Short Answer 
To determine a passage’s purpose, first analyze its content for key themes and context, then identify potential purposes such as informing, entertaining, or persuading. Finally, evaluate the evidence to draw a conclusion, acknowledging that without the specific text, your conclusion remains a hypothesis.
Step 1: Analyze the Passage Content
To determine the purpose of any passage, it is essential to first analyze the specific content presented. Look for key themes, vocabulary, and overall context that might provide clues about the author’s intent. Identifying whether the passage is factual, narrative, or argumentative can guide your understanding.
Step 2: Identify Potential Purposes
Once you have the content analyzed, consider what the potential purposes could be based on typical conventions. For passages about UFOs, the aims may include:
- Informing readers about UFOs, including their history and definitions.
- Entertaining through storytelling or narrated incidents related to UFO sightings.
- Persuading readers to take action, such as reporting UFO sightings to authorities.
Step 3: Evaluate and Conclude
Finally, evaluate the evidence and draw a conclusion about the passage’s purpose. Based on your analysis and the identified potential purposes, you can develop a clear understanding of what the author intends to achieve with their writing. Remember, without the specific text, your conclusion will remain an informed hypothesis.