Which term is used for the category of literature like fiction or non-fiction that signals the author’s purpose?

• A. To Describe
• B. Audience
• C. Textual Clues
• D. Genre

Answer: (D)

Genre identifies the category of literature—such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or drama—and this category signals what the author aims to do. When you know the genre, you have a sense of the writer’s general purpose. For example, fiction is typically crafted to entertain and illuminate ideas through storytelling, while non-fiction is usually written to inform, explain, or persuade with factual content. The other terms describe different aspects of writing—To Describe refers to a purpose or action, Audience points to who the writing is for, and Textual Clues are hints readers use to infer meaning—so they don’t name the category that signals the author’s broader aim.