When an author writes to persuade, what is their primary goal?

When an author writes to persuade, the primary goal is to convince the reader to act or believe something. Persuasive writing is designed specifically to present arguments or viewpoints that influence the reader’s thoughts or actions. It often employs emotional appeals, logical reasoning, and credible evidence to sway the audience toward a particular perspective or motivate them to take specific actions.

In contrast, providing information focuses on presenting facts without seeking to influence opinions or actions, which is not the aim of persuasive writing. Similarly, while entertaining the reader can be an effect of well-written text, it is not the central goal of persuasion; instead, persuasive writing prioritizes argumentation and the intention to change the reader’s mindset. Lastly, describing a personal experience may serve to illustrate points within a persuasive argument, but it does not encapsulate the fundamental objective of persuading the audience. Therefore, the correct answer accurately reflects the essence of persuasive writing, which is centered around influencing the beliefs or actions of the reader.