Author's Purpose

SPI 0401.8.7 Identify the author’s purpose (e.g., to entertain, to inform, to persuade, to share feelings).

Common Core

W.4.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
 

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Rules

Authors write for many reasons. Some of the following are:

to entertain
Entertain means to amuse someone.

fictional stories, comics, poems, jokes, riddles
to inform
Inform means to give someone information about something

news reports, research papers, encyclopedias, school news letters, instructions, pamphlets from health clinics, maps, timelines, schedules, charts, graphs
to persuade
Persuade means to try to convince someone to think the same way you do.

advertisements, newspaper editorials, junk mail, posters
to share feelings
Sharing feelings means to tell the reader what you are thinking.

journals, diaries, letters

 

Practice

Read each of the following writings. Decide the author's purpose for writing each text. On the blank after each selection write persuade, inform, entertain, or share ideas.

  1. Grizelda's Directions for Making a Dragon

Place the following items into a cauldron over a hot fire:

moondust and mildew
toad tongues
Bat wings
fireflowers
wormwood
eye of a newt

Stir until the mixture smells of sulphur. Add a lizard and repeat these magical words.

Powers of the deep and dark, 
Grizelda calls! Send me your spark- 
Use my hate to fuel this fire; 
Let it work my heart's desire. 
Let King lose child, as I lost mine, 
Let him drink revenge's bitter wine. 
Raise the dragon, Raise him now, 
To fill Grizelda's hate-born vow! 

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1. Buy this magical stuffed dragon. Piper is a fanciful green plush dragon. His tummy and horns have orange scales. Piper has pearl-colored wings. He is soft and cuddly. For just $16.49 you can have this extraordinary dragon today.

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1. Tyrannosaurus Rex means tyrant lizard. This 40 feet long, 15 to 20 foot tall beast weighed 5 to 7 tons. During the Cretaceous Period the large pointed teeth of this meat eater terrorized the other dinosaurs.

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1.  

    For Sale


    Frilly pink dress
    Over forty buttons
    Layers of Lace
    Worn by Princess Wilhelmina
    Slightly Damaged
    Half Off the Original Price
     
    		 

    Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  2. To  make your own dragon you will need construction paper, scissors, a crimper, markers, tape, and feathers. First draw the head and tail of your dragon on two different pieces of construction paper. Cut the head and tail out and then decorate them with feathers and markers. For the body take a third piece of paper and run it through a crimper. To assemble tape the head to the body and the body to the tail.

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1.  March 1230
    Young Brian and I set out to slay the dragon that has scaring the peasants in the Forest of Wonder. My armor is rusty and squeaks. My spirits are high and I am ready for this adventure.

    Author's Purpose  ____________________________

     

  2. The Toaster

    A silver-scaled dragon with jaws flaming red
    Sits at my elbow and toasts my bread.
    I hand him fat slices, and then, one by one,
    He hands them back when he sees they are done.

    --William Jay Smith

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1. Forecast for King Mildred's Kingdom
    Colder air will work into the region Tuesday. A slight chance of rain may fall in the Forest of Wonder on Wednesday, but will taper off by the weekend. Temperatures will be milder by Friday with plenty of sunshine for the peasants to get out and enjoy.
     

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1.  
 

Reward

Half King Mildred's Kingdom &
His Daughter's Hand in Marriage

for the Brave Knight that
Can Slay the Dragon
 

Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  1.     I was camping in the Forest of Wonder with my dad. We sat that night, huddled around the orange flames of a fire. I ate the sweet, juicy, tender bird we had caught. I looked at the luscious green forest and sighed in satisfaction. . . . .

    Author's Purpose  ____________________________

  2.  
     
    King Mildred's Service
    		 Sir Pentamon
    Head Knight

    Small jobs are my specialty.

    Back trouble
    Can't lift heavy objects.
    Can find at
    King Mildred's Castle
    Located Next to the Forest of Wonder
    		 
       

    Author's Purpose  ____________________________

     

    		  
  3. Dear Wilhelmina,

         I miss you terribly. Please come home. I'm sure I can convince your father to wait a while before choosing a husband. I am afraid you will be hurt out in the Forest of Wonder on your own. I love you.

    Sincerely,
    Mom

 

 

Answer Key

  1. Directions - to inform
  2. Advertisement - to persuade
  3. Report - to inform
  4. Sale Advertisement - to persuade
  5. Instructions - to inform
  6. Journal Entry - to share feelings
  7. Poem - to entertain
  8. Forecast - to inform
  9. Wanted Poster - to inform
  10. Short Story - to entertain
  11. Business Card - to inform
  12. Letter - to share feelings or to persuade