Discuss the author's motives in a given text

Understanding the Author's Motives

When we read a text, we do more than just understand the words on the page. We ask why the author wrote it in the first place. The author's motives are the reasons, purposes, or intentions behind the text. Understanding these motives helps us read more deeply and think critically about what we consume.

What Are Author's Motives?

Author's motives refer to the underlying reasons why a writer creates a particular text. These motives may include:

• To inform or teach the reader something new
• To persuade the reader to accept a certain viewpoint
• To entertain the reader with a story
• To express emotions or personal experiences
• To criticize or expose problems in society
• To inspire or motivate the reader

Identifying the author's motives helps us understand the text's purpose and message more clearly.

How to Identify the Author's Motives Through Close Reading

Close reading means reading a text carefully and slowly, paying attention to every detail. Follow these steps:

1. Read the title carefully – The title often hints at the main topic or the author's focus.
2. Identify the main idea – What is the text mostly about? This gives clues about the purpose.
3. Look at the tone – Is the text serious, humorous, angry, or hopeful? The tone reveals the author's attitude.
4. Check the language choices – Words that are emotional, persuasive, or descriptive can show the author's intentions.
5. Consider the audience – Who is the text written for? This helps determine why the author wrote it.
6. Examine the structure – How is the text organized? Arguments, stories, and instructions show different motives.

Key Elements That Reveal Motives

When examining a text, look for these elements:

• Themes: The central ideas or messages the author explores
• Tone: The author's attitude toward the subject or audience
• Style: The way the author uses language – simple, formal, poetic, or technical
• Characters and their actions (in stories): What the characters want or struggle with often reflects what the author cares about
• Evidence and arguments: What facts, examples, or opinions the author includes shows what they want you to believe

Worked Example: Identifying Motives in a Tanzanian Context

Imagine you are reading a newspaper article about the construction of a new market in Dar es Salaam. The article describes how the market will help small traders, create jobs, and improve sanitation.

Through close reading, you notice:

• The article focuses on benefits to the community (purpose: to inform and persuade readers the project is good)
• The language is positive – words like "improved," "opportunity," and "growth" are used (purpose: to create support)
• The article quotes local traders and government officials (purpose: to show the project has wide support)

Conclusion: The author's motives are to inform readers about the new market and to persuade them that it is a positive development for the community.

Steps to Discuss the Author's Motives

When asked to discuss the author's motives in an exam or class, follow these steps:

1. State the motive clearly – Begin by identifying the main motive in one sentence.
2. Support with evidence – Quote or refer to specific parts of the text that show this motive.
3. Explain the technique – Show how the author uses language, tone, or structure to achieve their purpose.
4. Connect to the audience – Explain how the motive relates to who the text is for.

Example response: "The author's main motive is to persuade readers to support environmental conservation. This is shown through the use of alarming statistics about deforestation, emotional descriptions of affected wildlife, and hopeful suggestions for community action. By addressing ordinary citizens, the author aims to inspire personal responsibility."

Real-life application

In everyday life in Tanzania, you use this skill when reading news articles about local issues – for example, a story in Mwananchi about water shortages in Arusha. By identifying the author's motives, you can decide whether the article is giving you balanced information or trying to push a particular opinion, helping you become a more informed citizen.