Author's Purpose
Objectives
Student will be able to:
determine the author's purpose, or motive, for writing.
explain how text characteristics, such as word choice, syntax, and organization, further the author's purpose.
Introduction
An
author's purpose
is his or her reason for writing. All text that you read will fit into one of these three purposes: to inform, to persuade, or to entertain.
Exercises
Read the following brief passage, keeping the author's purpose in mind as you read. Then answer the questions that follow.
1.
What is the author's purpose in writing this passage? Circle your response.
a.
to inform
b.
to persuade
c.
to entertain
c. to entertain
1
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
2.
Which of the following does the author include to reach his or her purpose? Circle your response.
a.
a description of Mom based on her house specifications
b.
detailed information about the location of the island
c.
a dialogue between the narrator and the mother
d.
a listing of available summer cottages
a. a description of Mom based on her house specifications
2
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
3.
In which of the following sources might this passage be found? Circle your response.
a.
a short story
b.
an encyclopedia
c.
an operating manual
d.
a comic book
a. a short story
3
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
4.
Choose a different author's purpose other than the one of this passage. In the space provided, tell how you would change the passage to make it fit the purpose.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
If I wrote this passage to inform readers, I might describe the island and the types of summer cottages that are available.
If I wrote this passage to persuade readers, I would describe how beautiful the island is and convince them to move there.
4
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
5.
Name two text characteristics that are typical for this kind of writing.
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
emotions
storyline
characters
conflict
5
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
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Most people have a pretty good idea of what they want when they decide to purchase a house. My mom sure knew what she wanted in a summer cottage as we checked some out on a small island off the coast of southern North Carolina.
First, she told the real estate agent, she wanted to make sure that there was a covered porch because she cannot withstand very much sun. Secondly, she wanted to be right on the ocean so that she would not have to walk very far to reach the water. Finally, she wanted a cottage on one level so that she would not have to navigate steps. Oh, yes, she did need four bedrooms, at least three baths, and an outside shower with hot and cold water. And she did not want to be too far from town because the long trip to the grocery store and the drug store would be inconvenient. Mom's not at all picky.
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