Author’s Purpose Handout

An author usually writes a passage for one of three purposes:

1.Inform – an author writes a passage in order to provide accurate information that might help someone

a.In an informative passage, the author will usually focus on facts and important details

b.A newspaper article that reports an event is informative.

c.EXAMPLE:

i.Yesterday, John Doe rode his bicycle into a parked car.  At approximately 3:15pm, Mr. Doe lost control of his bike and crashed into a blue Chevrolet Corvette owned by Bill Smith.  Mr. Doe was uninjured and Mr. Smith has declined to press charges.

2.Persuade or Convince  - an author writes a passage in order to convince someone to do something, or to convince someone that the author’s point of view is right

a.In a persuasive passage, the author will write his opinion, and try to get an audience to agree with him.

i.The author will often use the words “you” and “should,” because these are words that give instructions (you should watch the NBA finals.  you should root for the Cavs)

ii.An author will often contrast one thing with another, to show how one is better

b.A newspaper editorial is a persuasive article.

c.EXAMPLE:

i.Although John Doe didn’t destroy Bill Smith’s Corvette, we think that the time has come to stop John Doe from riding his bicycle.  He is a menace to society.  He has hit three people while riding his bike.  You need to pressure the town council to revoke John Doe’s riding permit!  He should be stopped before he hits someone else.

3.Entertain – an author writes a passage in order to tell a story that amuses people, like a fairy tale or a story

a.In an entertaining passage, the author will make up a fictional story that is fun to read.

b.Most TV shows and books are written to be entertaining.

c.EXAMPLE:

i.Once upon a time in a far away land, there lived a group of people who never rode bicycles.  Everywhere they went, they would hop around on one foot.  They were called the “Hoppers” and they were very good at hopscotch but very bad at track and field events like running and hurdling.

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