Audience, Purpose and Context

Start with context

Begin with the mind map “What is context and why is it useful?” It introduces context as information about the setting in which a text or utterance is produced and received. Its branches include audience, mode, genre and purpose, giving you a way into the other resources on this page.

Next, look at “Context”. It brings together production and reception with questions about the relationship between speakers and producers, and whether communication is spoken, written, visual or multimodal.

Explore audience and mode

The note on context and mode asks whether communication is planned or spontaneous, permanent or ephemeral, and interactive or solitary. Use these questions alongside a context map to consider how a text is produced and received.

“Context Mindmap” adds details about audiences, including public and private audiences and intended audiences. It also includes cultural, historical and temporal context. Compare its branches with the broader categories in “Context” to see how the resources organize the topic.

Practice text purpose

For purpose, “English Purpose” groups examples around informing or educating, persuading and entertaining. A separate mind map on text purpose includes informing, entertaining, persuading and instructing, with examples such as a leaflet about hospital services.

Then use “Type and Purpose of Text” to practice with questions about persuasive, instructive, informative and descriptive texts. “Purpose of Text flashcards” also asks why texts have been produced, using examples such as adverts and instructions.

Bring the resources together

There are no quizzes on this topic page. Instead, use a flashcard question as a prompt, then return to a mind map to connect your answer with audience, mode or context. This approach links the topic’s resources to the wider English language unit on text types and text analysis.

Choose a map and a flashcard deck to study alongside each other.