1. Using Genres & Subgenres to Determine an Author’s Purpose
Genres Unit
Part 3

2. After this Lesson…
Students will identify the author’s purpose and justify their reasoning using context clues from the genre and subgenre.

3. What is an Author’s Purpose?
Every time a writer picks up a pen or pencil and puts it to paper, or begins typing on their keyboard, there is a reason for writing.
Three main purposes for writing:
To inform
To persuade
To entertain

4. To Inform
Some authors set out to inform their readers. Author’s will conduct research and write their findings and facts to help readers learn something new.
Genres & Subgenres that inform
Non-Fiction
Informational writing
Biography
Autobiography
Folklore
Fable

5. To Persuade
Some authors choose to write to try to convince readers to share their thoughts or beliefs.
Genres & Subgenres that persuade
Non-fiction
Persuasive Writing

6. To Entertain
Some authors decide to provide entertainment for their readers.
Genres & Subgenres that entertain:
Fiction
historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and realistic fiction
Folklore
tall tale, myth, legend, fairy tale
Drama
comedy, tragedy

7. Each slide will describe a piece of writing. 2
Each slide will describe a piece of writing. 2. You will write the genre and subgenre in your notes. 3. You will decide if the author’s purpose was to inform, persuade, or entertain by writing it in the space provided .
Practice

8. 1 Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne
The story of a German professor who believes there are volcanic tubes going toward the center of the Earth. He, his nephew Axel, and their guide Hans climb down a crater and have many wild adventures, encountering dinosaurs and prehistoric man. They eventually return to surface again in southern Italy. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

9. 2 “Sleeping Beauty” retold by Charles Perrault
A beautiful princess pricks her finger on a sewing needle, after being cursed by a wicked fairy. The princess falls into a deep sleep. One hundred years later, a prince fights his way through the enchanted forest and awakens the beautiful sleeping princess with a kiss. They live happily ever after. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

10. 3 The Rise and Fall of Senator Joe McCarthy by James Cross Giblin
Joseph McCarthy was a senator during the cold war who accused many people of being “communists.” Many actors and directors were banned from working on movies because of McCarthy’s accusations. James Cross Giblin tells the true story of Joe McCarthy’s life, his rise to power and his downfall. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

11. 4 The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6 by School Specialty Publishing
The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills. Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key, this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

12. 5 “The Fox and the Grapes” retold by Aesop
One day a fox found a bunch of beautiful grapes hanging from a high branch. He backed up and took a running start, and jumped. He did not get high enough. He tried and tried, again and again, but he just couldn't get high enough to grab the grapes. Finally, he gave up. As he walked away, he put his nose in the air and said: "I am sure those grapes are sour." Moral: It is easy to hate what you cannot have. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

13. 6 Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
When resistance fighters assassinated the highest ranking Nazi officer in Czechoslovakia, Hitler sought revenge on the small village of Lidice. All 173 men and teenage boys were executed while the women were sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Wolf tells the heart-wrenching story of the fictional Milada, who is sent to a Lebensborn center and adopted by the commandant of Ravensbruck. This is an amazing, eye-opening story, masterfully written. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

14. 7 “Report Card Funds” by Herbert Jones
In this essay, Jones tries to convince parents to pay their students for earning good grades on their report cards. He tells parents many reasons why achievement should be tied to money. Genre: _________________________ Subgenre: _________________________ Author’s Purpose: To Inform To Persuade To Entertain

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