PURPOSE OF WRITING

Author's Purpose

It's as easy as P.I.E.

Author's Purpose Basics

Different reading passages are written for different purposes. Knowing the kind of passage you are reading helps you to identify the

author’s purpose.

An author’s purpose usually falls into one of three major categories.

Writing to Inform

The author provides factual information in a balanced manner.

• If there are two sides to an issue, the author presents both sides and

leaves it up to the reader to draw a conclusion.

• Informative writing usually contains facts.

• Examples: news articles, nonfiction, directions

Multiple Select

Check all the examples of informative writing.

• newspaper

• textbook

• fairy tale

• advertisement

• washing instructions

Writing to Persuade

The author wants to influence or persuade the reader to think, believe, or act in a certain way.

• The author might encourage the reader to do something.

• Persuasive writing usually contains opinions or suggestions.

• Example: editorial, advertisement

Multiple Select

Check all the examples of persuasive writing.

• Advertisement

• Textbook

• Play

• opinion article

Writing to Entertain

Some authors want to entertain their readers – to make them laugh,

cry, feel suspense, or otherwise enjoy their reading.

• Entertaining pieces of writing may tell personal stories or teach a

lesson.

• Example: stories, plays, poems

Multiple Select

Check all the examples of entertainment writing.

• Novel

• Play

• Poem

• Textbook

• Presidential Speech

Multiple Choice

fictions stories, poems, songs, plays, jokes, and narratives are examples of:

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain

Multiple Choice

HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Braxton Pet Store, Northwood Mall: We have a large selection of hamsters for sale this week. They are interesting pets and you will enjoy having one. They are only $ 17.99 this week. Come and buy yours today! 

• to Inform
• to Entertain
• to Persuade

Multiple Choice

In an advertisement, the author's purpose is to:

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain

Multiple Choice

In a textbook, the author's purpose is to:

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain

Multiple Choice

In a newspaper articles, the author's purpose is to:

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain

Multiple Choice

Joe had been fishing for over two hours without a single bite. Suddenly there was a nibble at the end of his fishing line.  He stood up on the boat and leaned out too far.  Just then there was a sharp yank on the line.  Joe fell overboard and landed head first into the water. Joe and his friends laughed and laughed.

• to Inform
• to Entertain
• to Persuade

Multiple Choice

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, Shelton, CA 74836 

• to Inform
• to Entertain
• to Persuade

Multiple Choice

A public service announcement telling kids to stay in school 

• explain
• describe
• inform
• persuade

Multiple Choice

An “X-men” comic book.

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain

Multiple Choice

What is the author's purpose?
A note from your friend asking you to be his science partner.

• Entertain
• Inform
• Persuade

Multiple Choice

What is the author's purpose?
A recipe to make an award-winning spicy chicken salad.

• Entertain
• Inform
• Persuade

Multiple Choice

Entertain means...

• To make people scared
• To make people sad
• To make people enjoy something
• To go to the circus

Multiple Choice

Inform means...

• Give informal speech
• Give information
• Take the form
• Give in a form

Multiple Choice

Persuade means...

• Make people agree with you
• Make people angry
• Make people think the opposite thing
• Make people fall in love

Multiple Choice

An author's purpose is...

• the reason an author writes
• the way the author sees and interprets the world

• author's sense of humor
• author's way of life. 

Multiple Choice

Persuade means...

• Make people agree with you
• Make people angry
• Make people think the opposite thing
• Make people fall in love

Multiple Choice

Entertain means...

• To make people scared
• To make people sad
• To make people enjoy something
• To go to the circus

Multiple Choice

what does inform mean?

• to convince

• to give facts 
• to have fun
• to tell about something

Multiple Choice

When an author writes to persuade , it means the author is:

• trying to give you information to teach you the facts.

• trying to make you enjoy the story be keeping the reader's attention.

• trying to get you to do or try something.

• trying to see if you are paying attention.

Multiple Choice

When an author's purpose is to inform, it means the author is

• trying to make you enjoy the story by keeping the reader's attention.

• trying to give you information and teach you facts.

• trying to get you to do or try something.

• trying to see if you are paying attention.

Multiple Choice

Which could you use to Persuade somebody?

• A non-fiction textbook

•  A poem
• A cookbook
• An advertisement