Author’s Purpose “Why did they write this?”. Objectives Students will be able to analyze a piece of writing to determine the author’s intended purpose.

Author’s Purpose“Why did they write this?”

Objectives

• Students will be able to analyze a piece of writing to determine the author’s intended purpose of the piece.

• Students will be able to apply the knowledge of author’s purpose to their reading material and use that to evaluate the details of the material they read.

3 Basic Reasons

• To INFORM• To PERSUADE• To ENTERTAIN

INFORMThe MAIN purpose of texts that are written to inform is to enlighten the reader or provide the reader with information about a topic.

Examples of Texts That Are Written to InformExpository Essays or ArticlesInstructions or DirectionsEncyclopedias or Other Reference TextsNewspapers (parts of them)

PERSUADEIn a text that is written to persuade, the author’s MAIN purpose is to compel readers to take action, convince them of an idea through argument, or to reaffirm their existing beliefs.

Examples of Texts That Are Written to PersuadeAdvertisementsCampaign SpeechesPersuasive Letters or Notes

ENTERTAINThe MAIN purpose of texts that are written to entertain is to amuse readers. This does not mean that the text must be happy; the text could be a tragedy, but the main reason for writing the text is to amuse or occupy the readers.

Examples of Texts that Are Written to Entertain:•Stories •Poems •Dramas •Songs

A Quick Note… MAINPURPOSE

A piece of writing may have some of each element, but you will want to look for the MAIN purpose of each piece.

The Test1. Is the text a poem, play, or story?

Yes = entertain No=try another question

2. Does the text provide a lot of facts and information?Yes = inform No=try another question

3. Is the text trying to get the reader to do or believe something?Yes = persuade No=try another question

Try a few…

A story about a family trying to stick together and survive through the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1030’s.

EntertainPersuadeInform

Try a few…

A section in a history book describing the conditions and causes of the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1930’s


Try a few…


A poem expressing the idea that the IPOD is the greatest consumer electronic device ever made.

Try a few…


An instructional booklet describing how to operate an MP3 player.

Try a few…


An article where the author argues that an IPOD music player is better than a ZUNE.

Try a few…


The story of a young athlete who takes steroids and his life and future fall apart.

Try a few…


A medical report describing the effects of steroids on the human body.

Try a few…


A speech written by Jose Canseco listing the negative effects of steroids and urging young athletes to not use steroids.

Try a few…


A booklet containing the school rules and the consequences for violating those rules

Try a few…


A story written about a young boy who moves to a new school and is bullied, but he gains self-confidence by joining a sports team and learns to stand up for himself.

Author’s Purpose

• To INFORM• To PERSUADE• To ENTERTAIN

Author’s Purpose “Why did they write this?”. Objectives Students will be able to analyze a piece of writing to determine the author’s intended purpose.

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