What do you want to say ?
Do you want to analyze, explain, teach, persuade? (a
combination is common)
What response do you want?
What do you want your readers to do?
What do you want your readers to know?
What facts do you need to impart?
Covert purpose:
Examples: a raise, a better job, a good
grade/evaluation
.
What role do you want to play?
Friendly, impersonal, authoritative,
persuasive....