Reading skill
Recognise a text's purpose and layout
Decide whether a text informs, instructs, warns, invites or asks before you search for detail.
Start with the source
Ask where the text would appear: a shop, workplace, school, health service, council office or phone screen. The setting narrows the likely purpose.
Read the largest clues
Headings, logos, bold words, dates, prices and action verbs reveal structure quickly. Use them before reading every line.
01PURPOSE02CLUE03EVIDENCE04ANSWER
Name the reader's action
A useful purpose statement says what the reader should know or do, such as attend an appointment, keep an area clear or return a form.
Check purpose against detail
A heading can attract attention, but the body controls the exact meaning. Confirm the purpose with at least one supporting detail.