The Author's Purpose

P (persuade) I (inform)

E (entertain) D (to describe))

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The Author's Purpose   (04:24)

P (persuade) Persuade means to try to convince someone

to think the same way you do.

Examples

advertisements, newspaper editorials, junk mail, posters

I (inform) Inform means to give someone information

about something.

Examples news reports, research papers, encyclopedias, school news letters, instructions, pamphlets from health clinics, maps, timelines, schedules, charts, graphs

E (entertain)Entertain means to amuse someone.

Examples fictional stories, comics, poems, jokes, riddles

D (describe)To Describe means to give the reader sensory

details to create a picture in his/her mind or to help him/her understand a feeling.

Examples

vacation brochures, wanted/missing poster, real estate listing, movie reviews, tjournals/diaries, description of a place, memories of your past

Here are some tips to help you decide what the Author’s Purpose is: If a passage has more FACTS than opinions, it’s probably an INFORMative text. If a passage has more OPINIONSthan facts, it’s probably either a PERSUASIVE or ENTERTAININGpassage. If a passage is filled withSENSORY language (5 senses), METAPHORS, or SIMILES, then it’s probably DESCRIPTIVE.

Author’s Purpose Online ActivitiesFCAT Express

http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat/strategies/ap/default.htm

New York State Elementary Test Prep- ELA 4- Kindergarten http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/authorpur.cfm

BBC Skillswise http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/typesoftext/game.shtml

Skills for Life http://www.citycol.com/basic_skills/Quizzes/Purpose/reading_purpose.htm

DirectionsOn a piece of paper number from 1 to 16. For

each of the next 16 slides determine the author’s purpose for the type of writing. Write

P for persuade I for inform

E for entertain S for share feelings

1. a poster about a community walk-a-thon for charity

P for persuadeI for informE for entertainS for share feelings

2. appointment card from the dentist

3. an advertisement for Coca-Cola

4. a book report

5. a story read to the school from the Writer of the Week

6. knock knock jokes

7. an e-mail that tells a friend you are going to be late

8. diary

9. instructions booklet on how to assemble a bicycle

10. step by step recipe

11. half price ad from Wal-Mart

12. crossword puzzle

13. short story

14. directions for taking medication

15. encyclopedia

16. letters

Answers

1. a poster about a community walk-a-thon for charity Inform

2. appointment card from the dentist Inform3. an advertisement for Coca-Cola Persuade4. a book report Inform Or Persuade5. a story read to the school from the Writer of the

Week Entertain6. knock knock jokes Entertain7. an e-mail that tells a friend you are going to be

late Inform8. diary Share Feelings

Answers9. instructions booklet on how to assemble a

bicycle Inform10. step by step recipe Inform11. half price ad from Wal-Mart Persuade12. crossword puzzle Entertain13. short story Entertain14. directions for taking medication Inform15. encyclopedia Inform16. letters Share Feelings

Additional ResourcesAuthor’s Purpose PowerPoint

http://edujourney.net/Powerpoint%20Templates/Author's%20Purpose/Authors%20Purpose.ppt#257,1,Slide%201

Online Quiz http://wps.ablongman.com/long_henry_er_1/0,7989,1130503-,00.html

Interactive Slideshowhttp://www.fcatexplorer.com/media/parent/tiplister/flash/tip210a.swf

Reading Skills Rocket (Interactive Quiz)http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/trophies/rsr/build1/RR_e_4_20_ae.htm

Additional ResourcesQuia

http://www.quia.com/pop/82118.html?AP_rand=1726073753

Practice Author’s Purposehttp://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/j/authorpurposep.cfm

Reading for a Purposehttp://www.citycol.com/basic_skills/Quizzes/Purpose/reading_purpose.htm

Author's Purpose and Point of View Pretest http://unx1.shsu.edu/~txcae/Powerpoints/prepostest/authorpovpretest.html

Posttest http://unx1.shsu.edu/~txcae/Powerpoints/prepostest/authorpovpostest.html