Author's Purpose
The author's purpose is the main reason he/she is writing something. Often times the author's purpose is to persuade, inform, or entertain. It's important to keep the author's purpose in mind because it can prevent you from believing half-truths, help you avoid a bad purchase, and help you become an informed citizen. You can infer the author's purpose from the text features and from specific language that the author uses.
Finding the author's purpose is as easy as PIE!
Test your skills with a game of Battleship!
Try out this quick quiz to see how well you can determine the author's purpose.
Use these examples to practice identifying the author's purpose:
Jim was unable to get to sleep. When he went to bed he cried. Tomorrow is his birthday party and it is going to be ruined. How can we go sledding with no snow? The next morning, when Jim got out of bed and ran to the window, he shouted with glee, "The snow has fallen and we can go sledding!" Jim was happy because now he can have his birthday sledding party.
(Purpose = to entertain; I know this because there is a character, a setting, and events happening in what seems to be a story told for enjoyment.)
Everyone should have a pet. Pets are very loving and affectionate. They help children learn responsibility. Pets give you unconditional love. Having a pet is a wonderful experience.
(Purpose = to persuade; I know this because the word “should” means the author thinks I ought to believe or do something. Also, the author is trying to give reasons why I should own a pet.)
There are a couple of materials you need to gather before building the bike. First, you will need a solid, aluminum frame.
(Purpose = to inform; I know this because the author is giving the information/materials I will need to build a bike. Also, the author is listing steps to complete a task.)
Use the poster below to help you determine the author's purpose.
rl7_soapstone_strategy_poster.pdf | |
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