Author’s Purpose and Theme Vocabulary

Purpose the intended goal of a piece of writing; the reason a person writes

Stated Purpose Declared, explicit purpose Explicit- stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.

Implied Purpose - an indirect, implicit purpose Implicit-not plainly expressed

Types of Author’s Purposes Inform- Author gives fact Explain- Tells you how to do something Entertain- Tells a story that can be fiction or nonfiction. Does not have to be funny. Persuade- Tries to convince you

Theme The central or universal idea of a piece of fiction or the main idea of a nonfiction essay a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a literary work. For example– the theme for “Zebra Riding Cowboy,” was judging others by their looks.