Author's Purpose and Text Structure

Author's Purpose and Text Structure

• Understand the relationship between an author's purpose and the chosen text structure.

• Determine the purpose and structure of a passage.

• Determine the appropriate structure for a particular purpose.

Lesson Objectives

Author's Purpose

An author's purpose is their reason for writing. These reasons could be:

• to inform

• to explain

• to persuade

• to entertain

Text Structure

An author will structure or organize his or her thoughts to effectively communicate the purpose of the text.

• Chronological Order

• Cause and Effect

• Problem and Solution

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Question and Answer

Text Structure - Chronological Order

An author will structure important events in the order in which they occurred or will occur. Example:

In order to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you first need to purchase or gather the require materials: peanut butter, jelly, 2 slices of bread, knife, and a plate to prepare/serve the sandwich. Once you have the materials, place the bread slices side by side on the plate. Select either the peanut butter or jelly to spread first, use your knife to spread your selection on one slice of bread. Wash your knife before repeating that step with the next ingredient on the other slice. Place one slice of bread on top of the other with the condiments on the inside of the two slices. Clean up you work station. Then, you are able to enjoy your sandwich. 

Text Structure - Cause and Effect

An author will explain the relationship among ideas, how one thing is the result of another. Example:

Because the fall festival was a huge success last year, the school will make it an annual event to have community outreach and raise money for future activities. If we continue to have the same outcomes, then we will consider expanding the festival to include more schools in our area. 

Text Structure - Problem and Solution

An author will outline an issue along with one or more options that may address or resolve that issue. Example:

I can't believe that it is raining this badly. We won't be able to go to the state fair today, but we can go next weekend when the weather is not so bad. 

Text Structure - Main Idea and Supporting Details

An author will make a claim then provide evidence and examples to support that claim. Example:

Cooking is a mix between art and science. It takes time to intricately plan all of the little details of a meal. A chef needs to craft and delicately tend to each step of the cooking process to create their masterpiece. But during that creation, measurements are taken to ensure the proper chemical reactions are happening to appeal to the palate of the ones who will consume the food. 

Text Structure - Question and Answer

An author will pose a question and attempt to answer it within the remainder of the text. Example:

Have you ever wondered why technology has become so advanced? Since the invention of the wheel, humans have been finding ways to complete simple tasks to fulfill a need to make life simpler. As technology became more advanced, humans have resorted to create technology for convenience and not solely out of necessity... Now, it is not just convenience that we are after, but the need to have the latest and greatest technology. The technology field now caters to the consumer-driven world in which we live, producing whatever will make a profit and entertain the masses, if only for a little while. 

​Text Structure	​Purpose Supported
​Chronological Order	​to entertain (telling a story) or to inform (relating historical events)
​Cause and Effect	​to explain the relationship among ideas
Problem and Solution​	​to persuade the audience to adopt a particular solution
Main Idea and Supporting Details​	to inform or to persuade​
​Question and Answer	to inform, to explain, or to persuade​

A text structure can support one or multiple purposes. So the author must be sure to select the right one to achieve the desired effect on the reader.

Multiple Choice

Another word for purpose is reason.

• True

• False

Match

Match the following text structures to its possible supported purpose.

• Chronological Order

• Cause and Effect

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

to entertain (telling a story)

to explain the relationship among ideas

to inform

to persuade an audience of a solution

to explain

• to entertain (telling a story)

• to explain the relationship among ideas

• to inform

• to persuade an audience of a solution

• to explain

Multiple Choice

A landlord must draft a letter to his tenet explaining why they must move out by the end of the week. Which text structure would be best to outline the reason for the eviction?

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

A student must persuade his professor to give him an extension on his final essay. Which text structure would be best for him to draft this proposal?

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

An activist wants to raise money to improve the conditions of the animals in the city zoo. Which text structure would be best to appeal to potential donors?

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

A filmmaker wants to make a documentary about the evolution of the civilization of an indigenous tribe in Tanzania. Which text structure would be best to tell this story?

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

Lawmakers have been asked many times about a decision they made to increase taxes to fund various projects throughout the state. Which text structure would be best to address the concerns of their citizens?

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

What is the text structure of the passage below?

My favorite author of all-time is Jodi Picoult. Though her early writing is a bit sporadic and cliched, her most recent novels tell heart-rending stories that highlight social issues in our country. House Rules takes on the issue of neurodivergence; Mad Honey looks at transgender issues; Small Great Things focuses on race and prejudice; and 19 Minutes brings up the issue of gun control and school shootings. Not only are the issues relevant, but she criticizes the way our country has handled these issues and the legal system that fails to serve justice to victims. This, and the fact the none of the stories ever end the way I anticipate, compels me to read every novel that Jodi Picoult has written to broaden my understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live.

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

What is the text structure of the passage below?

After her mother died in childbirth, Ella was raised by her loving father who wanted to give her everything she could ever need or wanted. One thing he believed Ella needed was a mother. Soon after he married, he unfortunately died, leaving Ella to live with her new stepmother and her two awful daughter. Soon after her father's death, Ella was forced to become a maid in her own home. Then, when she was 18, the prince of the realm held a ball to find his new bride. Ella secretly attended the ball against her stepmother's wishes and captured the heart of the prince. After they were forced apart, the prince searched the entire kingdom until he found Ella. They were married immediately and lived happily ever after.

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order

Multiple Choice

What is the text structure of the passage below?

Great Britain taxed the colonists mercilessly, forced them to abide by laws they did not agree upon, and made them provided housing for soldiers who were supposed to protect them but instead abused them. Tired of the ill treatment, in 1776, the American colonies decided to revolt against Great Britain beginning the American Revolution. As a result of the mistreatment they faced with their former government, lawmakers created rules to ensure that they would never experience the same oppression again. Today, taxes are voted upon by citizens, laws are made by representatives of the people, and thanks to the 3rd amendment, no citizen will be forced to provide housing for any soldier.

• Main Idea and Supporting Details

• Problem and Solution

• Question and Answer

• Cause and Effect

• Chronological Order