The document discusses the different reasons why authors write texts. It states that authors may write to entertain, persuade, or inform. It provides examples of text types for each purpose - stories, poems, and plays to entertain; advertisements and speeches to persuade; and essays, instructions, and reference texts to inform. The document concludes by noting it is important to understand an author's purpose when reading and provides questions to help identify if a text aims to entertain, persuade, or inform.

1. AUTHOR’S
PURPOSE

2. AUTHORS WRITE FOR
SEVERAL REASONS
Many authors
write to entertain
people and make
them laugh.

3. Examples of Texts that Are
Written to Entertain:
Stories
Poems
Dramas
Songs

4. Authors also write to persuade or
convince their readers to believe in
something.

5. Examples of Texts That Are Written to
Persuade
Advertisements
Campaign Speeches
Persuasive Letters or Notes

6. Sometimes authors write to
inform or teach you about
something.

7. Examples of Texts That Are Written to
Inform
Expository Essays or Articles
Instructions or Directions
Encyclopedias or Other Reference
Texts

8. When we read, it is important for us
to understand "why the piece was
written“.

9. HERE ARE THREE QUESTIONS
THAT YOU CAN ASK YOURSELF TO
HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE AUTHOR’S
PURPOSE:
1. Is the text a poem, play, or story?
If the text is a poem, play, or story, then it’s
safe to say that the author’s main purpose is to
entertain readers.

10. 2. Does the text provide a lot of facts and
information?
If the text is primarily providing readers with facts
and information, then we can conclude that the
author’s main purpose in writing the text is to inform
readers.

11. Is the text attempting to get the reader to do
something?
If the text contains many arguments and claims,
or a call where the reader is urged to take action,
then the author’s main purpose is to persuade.

12. 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.
The purpose of writing this piece was to _____ .
entertain persuade inform

13. 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!
Why did the author write this piece?
entertain persuade inform

14. Joe had been fishing for over two hours without a
single bite. Suddenly there was a nibble at the end
of his fishing line. He stood up on the boat and
leaned out too far. Just then there was a sharp
yank on the line. Joe fell overboard and landed
head first into the water. Joe and his friends
laughed and laughed.
What is the author's purpose?
entertain persuade inform

15. 1. An instructional booklet describing how to
operate a smart phone
2. An article where the author argues that an
iPhone is better than an Android phone
Direction: Read the descriptions of each item and
determine the author’s main purpose. (to entertain, to
persuade, to inform)

16. 3. A poem about why the iPhone is the
greatest consumer electronic device ever
made
4. The story of a young athlete who takes
steroids and his life and future fall apart
5. A medical report describing the effects of
steroids on the human body

17. 6. A speech written by a professional athlete
listing the negative effects of steroids and urging
young athletes to not use steroids
7. A booklet containing the school rules and the
consequences for violating those rules
8. A story written about a young boy who moves
to a new school and is bullied, but he gains self-
confidence by joining a sports team and learns
to stand up for himself.

18. 9. A book of over 1,000 knock-knock jokes
10. A cook book containing recipes for making
cakes, cookies, and other desserts
11.The story of a young woman who, after the death
of her grandfather, quit her job in the business world
and returned home to help her aging grandmother
12. A politician’s speech about how homes should be
provided to families who cannot afford them

19. 13. A poem about a “packrat,” a person who refuses to throw
things away, even things that most people would consider
garbage
14. The Shakespearean tragedy Romeo and Juliet, where
two young lovers are forbidden from seeing one another due
to a centuries old blood feud between their two families
15. A young girl’s note to her parents giving reasons why
they should buy a puppy