Wayground
Author's Purpose - Printable English Worksheets class 3 - Wayground

Author's Purpose

13 questions

3rd - 3rd Grade

English

This Grade 3 English worksheet helps students identify an author's purpose: to persuade, inform, or entertain. It begins with a definition of author's purpose and then provides 13 multiple-choice questions using short narratives, informational passages, nonfiction, advertisements, survey information, and promotional text. Students must use the writer's goal and the details or language in each selection to choose the best purpose. The varied examples help students apply the skill beyond memorizing three terms. They identify entertainment in stories, information in factual descriptions and reports, and persuasion in advertisements and opinion-based messages. Teachers can use the worksheet for guided practice, independent work, review, or a quick formative check after introducing author's purpose. This free printable worksheet is designed for Grade 3 learners and includes a complete answer key for efficient checking.

Worksheet settings

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Author's Purpose

Total questions: 13

Name
Class
Date
1.
An author's purpose is...
a)
the reason an author writes
b)
the reason an author teaches
c)
author's sense of humor
d)
author's way of life. 
2.
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.
a)
to persuade
b)
to inform
c)
to entertain
3.
Once upon a time, there was a sad dragon. People were afraid of him because he breathed fire. So, one day, he bought a bid bag of marshmallows, got some sticks, and put up a sign: "Free Marshmallow Roast." No one was afraid if him anymore.
a)
to persuade
b)
to inform
c)
to entertain
4.
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. 
a)
to persuade
b)
to inform
c)
to entertain
5.
In a non-fiction book, the author's purpose is to:
a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Entertain
6.
Advertisements are created to:
a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Entertain
7.
The author wants to amuse you or for you to enjoy the writing.
a)
Persuade
b)
Inform
c)
Entertain
8.
Do you want to be an artist? Just enroll in "The Awesome Artists" program. Don't let this opportunity or your talent slip away. We guarantee you will be painting like the masters in two weeks for a low cost of $59.95.
What is the author's purpose?
a)
to entertain you with a story about artists
b)
to teach you how all artists become famous
c)
to persuade you to attend an art program
d)
to explain how to paint a sunset
9.
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?
a)
to entertain you witha story about a boy who worked hard
b)
to teach how to play basketball
c)
to persuade you to try out for the basketball team
d)
to explain the rules of basketball
10.
In a recent survey of parents of children in grades 1-8, more than half of the parents agreed that students are overburdened with homework. These parents favored mandating less homework in local schools.
a)
persuade
b)
describe
c)
explain
d)
inform
11.
My Dog Miles One day, my dog, Miles, decided he had enough of living with our cat, Theo. He packed his doggie biscuits, his favorite toys, and hit the road. Life on the road was not as easy as he had expected. No one fed him, and many people ignored him completely. He was not used to this kind of treatment. After a few hours of hunger and loneliness, Miles decided to come back home. As soon as he walked in the door, we all pounced on him, giving him hugs and his favorite foods. Miles smiled and howled, “There really is no place like home.” 
What is the author’s purpose?
a)
entertain
b)
persuasive
c)
inform
12.

For the three days in April, people from around the world come to villages in China to celebrate the New Year at the Water Splashing Festival. Women wear yellow and pink

dresses and participate in traditional dancing. Children carve water toys out of bamboo and play with hoses in the streets. Other people race dragon boats across the river and float

paper boats throughout the village. The festival is a tradition of the Dai community, who live in Southern China.

What's the Author’s Purpose?

a)

Persuade

b)

Inform

c)

Entertain

13.
The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to loose pounds and inches from your body in one month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video to show you the proper way to exercise. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today. 
a)
to Inform
b)
to Entertain
c)
to Persuade
Answer Key

Author's Purpose

Total questions: 13

1.
a) the reason an author writes
2.
a) to persuade
3.
c) to entertain
4.
b) to inform
5.
b) Inform
6.
a) Persuade
7.
c) Entertain
8.
c) to persuade you to attend an art program
9.
a) to entertain you witha story about a boy who worked hard
10.
d) inform
11.
a) entertain
12.
b)

Inform

13.
c) to Persuade

Browse by subjects

Browse by grades

Browse by format

FAQs

What does this author's purpose worksheet cover?

This Grade 3 worksheet gives students 13 multiple-choice items focused on identifying whether a writer's purpose is to persuade, inform, or entertain. Students apply the categories to stories, nonfiction and factual passages, advertisements, survey information, and promotional messages, building the ability to infer a writer's goal from the text.

How can I use this worksheet to teach author's purpose?

Introduce the three purposes with a simple class anchor chart, then model how clues in one short passage reveal the writer's goal. Have students explain why an advertisement or opinion argues for an action, why a factual passage provides information, and why a narrative is meant to entertain before assigning the remaining multiple-choice items independently or in pairs.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this worksheet?

Students may choose a purpose based on the topic rather than the writer's goal—for example, selecting inform because an advertisement mentions a product, even though it urges readers to buy it. They may also confuse entertaining stories with informational passages, or select persuade for a factual report simply because the subject could lead to an opinion. Ask students to point to wording or details that support each choice.

How do I assign and grade this author's purpose worksheet?

This worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, with a complete answer key covering all 13 multiple-choice questions. For printable submissions, you can scan student work with the Wayground for Teachers app to help grade responses efficiently. The printable format also offers an option for schools that want to reduce screen time.

How do students identify the author's purpose in the passages and advertisements?

Students can look for the text's main action: stories such as the dragon and Miles passages are written to entertain, factual descriptions and reports provide information, and advertisements or opinion messages encourage a belief or action. Comparing these clues across the worksheet helps students distinguish purpose from subject matter—for instance, an art program or exercise machine is presented to persuade, not simply to inform.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support mastery of essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

© 2026 Wayground Inc.

Accessibility and Inclusion