Author's Purpose and Style

Author's Purpose and Style

• Understand and analyze the historical details that contribute to the author's purpose.

• Understand and analyze the use of literary devices to create meaning

Lesson Objectives

Historical Context

• social structures

• cultural conflicts

• geographical issues

• values and beliefs that influence people's lives

The historical context of a work is the full set of societal situations that contribute to life in the place and times that are the focus of the text. This includes:

Historical Context

As part of the setting, the historical context can be central to the author's purpose and the message the speaker is trying to convey. Identify the important historical details and the reason the author included them, then determine the speaker's attitude towards these details.

Stylistic Devices

Writers use rhetorical and literary devices (like similes, metaphors, irony) to communicate ideas clearly and powerfully. Consider the effect of the device on the passage and the reader to determine the deeper meaning of the passage.

Stylistic Devices

​Device	​Purpose
​Simile: compares seemingly dissimilar things using an explicit word of comparison: like or as	​Conveys ideas in a fresh or unexpected ways; reveals the attitude of the speaker/author
​Metaphor: compares seemingly dissimilar things without using explicit comparison words	​​Conveys ideas in a fresh or unexpected ways; reveals the attitude of the speaker/author
​Irony: the contradiction between what appears to be true and what is true	​Causes the reader to question received ideas; examines preconceived notions.

Multiple Choice

The historical context is part of which element of literary?

• figurative language

• setting

• point of view

• characterization

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not an aspect of historical context? (Choose 4)

• social structures

• geographical issues

• weather patterns

• values and beliefs

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of which literary device?

Charles bought a brand new car that he has been saving up for, but even months later, he still walks to 10 miles to work every day.

• simile

• metaphor

• irony

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of which literary device?

After spinning around on the merry-go-round for 10 minutes, Lucy stumbles back to her mother, tripping over her own legs like a baby deer.

• simile

• metaphor

• irony

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of which literary device?

Thomas' grief after the loss of his dog burned in his chest, incinerating the last bit of happiness that he had left.

• simile

• metaphor

• irony