Author’s Purpose Grade 6

What is the author’s purpose? The author’s purpose is the MAIN REASON that he/she is writing the selection.

What is the author’s purpose? In literary text, a reader should be able to:  Identify and explain the author’s purpose  Determine the author’s audience  Explain how author’s use of words, sentences, and literary devices influences an audience

What is the author’s purpose? In informational text, a reader should be able to:  Identify and explain the author’s purpose  Determine the author’s target audience  Explain how author’s use of words and sentences influences an audience  Describe the intended effects of persuasive devices  Identify and explain when an author uses opinion to make a point

Why do we need to understand the author’s purpose?  It helps us make sense of what we read.  It helps us understand why authors write.  It help us tell apart fiction from non-fiction.  It helps us understand how to read a selection.  It allows us to think about techniques the author used.  It allows us to understand the author’s point of view.

Entertain To tell a story that amuses people PersuadeTo convince someone to do something, to convince someone to accept the author’s point of view Inform, Explain, Describe, or Demonstrate To provide accurate information Author’s Write To:

A Clever Way to Remember Sometimes an acronym can help us remember important information. Try PIE to help you remember why author’s write. P - Persuade I - Inform E - Entertain

Description  To tell a story that allows the reader to experience an emotion (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, etc.)  Descriptive language  Interesting characters  Often written to teach a lesson Entertain

Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved to play soccer. He would run as fast as he could to the ball, but every time he got there and tried to kick it he would miss. He started to think he wasn't very good at soccer, but he didn't give up. His hard work paid off and one day he scored the winning goal for his team. Entertain

Once upon a time there was a little boy who loved to play soccer. He would run as fast as he could to the ball, but every time he got there and tried to kick it he would miss. He started to think he wasn't very good at soccer, but he didn't give up. His hard work paid off and one day he scored the winning goal for his team. Entertain

Description  To convince someone to do, think or believe something  To agree with the author’s point of view (to see and agree with the author’s beliefs) Persuade

Art class should be longer than all other specials. There never seems to be enough time to get our pictures done. If we had more time in art class everyone would do a better job on their pictures and we would learn more. Art is very important and we should have the time we need to finish a project. Persuade

Art class should be longer than all other specials. There never seems to be enough time to get our pictures done. If we had more time in art class everyone would do a better job on their pictures and we would learn more. Art is very important and we should have the time we need to finish a project. Persuade

Explain / Inform Description  Accurate information  Specific facts  Explain how to do something  Give directions

Making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is really easy. First, gather your ingredients (bread, peanut butter, jelly) and two knives. Spread the peanut butter on one slice of bread and your jelly on the other. Put the bread together and enjoy! Explain / Inform

Making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is really easy. First, gather your ingredients (bread, peanut butter, jelly) and two knives. Spread the peanut butter on one slice of bread and your jelly on the other. Put the bread together and enjoy! Explain / Inform

If the author is telling a story, his purpose is probably to ____________. If the author is giving opinions, his purpose is probably to ____________. If the author is telling facts, his purpose is probably to ____________. What’s the Purpose?

Read each paragraph and decide what the author’s purpose is. Try It!

We have a new playground at our school. We had to raise a lot of money to build our new playground. We sold candy bars, coupon books, and wrapping paper. The class who raised the most money was the first to play on the playground. ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE

One day a beautiful princess was walking down the street hoping to find her prince. She looked high and low and finally gave up. On her way home she found a lonely little frog. She picked him up and began to talk to him telling him all her problems. When she was done she said good-bye to the frog and gave him a kiss on top of his head. Before her very eyes appeared the man of her dreams and they lived happily ever after. ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE

Every child should play a sport. When you are on a team you learn to get along with everyone and work together for a common goal. Team work is the best lesson anyone can learn. This is why I believe every child should be on a team. ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE

ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She met and married Almanzo James Wilder in She published many books based on her travels to the west. Her writing became the basis for the " Little House" series. She died in 1957.

Thomas was not happy one little bit. His sister, Susan was making honor roll again. His parents would allow her to do anything she wanted to do. Thomas was not making honor roll this time and he was not going to be allowed to do all the things he wanted to do. Poor Thomas! He would just have to study harder and get back on the honor roll. ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE

Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $ Send your check to P.O.Box 00002, Shelton, CA ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE

ENTERTAIN INFORM / EXPLAIN PERSUADE The spider is considered an arachnid and not an insect. This is because insects have only six legs, while arachnids have eight legs. Spiders range in size from tiny dots to the size of a large grapefruit. Many are colored in shades of black or brown, but some are brightly colored.

You Do  Read the following articles.  Identify the author’s purpose for writing each. Provide at least one piece of evidence for your thinking.  A Hungry Ferret  Drinking Water: Bottled or From the Tap?  The Old Grey House

You Show  Read the following articles.  Identify the author’s purpose for writing each. Provide at least one piece of evidence for your thinking.  Ooze in the Jungle  Preserve Our Rainforest  Rainforests