Author's Purpose Assessment

2. When you open the 5-piece drum set you received as a birthday gift from your grandparents, you find a booklet that names each piece, tells you how to put it together, and provides instructions on how to play each piece. What was the author's purpose for writing the booklet?

• persuade
• inform
• entertain
• explain

3. You want a dog, but your parents are totally against the idea. You decide to impress them by writing a list of twenty reasons why getting a puppy is a good idea for your family. What is your purpose for writing the list?

• persuade
• inform
• entertain
• explain

James woke up with a start. He knew there was something he wanted to remember. He rubbed his eyes and looked around his room. Suddenly, it occurred to him: today was his birthday! “Mom! Mom!” he called out. “It’s today!” His mother opened his door slowly. “Look out the window, James.” James leapt out of bed and ran to the window. There in the driveway was the most beautiful unicorn he had ever seen. “She’s all yours, James,” his mother said.
The author most likely wrote this selection to - 

• Explain how to get your very own unicorn. 
• Inform the reader about the best birthday ever.
• Entertain with a story about a boy's birthday present. 
• Persuade you to have a birthday party. 

The author's purpose is to

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain

What is the author's purpose for writing this paragraph?

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain

Dear Edith, 
Pets should be allowed in restaurants. I brought my dog to dinner, and the waiter threw us out. He said that dogs were dirty, but my dog is cleaner than many people. I know! It's not fair - it's a ridiculous rule, and it should be changed.

• to persuade
• to inform
• to entertain
• to explain

Welcome to National Park
Watch for signs along the trail. They will tell you about the trees, plants, and animals that live here. The trail is six miles long and takes the average person two hours to hike. There are two rest stops along the way. 

• to persuade
• to inform
• to entertain
• to explain

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

What is the author's purpose of this writing?

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain

A boy asks his father, "Dad, are bugs good to eat?"

"That's disgusting - don't talk about things like that over dinner, " the dad replies.

After dinner the father asks, "Now, son, what did you want to ask me?"

"Oh, nothing," the boy says. "There was a bug in your soup, now it's gone."

What is the author's purpose of this writing?

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain

The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters. 

What is the author's purpose of this writing?

• Persuade

• Inform

• Entertain

• Explain