To determine a text's main purpose, ask yourself:
1. Does the text offer a set of facts? If so, its purpose is probably to inform.
2. Is the text an anecdote, novel, story, or poem? If the answer is yes, its purpose is probably to entertain.
3. Does the text attempt to change the reader's opinion? If so, it is probably intended to persuade.
4. Does the text provide a series of steps to accomplish a specific task? If so, it is a text that instructs.
5. Does the text want to make you do or buy something? To activate.