SBQ Skills: Purpose
CDSS/HUMANS/SHASHI/2009
• Some sources are produced with a
specific motive / purpose in mind. Such
sources include posters, letters to a forum,
as well as speeches. When analysing the
purpose of a source, you should look out
for the following:
Message
1. Message – What is the intended
message of the source (What it is trying
to say)?
Audience
1. Target Audience – Who was / is the
source trying to address / influence?
Impact
1. Impact – What is the desired outcome
that the source (the writer / producer) is
trying to achieve?
Explaining Purpose
• Do not always use the terms show, tell,
and say when explaining purpose. (For
example, the purpose of the speech is to
tell the people…..). Use stronger terms
that clearly emphasise the intended
purpose. The following is a list of helpful
terms that you could use. The list is not
exhaustive so if you have your own words,
write them in the empty boxes below:
PURPOSE
(+)
(Neutral)
(-)
Portray
Highlight
Condemn
Support
Bring to attention
Criticise
Defend
Convey
Accuse
Assure
Confirm
Question
Appeal
Convince
Blame
Cast in a positive light
Persuade
Shame
Create a good impression
Justify
Cast in a negative light
Demand
Attack
Make aware
Threaten
Glorify
Sensationalise
Emphasise
Warn