1. Determining Author’s Purpose
Nonfiction Reading
Determining Author’s Purpose

2. Author’s Purpose Determining the Author’s Purpose can help you:
Choose texts that match your purpose
Better understand what the author is trying to say
See what information is most important to the author
Realize why certain vocabulary or details are included
Consider what the author values or believes
Form your own thoughtful opinion about the topic

3. Prepare to Read Use the Nonfiction Strategies we have learned so far:
Know your purpose for reading this text
Preview the text features
Activate your background knowledge on this topic and adjust your reading strategies
Pay attention to the text structure as you begin reading

4. Question the Author As you read, consider the following questions:
Who is the author? Is he/she a knowledgeable, reliable source?
Where did the author get his/her information?
What is the author trying to teach me? What is the text mainly about?
What point is the author trying to make?
Why did the author include these facts, events, quotes, vocabulary, etc.?

5. Author’s Opinion
The author’s opinion is whatever the author believes or values about this topic
Sometimes the author is writing not just to inform, but to persuade the reader.
Ask yourself:
Does the author explain all sides of the issue?
Does the author seem slanted or biased?
Does the author use persuasive language?
Does the author express a strong opinion on this topic?
Noticing the author’s opinion can help you understand the text and begin to form your own opinion on the topic.

6. Record Your Thinking What is the Author’s Opinion? How do I Know?
(Text Evidence)

7. Written Response
What do you think the writer’s own opinions are about this topic? Give specific text evidence to support your answer.
Remember the 5 E’s!
Echo the question
Evidence from the text (be specific!)
Explain your thinking
Ending sentence (sum up- restate your answer)
Edit your work carefully