What this lesson teaches
I can explain how citizens can shape decisions on public matters, for example through feedback and dialogue.
Syllabus K230, Issue 1, Guiding Question 4. Influencing decision-making in public affairs
Make a guess
A student writes: 'The purpose of Source B is to show that the scheme works.' How complete do you think this answer is?
- Incomplete: it gives a message, not an outcome for a named audience.
- Complete, as long as the source is quoted at length to back it up.
- Complete, because 'to show' states the purpose clearly.
Show the answer
Incomplete: it gives a message, not an outcome for a named audience.
Purpose is what the author wanted a named audience to think or do. 'To show' stays in the middle levels.
Purpose is the outcome the author wanted: what a named audience should think or do. Support it with the message and the context.
Purpose questions ask "Why was this source published?" or "Why did the cartoonist draw this?" They are usually worth 5 or 6 marks.
A purpose answer has three parts. First, the intended outcome: "to persuade residents to come to the feedback session". Second, the message that would lead to that outcome, supported by details. Third, the context from the provenance that explains why the author wanted that outcome at that time.
Stating only the message ("to show that...") stays in the middle levels, because "to show" is not an outcome. Ask: after reading this, what did the author want the audience to do or believe?
- Purpose formula
- To make [audience] [think or do something], because [context]. Support it with the message.
Worked example: The purpose ladder for a poster
A residents' network poster says "ONE ESTATE, MANY TABLES. Bring a dish from your home. Share the story behind it." It gives a date at the void deck and notes halal and vegetarian tables.
- Level 1, provenance only: "It was made by a residents' network to tell people about an event."
- Level 2, message: "It shows that residents of different backgrounds can share food together."
- Level 3, purpose: "It was published to persuade residents of all backgrounds to come to the meal and mix with neighbours."
- Top level, purpose with message and context: add the evidence ("Share the story behind it", the marked halal and vegetarian tables, which make everyone feel welcome) and why the network wanted more mixing in the estate at that time.
Watch out for this
"The purpose is to show that..." is a complete purpose answer.
"To show" gives a message. A purpose names what the audience should think or do, such as "to persuade residents to attend".
Check your understanding
A poster calls for estate volunteers. Which is the strongest statement of its purpose?
- To get residents to sign up as volunteers this month.
- To explain to residents how the volunteer scheme started.
- To show residents that the estate needs more volunteers.
Show the answer
To get residents to sign up as volunteers this month.
Right. It names the action the author wants from the audience, which is what a purpose is.