Author's Purpose in Middle School

What is author's purpose?

• Author's purpose refers to how the author organizes the information in the text.
• An author's purpose is the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic.
• An author's purpose states the main idea and supporting details.
• Author's purpose refers to the author's choice of graphical elements.

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What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain you with a story about artists
• to inform you how all artists become famous
• to persuade you to attend an art program
• to explain how to paint a sunset

The Food Group Pyramid tells how to eat healthy. It shows how food is divided into six groups. It is important to eat foods that belong to each group every day. The pyramid helps show how much of each you should eat.
What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain you with a story about pyramids
• to inform you about the Food Group Pyramid
• to persuade you to eat vegetables
• to explain how to go shopping for food

Ted was anxious to try out for the basketball team. He had practiced and knew he was ready. Tryouts made him a little nervous, but when he found out he made the team he knew that all the work had paid off.
What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain with a story about a boy who worked hard
• to inform someone how to play basketball
• to persuade you to try out for the basketball team
• to explain the rules of basketball

Beth and her mom went to the circus. This was a special day because she had never been to a circus before. They bought peanuts and went to their seats. She saw clowns, jugglers, and people on trapezes. There were elephants, lions, and tigers. It was a very exciting day for Beth. 
What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain with a story about a girl who enjoyed the circus
• to inform you about the animals in the circus
• to persuade you to visit the circus
• to explain how much it costs to attend the circus

It's important to go to school. What you learn in school will help you later in life. It will also help you get a job. If you work hard in school and make good grades, you may be able to go to college and have a career.
What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain with a story about school
• to inform you how to get good grades
• to persuade you to work hard in school
• to explain the best colleges

Rules are very important. They help keep things running smoothly. Rules let you know what you can and cannot do whether you are playing a game or explaining how to act in class. You should follow rules; they help people get along.
What is the author's purpose?

• to entertain with a story about people who follow the rules
• to inform about the rules of games
• to persuade people to follow the rules
• to explain the rules of chess

An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain
• Explain

A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world.

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain
• Explain

An “X-men” comic book.

• Persuade
• Inform
• Entertain
• Explain