Author's Purpose

Jack got home from school and went about his afternoon routine. First, he put his jacket in the closet. Then he took his backpack to his room, and changed his clothes. Next came the heartbreaking surprise. He went over to the fish bowl to fee his beta fish, only to find him floating lifeless at the top of the water. Ernie had died. He immediately called his mom at work. "Mom, I think Ernie is dead." "Oh, honey. I'm sorry. You've had him for 3 years now. Do you want to have a funeral for him when I get home from work?"

The author's primary purpose for this story is:

• To describe Jack's after school experience

• To inform readers of the risks of pet ownership

• To persuade readers to create an after school routine

You have just read a post online about a person's recent visit to a newly-opened restaurant in town. In the post, he goes into great detail about his experience there, starting with his first step into the restaurant and finding a tastefully decorated dining room with dim and calm lighting, and soft music playing. He then tells of the beauty, aroma, and superb flavor of the meal he enjoyed there.

The author's primary purpose for writing this post is:

• To inform readers of the menu at a new restaurant

• To persuade readers to try the new restaurant

• To inform readers what makes a new restaurant worth trying

You and your mom have decided to train for your first 5K road race. You google “How to train for your first 5K” and arrive at a website that shows correct running form, breathing guidelines, nutritional tips, and a complete 9-week training schedule.

The author’s primary purpose for make this website is:

• To explain to readers how to train properly for their first 5K

• To inform readers about 5K races

• To persuade readers to eat right

Pie is without question better than cake. First, pie has a wonderful butterky, flaky crust. When you bite into a piece of pie, you savor the perfect combination of flaky crust and sweet, oh-so-tasty filling. When you bite into a piece of cake, on the other hand, you just get mushiness with frosting on top. Furthermore, if you eat a fruit pie, you can claim that you are getting a daily serving of fruit!

The author’s primary purpose for the above statements is:

• To persuade readers that pie tastes better than cake

• To inform readers of the differences between pie and cake

• To describe to readers what cake tastes like

A tornado watch is different than a tornado warning. A tornado watch means that a tornado could develop given the current weather conditions, so people should be alert and make choices on outdoor activities with that in mind. A tornado warning, on the other hand, means that an actual tornado has been spotted or picked up on radar, so people should take cover immediately in a safe and sturdy place.

The author’s primary purpose for the above statements is:

• To persuade readers to be alert when a tornado watch is issued

• To persuade readers to take immediate action in a tornado

• To inform readers about the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning

Grace had been looking forward to a cold morning for several weeks. When it was time to leave for school, she gently removed her new winter coat from its hanger. She slipped one arm into the coat and felt its thickness and warmth instantly. She wrapped it around her back and then slipped her other arm into the other fuzz-filled sleeve. She took a deep breath and smelled its newness. Finally, she zipped up her coat, flipped the hood up, and simply enjoyed the warmth and coziness that surrounded her. Now she was ready to go!

The author’s primary purpose for the above statement is:

• To persuade the readers to purchase a new coat

• To describe to readers Grace’s experiences putting on her new coat

• To persuade the readers to wear a winter coat when it’s cold out

What are the possible purposes an author may have for writing?

• Persuade, Entertain, Defend, Decide

• Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain, Describe

• Persuade, Inform, Ensure, Explain, Decide