Author's Purpose

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Author's Purpose
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It's test time again and you've just finished
reading the first paragraph in the test booklet
and are preparing to answer the questions. The
first question? Piece of cake! It's a context
clue. The second question? No problem! The
answer's right there. The third one is a little
harder - it's an inference question, but you
still figure it out.
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Whoa! What's this? Which of the following was the
author's purpose in writing this? "To torture
children who have to take these tests," you think
grumpily, but that answer is not one of your
choices...
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Authors' purpose questions are another way of
saying, "Why did the author write this anyhow, or
what was the reason this piece was written?"
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How do I find the purpose?
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There are many purposes for an author's writing.

• to correct a misunderstanding
• to show differing points of view
• to review a film
• to review a book

• to inform
• to perform a task
• to sell
• to inspire

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Important reasons for author's to write

• Entertain
• Instruct
• Persuade
• Describe

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ENTERTAIN
THE AUTHOR TELLS A STORY THAT DESCRIBES
SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN AN INTERESTING WAY!
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INSTRUCT
The author will explain or teach something in the
story that the reader doesnt know. The author
provides knowledge to the reader.
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persuade
The author tries to change our opinion on a topic
by appealing to our emotions.
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dark, shadowy figures
Authors often describe to support other purposes
in writing. They use it to create a character,
set a mood or envision a scene.
DESCRIBE
hot and arid
rolling waves
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ASK YOURSELF

• Did the author try to make me laugh? Entertain
•    Did the author want to tell me a story?
  Entertain
•    Did the author try to amuse me? Entertain

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ASK AGAIN
Did the author give me facts? Inform    Did
the author try to teach me something? Inform
   Did the author try to convince me? Persuade
   Did the author want to change my opinion?
Persuade
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Knowing the Author's Purpose

• prepare your mind for the type of information in
  the reading
• make the article easier to summarize
• make it easier for you to discriminate between
  the article's main idea and important details

Will
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Read to Know!