The Author's Purpose

October 02, 2024

Language Arts

Grade 6

Author's Purpose

Authors have a specific reason for writing a text. Identifying the author’s purpose helps you understand the information the author wants to share.

Review the chart at right and remember, there are three purposes authors have when writing: to persuade, to inform, and to entertain.

Persuade: The author tries to persuade readers to agree or to do something.
Inform: The author gives facts and information about a topic.
Entertain: The author writes for readers to enjoy

Click on the link and observe the video then complete the activity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq0hxsE12_0&t=2s

Author’s Purpose

Directions: read the description, determine the author’s purpose, and then explain your answer.

1. A handbook teaching people how to negotiate

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

2. A public service announcement telling kids to stay in school

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

3. A menu for a local pizzeria listing the sizes and prices of pizzas and available toppings

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

4. A song about pizza by popular music artist, Miss Directed

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

5. The track listing to Miss Directed’s album, I Want Pizza, which shows the order, length, and producer of each song

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

6. A radio commercial script calling Miss Directed’s new album, “The soundtrack of our lives.”

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

7. A pie graph showing how many pies were sold in each flavor during November last year

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

8. A children’s book about a cherry pie and an apple pie that overcome their differences to become good friends

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

9. A bookmark by the American Dairy Association listing 10 reasons to drink milk

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

10. A Sunday comic strip that tackles serious issues like immigration and health care

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

11. A cell phone application that suggests dozens of recipes based on what ingredients you have

Author’s Purpose:

^{(to inform,
persuade, or entertain)} ___________________________________________________________

^{How do you
know?}^{Write a sentence
explaining your answer.}

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