Determining the Author's Purpose Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RI.2.6

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

In today's world we often bombarded with media. So much so that we don't have time to tell what's real and what isn't. It helps to dissect why a writer created a piece in the first place. Was an article written to persuade the reader to make a decision? Was a piece created to sway your thought process? Was the piece written to be objective and provide both sides of the argument? Being able to dissect the author's purpose and motivation for writing is a big deal in today's media landscape. It seems like many forms of media have a hidden purpose. Having the ability to recognize an author's motivation offers you a sense of establishing trust and will ultimately indicate to you the weight behind the information you are reading. These worksheets will help students learn to evaluate the goal of the author.

Determining the Author's Purpose Worksheets:

Pandas - Some pandas like to be entertained and others like to be informed. Reading each of these three reading entries and see if you can understand why the author wrote these passages.

Fall Leaves - When are they red, yellow, and orange? We have the color indicate the purpose behind each passage.

Medusa - A little Greek mythology is always fun. Don't look at her! See if you can find the purpose behind each passage.

Fiction and Nonfiction - We have you write for purpose and use your imagination now. It's all about writing about trains.

Giraffes - You might need to do some research for this one. We give you another go with this topic.

Caveman Experience - Again, some research might be the key. I would guess that it is not all clubs and fire.

Identifying Types of Text - Identify the different types of text. Write persuasive, informative, entertaining to descriptive.

Types of Text - This four-door sedan is blue with a camel-colored interior. It has four cup-holders and a super sound system so that you can travel in style.

Types of Writing - Choose a topic. Then write a short paragraph about your topic in that style. For extra credit write a second passage in a different style.

Different Types of Writing - The text extracts below could have come from any of the following different types of writing: instructions, explanations, poems, myths, fables, novels or arguments.

What's your favorite animal? - Do some research about your favorite animal. Then write a few sentences about that animal in each box.

Finish It Up - We give you the first sentence, you give us the rest. You will write for purpose by reading the opening sentence. Imagine how the paragraph might continue if it is the first sentence in a piece of fiction. In the first box, write the rest of the paragraph as fiction. In the second box, write the rest of the paragraph as informative text.

Getting Housed - Write a few sentences to persuade someone to buy the house. Write a few sentences to persuade someone to buy the house.

Five To Choose From - Identify each type of writing below. There is an author's purpose box to help you along.

Ants - Who doesn't love ants? Write something you might read in a fiction and non-fiction book about ants.

Checklist - Ask yourself the following questions and your answers to these questions will point you towards understanding why it was written.

Choice of Books - Choose a book that you have read. Explain why the author wrote it, and how you know.

What Were They Thinking? - Put a check mark next to each characteristic that you found in the reading. When you are finished, say what you think about the work.

Scissor Time - Cut and paste into the correct columns.

The Spinner - 1. Print the page on card stock. Cut out the wheel and the pointer. 2. Attach the pointer to the wheel with a brass paper fastener. 3. Read short passages aloud to students. Have students spin the wheel and point to the purpose of each passage that you read.

Sentences and Paragraphs - Use this skill to breakdown the text that is coming your way.

Grab a Book - Pick up any book you want and give it a read, then use this worksheet.

How I Know... - Choose two books that you have read. Explain why the author wrote it, and how you know.

The Eviddence Trail - You will cite the reasons that you understand the intent of the author.

Inform, Persuade, or Entertain - Why in the world did they write this?

Text Types - Sort each type of text into the correct column.

Text Types/Features - Match each text type and the text features to the different reasons that a writer might use it to get their point across to their audience.

Which of the Three? - Each of the following sentences describes a text. Read each sentence. Then match the description of the text to the reason a writer might use it.

To Persuade - Find a book that fits that view point of a writer.

Organizer - A great sheet to use to help quickly understand why a writer wrote something.

How to Determine the Author's Purpose For Writing a Piece

Every written piece has some sort of significance. The authors write for some specific reasons. It is important to understand the purpose of the author's writing piece. This is because the author is always trying to give some message to the readers. To completely understand the message and the significance of the writing, it is important to comprehend the purpose.


Here are three reasons why an author writes a piece.


Persuasion

One reason why an author writes is to persuade. An author tries to persuade the readers through writing. The persuasion can be for anything. It depends on the author. For this purpose, the author usually mentions as much evidence as possible in the piece. If you want to determine whether or not a piece is written for persuasion, take a deep look at the body of the text. Persuading writings usually contain a clear and defined thesis. It mentions all the valid reasons and strong arguments to persuade readers. It ends with a strong conclusion that leaves the readers wondering more about the topic.


Inform

Another reason why an author writes a piece is to inform. It occurs when the writer wants the readers to gain knowledge on a specific topic. Usually, the authors who write to inform are professionals in the field. If you want to identify if the piece is written for informational purpose, then conduct some research on the author. You can also tell by spotting facts and figures in text.


Entertain

The final purpose of writing a piece is to entertain. These texts are meant for enjoyment purposes. They help the reader in passing their time in a good way. Fiction comes under the purpose to entertain. The author mostly uses the narrative form of writing to entertain the readers.


How to Understand an Authors Reason for Writing a Piece?

Every writer writes for a reason. Authors express their interests and opinions through their writings. They want the world to know about their thoughts and ideas. Usually, there are three reasons why a writer writes. One is to persuade the audience on some topic. It might also include persuading you into doing some action. The second reason is to inform the readers. The author gives readers some information. Another reason is to entertain readers. This piece of writing mostly includes stories. If you ever start reading a piece and do not understand the purpose of it, then use the following points to make sense of the writing.


Pay attention to the facts and opinions

When you are reading the text, pay utmost attention on how the writer has arranged all the facts and figures. If the writing mostly consists of facts and figures, then it means that the purpose of the writing is to inform the readers about a specific thing. If the writer has molded his opinions as facts, then be sure that the purpose is to persuade you. Mostly a manipulative tone will be used to lure you into taking the desired action. However, if the writing does not consist of any facts, opinions, or any such thing, then the sole purpose of the writing is to entertain the readers.


Know about the author

Another great way to understand the author's reason to write is to read about the author. Usually, there are many missing pieces in the writing that can be understood by reading more about the personal and professional life of the author. You will get to know about the interests of the author and then you can connect the dots to understand the actual purpose of the writing.


Why Is This Important?

We live in an era of social media and popular culture that is often short on facts and long on hype. As time continue on, it is getting more difficult to understand what a fact is and what is an opinion related to loosely gathered facts. This fundamental notion of being able to discern what an author is trying to accomplish is the foundation on to which we can evaluate the sources that come our way. As we get more experience with this skill, we quickly understand that there are two or more sides to every story. We also begin to realize that healthy debate helps us move forward as people toward understand truth. We can expect new forms of media to present themselves over time, but the core fundamentals of how to interpret intentions does not change much at all. This is a great starting point for all students, and we hope to start them off well on their way to be media immersed adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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