Informational Text (9th)

Author's Purpose

Informational Text ​

By Jacy Thomas

Open Ended

Do Now: Author's purpose is the reason or intent for writing something. What are three main reasons an author would write an informational text? (hint: P.I.E.)

Multiple Choice

What is 1 of the 3 questions you should ask yourself when looking for the author's purpose for writing an informational text?

• What is the author's opinion?

• Does the author write well?

• Has the author written a lot on the subject?

Multiple Choice

What is 1 of the 3 questions you should ask yourself when looking for author's purpose?

• What is the connotation of an author's words

• Does the author know everything about the subject?

• Do I agree with the author's opinion?

Multiple Choice

What is 1 of the 3 questions you should ask yourself when looking for author's purpose?

• Is the topic the author is writing about interesting?

• Why does the author like writing?

• What information does the author include or leave out?

As we read "Professional Pushers" look for the author's purpose.

What's the author's opinion?

​What information does the author include or leave out?

What is the connotation of the author's words?​

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Learning Target: I can determine the author’s purpose

Standard: RI6​

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Multiple Select

Select TWO sentences from the text that best reveal the author’s purpose for writing.

• A. “The Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway, both subways systems in Tokyo, route commuters all over the large city, but there are more people than train cars.”

• B. “When there are more bodies busting out of the train car than it can hold, the professional pusher shoves the people into the train car.”

• C. “Trainees are taught to alert passengers that they will be pushed into the train.”

• D. “When the pushers are not on duty, the rest of the train or subway staff have to help.”

I can determine author's purpose.

The correct answers are A and B. The author’s purpose for writing is to inform readers about Tokyo’s overcrowded train system and how it is has led to the creation of professional pushers. Answers C and D are incorrect. While they support the author’s purpose by providing additional details about the job, they do not capture the author’s primary purpose.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase from Passage 1 BEST reveals the author’s point of view about subway travel in Tokyo?

• A. “rush hour”

• B. “sheer might”

• C. “sardine tin can”

• D. “no incidents”

I can determine the author's purpose.

The correct answer is C. The author compares the experience of traveling on the subway in Tokyo to being stuffed into a sardine tin can, thus revealing the author’s point of view that travel would be very uncomfortable. Answers A, B, and D are incorrect since they do not reveal the viewpoint.

Now, you will read and annotate "I Have a Dream," a speech written by Martin Luther King Jr. ​

Learning Target: I can determine the author's purpose.

Standard: RI6

You will highlight IN GREEN 1 sentence from the beginning, middle and end of the speech that BEST SHOWS the author's purpose for writing. ​

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After you have annotated the speech, you will write a constructed response on the following prompt: What is the author's purpose for writing "I Have a Dream?" Be sure to include evidence from the text that supports your answer. ​

Directions

Go to CANVAS. Click on "I Have A Dream Assignment." Complete your annotations by clicking on "Student Annotations."

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IN THE SAME ASSIGNMENT you will click "Text Entry" to submit a constructed response using the RACE method on the following prompt: What is the author's purpose for writing "I Have a Dream?" Be sure to include evidence from the text that supports your answer.

Learning Target: I can determine author's purpose.

Standard: RI6

Click "Text Entry" to complete constructed response.

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Click "Student Annotations" to complete annotations.

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Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Read along as you hear the "I Have a Dream" speech.

Write one specific word or phrase from the speech that shows MLK's point of view (opinion) of how America should change for the better.