Author's Purpose

Author's Purpose

By Elizabeth Rauscher

​Author's Purpose

We all know PIE for Author's Purpose

P - Persuade

I - Inform

E - Entertain

​

But these purposes don't fully tell us what the Author wants us to do with this text. ​Persuade to do what? Inform about what for what purpose? Entertain in what way? Instead, we have to go deeper.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

The lens through which the author sees their subject. This lens creates

author’s perspective, position, opinion, and/or bias within the text​

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Author's View Point

A view or judgment

about a

subject/issue

​Opinion

Natural tendency

to feel a certain

way about things

​​Bias

Author's View Point

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Both Bias and Opinion can shape how a text is presented and what information is shared. It is important to understand the bias and opinions in order to fully understand the author's purpose

How to find the Author's Viewpoint

In non-fiction writing, author’s purpose and viewpoint are closely related and can be determined by analyzing the use of:

​

Text Structure

Loaded Language​

Opinions vs Facts​

​

​

​

​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

List or Classification

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Typically to inform; however, if listed or categorized by value could be used to persuade

​Purpose

Information to support the main idea is either arranged in a specific order or into specific categories

​Structure/Organization

Definition and Example

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Used to inform or instruct the audience on new concepts.

​Purpose

Typically involves one definition context clue, followed by examples to clarify or support the original definition

​Structure/Organization

Compare and Contrast

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Used for both informing and persuading audiences. Can compare for greater

understanding or to persuade that one thing is better than another

​Purpose

Information in the passage contains two or more elements that are compared, contrasted, or both compared and contrasted.

​Structure/Organization

Cause-Effect

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Typically to inform; however, can be used to persuade one to make choices or take actions that would serve as causes toward a desired

effect.

​Purpose

Information in the passage explains the relationship between a cause

and the resulting effects.

​Structure/Organization

Problem-Solution

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Used for both informing and persuading audiences. If the solution is predetermined, it most likely is informative; if there are multiple

possibly solutions could be persuasive.

​Purpose

Information in the passage explores a problem and the actual or potential solutions to the problem.

​Structure/Organization

Counter-Argument/Rebuttal

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Used to argue and persuade the audience to accept the writer’s position or viewpoint.

​Purpose

Information in the passage presents debatable issue , first discussing the opposition’s argument and then confronting weakness in opponent’s position in a rebuttal argument.

​Structure/Organization

Claim/Evidence/Warrant

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Mostly used to argue or persuade.

​Purpose

Providing a statement or proposition with supporting evidence followed by the logical conclusion

​Structure/Organization

Narrative/Anecdotal

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Mostly used to entertain

​Purpose

Stories or short accounts involving characters, conflict, dialogue, etc

​Structure/Organization

Multiple Choice

You have been tasked with writing a paper analyzing 2 separate books. What type of essay structure might you use?

• Definition and Example

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause-Effect

• Problem-Solution

Multiple Choice

You have been tasked with writing a research paper on the effects of pollution in Lake Erie. What essay structure should you use?

• List or Classification

• Compare and Contrast

• Cause-Effect

• Narrative/Anecdotal

Multiple Choice

You have been tasked with writing an essay on world hunger. What essay structure should you use?

• Cause-Effect

• Counter-Argument/Rebuttal

• List or Classification

• Problem-Solution

a personal

value or judgment

Opinion

a specific detail that

is true based on objective

proof

​Fact

Fact vs Opinion

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Is subjective

Is created

Interprets Reality

Cannot be verified

Presented with biased words

Example: An orange tastes great

Opinion

Is objective

Is discovered

States Reality

Can be verified

Presented without biased words

Example: An orange is citrus.

​Fact

Fact vs Opinion

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Key words that indicate bias

WORDS THAT INDICATE BIAS/OPINION (Adj./Adv. That express value/judgment/interpretation)

​

Amazing, Awesome, Bad, Beautiful, Best, Better, Disgusting, Exiting, Favorite, Fantastic, Great, Handsome, Horrible, More, Most, Smart, Stupid, Ugly Very

​

​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Key words that indicate bias

WORDS THAT QUALIFY POSITIONS OR BELIEFS

​

​

​All, Always, Appears, Believe, Could, Likely, May, Might, It is believed, Possibly, Probably, Often, Never, Seem, Should, Think, Opinion

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

What kind of bias is shown in the below statement:

I think that the theme to To Kill a Mockingbird is to always try to look at the world through other people's point of views.

• Bias/Opinion

• Qualify Position or Beliefs

Multiple Choice

What kind of bias is shown in the below statement:

Scout is a kind person who wants to do what is best.

• Bias/Opinion

• Qualify Position or Beliefs

​Let's Try It Out

Let's put everything together to try to find the deeper Author's Purpose

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

The word is terracide. It is not committed with guns and knives, but with relentless

bulldozers, roaring dump trucks, and giant shovels like mythological beasts. Dynamite

cuts and rips apart mountains to reach the minerals inside, leaving nothing but empty,

naked hills. The land is left wasted and allowed to slide down upon houses and into

streams, making the land unlivable and the stream water undrinkable. This is terracide,

or if you prefer, strip mining.

The author’s purpose is to

• inform you about the purposes of strip mining.

• describe a strip mining operation.

• persuade you that strip mining is bad for the environment.

• define terracide.

Multiple Choice

To make a delicious New England pie, proceed as follows: take some water and

flour; then construct a bullet-proof dough. Make this into a disk-shaped object. Dry it for

a couple of days in a mild temperature. Pour on stewed dried apples and slabs of citron;

leave it in a safe place until it petrifies. Serve cold at breakfast and invite your

mother-in-law.

The author’s purpose is to

• tell the steps in making a pie.

• make fun of (satirize) New England cooking.

• persuade the reader to buy New England pie.

• describe New England pie.

Multiple Choice

I will try to give the reader of this article some idea of the real nature of Gothic

architecture, not just of Venice, but of universal Gothic. One of the most interesting parts

of our study will be to find out how far Venetian architecture went in achieving the perfect

type of Gothic, and how far it fell short of it.

The author’s purpose is to

• explain the importance of Gothic architecture.

• describe Venetian architecture.

• show how Venetian architecture is vastly different from Gothic architecture.

• show the nature of Gothic architecture.

Multiple Choice

Tofu is a product that is becoming very popular as a low-calorie, cholesterol-free

meat substitute. Formerly it was found exclusively in Asian Food markets and health food

stores, but today tofu can be purchased in most supermarket produce departments. This

white, cheese like substance is made from the condensed milk of soybeans. It is

extremely high in protein and low in sodium. Tofu is almost tasteless by itself, but it can

be easily mixed into sauces and soups; it can even be made to imitate scrambled eggs.

The author’s purpose is to

• evaluate Asian cooking.

• persuade you to eat low-cholesterol foods.

• describe tofu.

• to compare tofu with meat.

Multiple Choice

Dear Tall, Dark and Handsome — This is your lucky day! The girl of your dreams is

just a phone call away. I am 5’ 10’’, slim, pretty, and only 23. I love pop music, good

books, exotic foods, and foreign travel. Give me a ring any day after 6 P.M. You won’t be

sorry. Your gal, Jackie.

The author’s purpose is to

• convince the reader to call the writer.

• describe the writer objectively.

• criticize the writer’s lack of intelligence.

• entertain the reader with some interesting facts.

Multiple Choice

Our criminal justice system today is a disgrace. Modern day criminals have more rights

than an honest citizen ever imagined were written into our U.S. Constitution. Murderers

and rapists are typically set free on legal technicalities and seldom face any jail time.

While that scum is back to work finding new victims, the pleas of those they have killed,

maimed, or violated go unheard. Until we begin giving some real consideration to people

who obey the law, instead of those who break it, things are going to continue getting

worse.

The author’s purpose is to

• describe the actions of the criminals.

• compare criminals with honest citizens.

• inform the reader about the extent of crime in America.

• criticize our criminal justice system.

Multiple Choice

Couponing is a growing trend in our country. As more people are losing their jobs or their hours and pay are being cut, they are looking for ways to save money. Coupons are an easy means of doing this. Yes, it may take a little work, but the payoff can be worth the time. If you get the daily paper already, you don’t have to spend any money to get the coupons. In addition, there are online sites that allow you to select and print the coupons of your choice. Many stores even double or triple the value of the money saved. So if you want to find an easy way to help your family save money during these tough times, try couponing. There’s nothing to lose and money to gain.

What is the Author's Purpose?

• To discourage people from using coupons.

• To inform the reader of the popularity of using coupons.

• To make fun of those who use coupons.

• To persaude the reader to use coupons to save money.

Multiple Choice

Until the early 1900's, Americans were not extremely concerned about their futures as they became older. The major source of economic security was farming, and the extended family cared for the elderly. However, the Industrial Revolution brought an end to this tradition. Farming gave way to more progressive means of earning a living and family ties became looser; as a result, the family was not always available to take care of the older generation. The Great Depression of the 1930's exacerbated these economic security woes. So in 1935, Congress, under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, signed into law the Social Security Act. This act created a program intended to provide continuing income for retired workers at least 65 years old, partially through the collection of funds from Americans in the work force. Much organization was required to get the program underway, but the first monthly Social Security checks were issued in 1940. Over the years the Social Security Program has metamorphosed into benefits not only for workers but also for the disabled and for survivors of beneficiaries, as well as medical insurance benefits in the form of Medicare.

The author most likely mentions the Depression to:

• identify the primary purpose for Social Security.

• criticize FDR's adoption of a program that would run out of money.

• contrast the effectiveness of the Social Security Program with that of family care.

Multiple Choice

The funeral was just stretching on and on that sweaty Sunday in the middle of the summer. I took a look at my fingers, clammy and swollen from the dizzy heat, and ached to be splashing around in the creek behind the church. Daddy promised that the rain from Friday would cool everything down, but the sun just sucked up all that water just the same as it did year after year. All the women, dressed in black with funny-looking hats, whispered at each other and blew their noses into hankies as they tried to fan themselves cooler with the paper bulletin old lady Mathers had typed up just for this occasion. Preacher Tom yammered on and on in his booming voice like it was just another boring Sunday and no one had even died, while tiny little rivers of sweat made their way down the middle of my back. Miss Patterson, my favorite Sunday school teacher, whispered ‘cross the aisle to Daddy that “It’s a cryin’ shame, ya know.” Daddy shrugged his big old coal-mining shoulders and said, “The good Lord knows what’s best.” I knew he wasn’t really sad because he was a “hard-hearted man with no sense and no decency,” like Momma used to say when he’d come home smelling like whiskey.

The author most likely used the phrase "tiny little rivers of sweat made their way down the middle of my back" in order to:

• contrast the hot interior of the church during the funeral with the coolness of the creek.

• compare the hot interior of the church during the funeral with the coolness of the creek.

• identify the main reason the narrator was uncomfortable during the funeral.

• intensify the description of the heat during the funeral.