AUTHOR’S pURPOSE and Satire

Author’s Purpose The author’s purpose is the main reason that he/she has for writing the selection. The author’s purpose will be one or a combination of the following: P.I.E. To persuade To inform To entertain

Author’s Purpose Other words used to describe purpose  -to express -to offer -to describe -to explain -to tell -to analyze -to create -to show -to criticize

The Value in Analyzing Author’s Purpose Identifying author's purpose is an important reading strategy. Whether you are reading fiction or non-fiction texts, it is important you learn to efficiently identify the author's purpose. This will help you improve reading comprehension, develop more discerning judgment, and encourage a critical eye. Look for clues to help you decide what the tone and mood are, and that usually helps you decide what the purpose is Further, you are less likely to accept a writer's perspective without first deeply considering the issues discussed. You should not accept being mere consumers of text but, rather, interpreters of information.

How P.O.V. Affects Author’s Purpose An author brings his or her own unique feelings and opinions to the table when writing; this will shape his or her purpose. In some stories, especially those aiming to persuade, an author’s bias (the way he or she feels about a subject) comes through the writing.

How Tone Reflects Author’s Purpose An author’s choice of words help to reveal his or her tone (attitude) towards a subject. An author’s tone could be amused, bitter, infuriated, scathing, cynical, satirical, OR neutral depending on how he or she feels and what words he or she selects. Tone helps reveal the author’s purpose. If an author uses angry, emotional words, the author’s purpose is most likely to PERSUADE us to be on his or her side regarding a subject/issue. If an author uses words with neutral connotation and speaks objectively, the author’s purpose may be to simply INFORM.

How Author’s Purpose Connects to Theme The theme (insight about life or human nature) is communicated throughout the story and is very closely linked to the author’s purpose. For example, if an article is simply meant to INFORM, the author is probably not conveying a theme. If a story is meant to ENTERTAIN, it may also be PERSUADING us to accept a theme about life. If a story is satirical or cautionary, it may be more aggressively PERSUADING us to accept its theme.

Applying Author's Purpose to Non-fiction Passages Look for clues to determine author's purpose. Carefully analyze word choice, transitions, and sentence structure (which help you understand TONE AND MOOD) to determine the author's purpose for writing a particular text. MAKE INFERENCES and read in between the lines. For example, if the writer uses a variety of negatively connoted words such as detest, unimpressive, desist, questionable or scathing, he may be trying to CONVINCE or PERSUADE the reader to negatively view the subject. Conversely, if the writer cites reliable resources, incorporates direct quotes, and uses factual words and phrases including one research study revealed, was stated, or the final step is, chances are he is TRYING TO INFORM readers rather than persuade them.

Considering Author's Purpose in Fiction Passages Most often, the purpose of fiction is to entertain the reader. Sometimes, however, the author uses fiction to make a political statement, such as Animal Farm, a satire by George Orwell, or a social statement like “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut Other times, the author wants to persuade readers to take action or contribute to a specific cause. In poetry, an author's purpose is to most likely elicit a specific feeling (mood) in the reader, such as sympathy, joy, or love. Poets and fiction writers alike often attempt to create a specific mood in their writing which may include humor, suspense, suffering, or curiosity.

Satire Satire is a very powerful genre of art and literature. The creator’s purpose is to warn us of a societal flaw and encourage us to bring about a change. It works by ridiculing a person, group, or society at large. The intent is to shame individuals (or society itself) into improvement. Satire is often funny, but it has a greater purpose – to use wit as a weapon.

Strategies of Satire Verbal irony (sarcasm) – saying one thing but meaning the exact opposite Parody – an imitative work created to mock an original work Exaggeration – representing something in an excessive manner.

Satire in Literature 1984 by George Orwell Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury Anthem by Ayn Rand Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Satire in Pop Culture

Satire in Pop Culture

Interpreting Satire Satire often combines anger with humor; this can easily be misunderstood (as irony often is). Example: condemnations of shows as being “offensive” or “taking it too far” when they are meant to satirize a social issue, not agree with it. Example: Shows like South Park interpreted as promoting hate when their purpose is to address taboo issues in culture (anti- semitism, political correctness, homophobia, etc.)

Author’s Purpose in Practice As we view each media clip, decide if the purpose of the clip is to persuade, inform, or entertain. Clip #1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeutC1WN6dc – Clip #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alP1ypEEYH8 Clip #3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofF48-pUFUo

Free Write Write for 10 minutes on the topic “technology in school” Choose a purpose to keep in mind as you write  persuade, inform, entertain Switch with a person near you Read your classmates free write Label your classmate’s writing (P, I, or E) Underline specific sentences in the writing that caused you to choose that label Be ready to share!