. (Used to show a change in direction).
3. Showing Results/Reasons: So, because, because of, due to, owing to. (Used to explain why things happen).
4. Showing Sequence: First, Second, Next, Finally. (Used to guide you through steps).

Did you know? Using "Because of" is different from using "Because". "Because" is followed by a full sentence (Subject + Verb), while "Because of" is followed by a noun or a phrase.
Example: "We stayed home because it rained." vs "We stayed home because of the rain."

Part 4: Step-by-Step Strategy for the Exam

When you are given a reading passage, follow these steps to identify purpose and organisation:

Step 1: Skim the text. Read the title and the first/last sentences of each paragraph. What is the general topic? (Self, Environment, Science/Tech, etc.)

Step 2: Circle the connectives. Look for words like "First," "However," or "Because." These tell you the pattern of the text.

Step 3: Identify the tone. Is the writer using facts (Inform)? Are they using "I" and "should" (Persuade/Opinion)? Or are they telling a story (Entertain)?

Step 4: Check the "Target Audience." Who is this written for? A manual is for a user. An advertisement is for a customer. News is for the general public.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mixing up "Inform" and "Persuade": Just because a text has facts doesn't mean it's only informing. If the facts are used to make you buy something, the main purpose is Persuasion.

2. Ignoring the transitions: Students often skip words like "However" or "Therefore." These words are the "traffic lights" of reading—they tell you when to go straight or when to turn!

3. Forgetting the context: A text about medicine might be informative (facts about the drug) or instructive (dosage instructions). Read carefully to see if the writer is giving knowledge or giving orders.

Quick Review

- Purpose: Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Instruct.

- Patterns: Sequence (First/Next), Cause/Effect (Because/So), Contrast (But/However), Description (Consist of).

- Clues: Look for "signpost" words (connectives) to see how the writer has organised their thoughts.

Note: For more details on understanding specific words, check the chapter on "Vocabulary in Context." To learn about identifying the central point of a text, see "Main idea and gist."