Activities in Writing Purpose Statements

Sample Purpose Statements

Critique the following purpose statements. For each purpose statement below, write a short paragraph in which you identify the main weaknesses of the purpose statement using the criteria we have discussed. Also, you should re-write each purpose statement to improve the weaknesses you identified.

(1) "The purpose of this memo is to discuss cigarette smoking in the office."

(2) "I am writing this letter to tell you about our company's new fitness program."

"The objective of this report is to discuss automobile security devices."

(4) "In this paper I will write about food and health."

(5) "This paper will cover the politics of business as they pertain to institutions of higher education which are facing ever-increasing budget constraints in an environment of economic uncertainty."