Author's Purpose

1. PERSUADE-

• The author tries to convince the reader to agree with an opinion, but will include facts to make a strong argument.
• Part of being a good reader is noticing what the writer doesn't say.
• If the author presents lots of facts, but they only inform you about one side of an issue, the purpose is probably to persuade.

Examples:

• Advertisements/Commercials
• Editorials
• Essays
• Campaign Speeches
• Book, film, restaurant reviews

2. INFORM-

• An author gives facts or true information about a subject, NO OPINIONS!
• Both sides of an argument are presented.

Examples

• News articles
• Textbooks
• Biographies
• Documentaries
• Book Reports
• Instruction Manuals
• Charts
• Graphs
• Tables
• Maps

• Authors write fiction stories, like mystery novels, romance novels, dramas, plays, poems, and comic books
• The author will include facts and opinions.

EXAMPLES:

• Novels
• Short stories
• Poetry
• Plays

• The author tells what something looks like, sounds like, tastes like, smells like, or feels like.
• The author uses facts, but may use a few opinions.
• When an author describes something, they are painting a picture for the reader.

Examples

• Menus
• Catalogs
• Travel brochures
• Some poetry
• Technical manuals

PERSUADE EXAMPLE

DESCRIPTIVE EXAMPLE

Claire had the best time making her valentine cards for her classmates. She used red and white paper, heart stickers, markers and anything else she could find around the house. She even sprayed a splash of perfume on them to make them smell like roses. After hours of working the the cards, she was finished. They were beautiful. Each card was in the shape of a heart and big enough that you needed two hands to hold it. Some were metallic gray color with teal paint. Other cards were hot pink with a sheer glitter on top. Every message within the card was different and special for each of Claire's friends.

PERSUADE EXAMPLE

The Slim-O-Matic 2000 will cause you to loose pounds and inches from your body in one month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video to show you the proper way to exercise. Everyone needs a Slim-O-Matic in their house. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today.

The Slim-O-Matic 2000 will cause you to loose pounds and inches from your body in one month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video to show you the proper way to exercise. Everyone needs a Slim-O-Matic in their house. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today.

What is the author's purpose if the passage contains...

Facts or true information =

Fiction (funny, scary, adventure)

Facts about how something looks, feels, tastes, sounds, or smells

Tries to get you to do something

Let's Practice

How do you know?

to Inform

to Entertain

to Describe

to Persuade

DESCRIPTIVE EXAMPLE

Claire had the best time making her valentine cards for her classmates. She used red and white paper, heart stickers, markers and anything else she could find around the house. She even sprayed a splash of perfume on them to make them smell like roses. After hours of working the the cards, she was finished. They were beautiful. Each card was in the shape of a heart and big enough that you needed two hands to hold it. Some were metallic gray color with teal paint. Other cards were hot pink with a sheer glitter on top. Every message within the card was different and special for each of Claire's friends.

How do you know?

3. ENTERTAIN

Authors write fiction stories to make you laugh, cry, get excited, scared, etc.

INFORM EXAMPLE

The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters.

How do you know?

Author's Purpose

Why was that written?

An author

writes

for many

reasons.

It was a glorious morning in Alabama. The sun was shining through the trees. Martez couldn't wait to find his fishing pole and call his friend Korron to go fishing. They had a great time on these early morning fishing trips and didn't mind the smell of fish on an early morning hot day. They took their dogs with them and the dogs would swim in the lake while they fished. It was a beautiful area of town. The lake was surrounded by hundreds of trees. The water was clear and there were no distractions in sight. They boys were set for a good day.

4. Describe

Tayler and her brother, Brandon were playing with the water hose outside one summer day. Brandon was hiding from Tayler so she couldn't splash him with the water hose. The back door opened. Tayler thought it was Brandon. She aimed the hose for the door about to open. As it opened, Tayler began to squirt. It was Mom and she was now dripping wet!

ENTERTAIN EXAMPLE

Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover Cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $25.99. Send your check to P.O. Box 00002, Hardin Rocks, MO 63301

The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters.

3. ENTERTAIN

INFORM EXAMPLE

How do you know?

Tayler and her brother, Brandon were playing with the water hose outside one summer day. Brandon was hiding from Tayler so she couldn't splash him with the water hose. The back door opened. Tayler thought it was Brandon. She aimed the hose for the door about to open. As it opened, Tayler began to squirt. It was Mom and she was now dripping wet!

ENTERTAIN EXAMPLE

Write these four titles, skipping four lines between each one:

1. Author's Purpose

2. Proof

3. Author

4. Credibility

Take out a piece of paper...