Do you believe in the paranormal? If so, you might not be surprised to hear of alien abductions, brushes with ghosts, or even imps and ghouls invading one's bedroom at night. It's certainly entertaining to believe in such otherworldly events. But the phenomenon of sleep paralysis might just provide a more viable explanation to these occurrences than traditional paranormal explanations. REM sleep is a deep cycle of sleep in which we have our most vivid dreams. At this stage, we are paralyzed. This might simply be a sort of safety device to stop us from acting out our dreams so that we don't, for example, attempt to fly. But during sleep paralysis, features of REM sleep continue even after we wake up. At this stage, we are paralyzed. As much as 8% of the population experiences this phenomenon, perhaps explaining many events that might otherwise be attributed to paranormal activity.
What is the author's purpose for the text?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Authors use nonfiction passages to inform (educate) their readers of something. They are written in the expository style. This passage informs readers about the phenomenon of sleep paralysis and suggests that it can help explain events that are otherwise attributed to paranormal causes.
To teach a life lesson is incorrect. When authors want to teach a life lesson, they often write a parable or a fable, both of which are fictional forms of prose. This passage is nonfiction.  
To entertain with a story is incorrect. Authors use narrative prose to tell stories. This passage is nonfiction. 
To describe details of a setting is incorrect. When an author wants to describe something-a place or a person, for example-he or she will use descriptive language such as adjectives or imagery. This passage does not contain such language.

Do You Believe in the Paranormal? If So, You Might