Author's Purpose

1. Author's Purpose

2. Key Words • There are key words and phrases to help you decide what the author’s purpose was for writing the text. • Knowing them will help you go from guessing on a test to making a well-informed choice. • OWN THESE WORDS and PHRASES!!!

3. Get ready to write!! • On the paper being passed out to you write down the following key phrases and words for each of the author’s purposes. • Don’t miss anything !!!! You will be using them later for the game we’re going to play.

4. Describe • Paints a picture with words. • Strong adjectives • Figurative language • Strong action verbs • Sensory details

5. Explain • Gives directions-How to… • Written in sequence • Explains a process • First, last, next, finally • Imperative sentences (bossy period)

6. Inform • Telling or retelling • Facts about someone or something

7. Persuade • Arguing a point • Showing the pros and cons • Convincing you to do or buy something • Using persuasive techniques • Advertisement • Editorial

8. Entertain • Amusing details • Usually fiction • Creating laughter

9. What can be the author’s purpose if the passage contains….. to Inform; to Explain or to Describe Facts or true Information? to Entertain; to Describe or to Explain Fiction? Tries to convince you to do something? to Persuade

10. Now for the fun part!! As each of the following passages are read: 1. Write down the author’s purpose. 2. Write down at least ONE key word or phrase to support your answer. 3. Correct answers=1 point. Correct key word or phrase=4 points Let the game begin!!

11. It was a glorious morning in Alabama. The sun was shining through the trees. Alan couldn't wait to find his fishing pole and call his friend Sam to go fishing. They had a great time on these early morning fishing trips. They took their dogs with them and the dogs would swim in the lake while they fished. It was so funny to watch those dogs paddle around the lake. Inform Entertain Explain Persuade Describe

12. My father works at the city library. When you get to the top step, you will first come to two huge bronze doors. If you go in thedoors and turn to the right you will see a set of glass doors. When you open the doors, you will see a large reception area and then three offices on your right. My dad’s office is the last one. His name is on a gold plate on the door. Persuade Inform Entertain Describe Explain

13. The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters. Inform Entertain Explain Describe Persuade

14. We are a group of local artists, craftspeople, and performers trying to organize a street fair on Main Street. We believe that a street fair would attract many tourists as well as residents. Tourists would help boost the local economy by visiting our restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. To make it happen, though, we need your support! Persuade Inform Entertain Explain Describe

15. Inform Explain Persuade Describe Entertain The Dancers They sweep across the floor like elegant brooms With velvet feet, gliding, twirling, Balancing on joyful toes, They make the musicians’ dreams come true The eyes around them fill with tears of admiration For the grace that makes Even the lightest snowflake Seem made of stone.

16. 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 1885. 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. Inform Entertain Explain Describe Persuade

17. Marly had never enjoyed reading, and certainly did not like poetry. Then one day, Ms. Roberts came to school as a guest teacher. She was a poet. As soon as she read her poetry aloud to Marly’s class, Marly filled with an unexpected joy. She got up the nerve to ask Ms. Roberts for copies of her poems. Next Marly went home and read them all on her own. Soon, Marly began to write poems too. Finally she was brave enough to enter one of her poems in a writing contest. She was thrilled when her poem took first place! Inform Explain Entertain Describe Persuade

18. Calligraphy is a form of handwriting . A special pen must be used. Letters are formed using up and down strokes. Old documents are usually written in this form. Diplomas, certificates and other awards are written in calligraphy. It is an interesting form of handwriting. Inform Explain Entertain Describe Persuade

19. Katina and her brother, Jess were playing with the water hose outside one day. Jess was hiding from Katina so she wouldn't squirt him with the water. The back door opened and Katina pointed the water hose toward the door. It was Mom and she was dripping wet! Inform Explain Entertain Describe Persuade

20. Here’s what to do when you notice that one of your bike tires is flat. First you’ll need a screwdriver and a wrench or pair of pliers. Then flip your bike over so that it is resting on its seat and handlebars. Using the wrench or pliers, remove the wheel from the bike frame. Then use the tip of the screwdriver to depress the air valve. This will release any air that is remaining in the tube. Doing so will make getting the old, damaged tube out of the tire easier. Then push the air valve through the hole in the rim. Next, using the screwdriver, pry the tube out of the tire. Insert the new tube, being sure to slip the air valve into the hole in the rim. After you work the tube around the rim and into the tire, you can inflate it. Persuade Inform Explain Entertain Describe

21. The easy Chopper 3 will chop your vegetables for you in about 30 seconds. It is easy to use and you can use any vegetable. The cost is $ 29.95. Order yours today! It will be the best appliance in your kitchen! Persuade Inform Explain Entertain Describe

22. A soft breeze was causing a slight rippling over the surface of the pond. Here and there rowboats floated. You could faintly hear the sound of the paddles splashing in the water. Surrounding the pond were tall maple and oak trees, whose green leaves were reflected in the surface. Beyond the trees, you could see the high-rise apartment buildings in the distance. Persuade Inform Explain Entertain Describe

23. The  giant panda is a bearlike animal that has thick white fur with black markings on its ears, limbs, shoulders, and around its eyes. The giant panda feeds on bamboo forests at high altitudes in western China. It also eats bulbs, roots, eggs, and some small mammals. The cubs are born in late winter. The giant panda is an endangered species and is protected by the Chinese government. Persuade Inform Explain Entertain Describe

24. It's New! It's Refreshing!  It's Slurpy Soda! This is the best soda in the world!  If you drink this soda you will jump higher, run faster and be smarter in school. Try one today! Inform Explain Entertain Describe Persuade

25. Let's bump it up a notch!! • The following passages and questions are look-a-likes for the district and state assessment. • Now that you know the basics you are ready to try the tough stuff.

26. “Why nine hours of sleep? With fewer hours, your body won’t properly grow new muscles, bone, and skin cells; repair any injuries; or fight illnesses while you sleep. When you’re tired, your emotions are affected, and you may have trouble making decisions. Small problems may seem much more difficult than they would normally be. It may take twice as long to do regular activities. Every hour of the day can seem to drag by slower than writing everything by hand when your computer is down. Not to mention, you might be more confused than usual when faced with a specific task. The author uses a question at the beginning probably to • Test how much the reader already knows about sleep • Get the reader’s attention before explaining the importance of sleep • Inform the reader that the answer is difficult to find • Entertain the reader to want to read more

27. And the answer is….. B • The author is EXPLAINING what can happen when you don’t get enough sleep. There doesn’t have to be a key word at the beginning of each possible answer. Don’t let that trick you!!

28. The streets of New Orleans are alive with the smell of soul food and the sight of people dressed in elaborate costumes. People wearing masks to hide their identity mingle with the crowds and parades that fill the streets. Colorful beads and candy are tossed from ornate floats adorned with neon lights and festive structures. The air is filled with excitement and mystery. Mardi Gras has arrived in Louisiana. Which of the following words best describes the author’schoice of words in this passage? • Persuasive • Amusing • Sensory • Factual

29. Your choice should have been How many senses did the author use? soul foodcatching beads costumes excitement C

30. “Whether you’re roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing to a national forest, there are many ways to make sure your experience is fun and safe. Consider the following safety tips…..” The author purpose for giving tips for camping is to A. encourage people to go camping in the national forests B. list suggestions for campers in order of importance C. warn inexperienced campers against camping alone D. tell how to make a camping trip safe and comfortable

31. Did you select ?... D The authoring is telling or INFORMING you how to be both fun and safe on a camping trip.

32. “In studies to confirm the bats’ appetite for moths, Dr. McCracken and Dr. Westbrook attached radiomicrophones to helium-filled balloons called “tetroons.” While the tetroons were drifting 2,500 feet above the ground, the microphones picked up the high –frequency sounds of bats searching for and feeding on moths.” The author’s purpose for writing this paragraph was to A. show how scientists study bats B. use statistics to persuade you to become a scientist C. explain how bats eat D. describe hot air ballooning

33. I hope you picked… A It is showing or describing how scientists study the bats. Notice that the correct answer DOESN’T have to include the actual author’s purpose word, but a key word.

34. “Don’t put hazardous substances down your drain or in the trash. Things like paint thinner, furniture polish, and antifreeze can pollute our water or land, impacting people as well as wildlife. Keep litter, pet wastes, and leaves out of the gutters and storm drains. These outlets drain directly into lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands. Pet wastes contain bacteria and viruses that can threaten fish, wildlife, and people…” The author uses these two paragraphs mainly to; A. list the different substances that can be harmful to wildlife B. instruct readers how paint thinner and antifreeze can be disposed of properly C. compare different kinds of paint thinner to pet wastes D. explain why some substances should be kept out of the trash and drains

35. And the answer is….. D The author is EXPLAINING what happens when hazardous materials are disposed of improperly.

36. Her hair stood straight up like spikes. Her eyes were saucers, rimmed in black liner and blue eye shadow. Large headphones covered her ears. All the while I watched from across the waiting room, her head bobbed up and down as an ocean liner on waves. The extra-large T-shirt swallowed her up, and those shoes were boats. The author’s purpose for using long descriptive sentences was to • Explain why the girl was in the emergency room • Inform you what the author observed • Introduce you to a character in the story. • Tell you the setting of the story

37. Did you pick …? C The author is using great descriptive phrases and figurative language to give you a great visual of a character in the story. How many similes did you find? How many metaphors?

38. “When visiting an archeological site, Do NOT SIT, STAND, LEAN, OR CLIMB ON THE WALLS: In many cases, the walls are the only thing that is left as evidence of Ancestral Puebloan habitation. Not only is repair costly, but once the original material is altered so is the information that we are able to gain from it…” The author wrote this passage mainly to: A. describe how dangerous the cliffs and overlooks are B. inform a visitor what happens by climbing and leaning on walls C. inform visitors what to do if they find an archeological artifact D. explain how to avoid getting injured in a national park

39. Your answer should be… B The author is telling or INFORMING you what can happen if you don’t follow the rules at an archeological site.

40. Dried fruit such as raisins, dates, figs, and prunes are valuable sweets for boys and girls. It is much better to eat one of these fruits than candy. This is because the sugar is mixed with other materials and does not irritate the digestive organs as does the concentrated sugar existing in most candies. The fact that mineral materials exist along with sugar is another point in favor of the sweet fruits. All the above-mentioned fruits also contain iron, so try one today. You will not regret it. • In this paragraph the author is trying to A. show how to prepare dry fruits B. explain why dried fruits are unpopular foods C. persuade you to eat dried fruits instead of candy D. describe how dried fruits are made

41. And the final answer is… C The author is giving you facts to PERSUADE you to eat dried fruit rather than candy. X