Author’s Purpose

Why Do Author’s Write?

• To Express

• To Persuade

• To Inform

• To Entertain“If you vote for me, I promise . . . “

When trying to determine the author’s purpose for writing, consider the genre.

•Most fiction is written to entertain

•Nonfiction materials are often intended to give information

•Poetry and journal/diary writing is often written to express

•Advertisements, editorials, and political speeches are often intended to persuade the audience to act in some way (buy something, vote a certain way, change your mind)

Watch this video clip.What is the author’s purpose?

If you said to entertain,

you’re correct.

Sometimes figuring out the author’s purpose for writing is easy,

but other times it may make

you feel a little like Lou Costello trying to figure out Who’s on first?

To All Museum Staff:

It has come to my attention that some of you are listening to the radio during work hours. The guard caught two people when their radio made a horrible squawking noise. We have one hundred people working here. They all heard the music pierce the quiet. From now on,

please be considerate and do not play the radio during work hours.

The Management

What is the Author’s Purpose?

•To Inform•To Entertain•To Persuade•To Express

Answer:To persuade

September 10, 2010

Dear Rita,

I’m sorry that I yelled at you yesterday. Youwere right, and I was out of bounds. Please accept my apology, which is sincere. We could plant some flowers if the weather is nice or go out to dinner. I will buy you a nice dessert, anything except strawberry shortcake because I know you don’t like it.

Your friend,Carlos

What is the Author’s Purpose?

• To Inform

• To Entertain

• To Persuade

• To Express

The Author’s Purpose was

• To Express

Carlos wanted to let Rita know that her was truly sorry for losing his temper and he wanted to make things right between them.

The northern part of the Everglades consists of a prairie covered by shallow water and by saw grass, a grasslike plant with sharp, jagged edges that grows as high as 12 feet in some places.

What is the Author’s Purpose?

• To Inform

• To Entertain

• To Persuade

• To Express

To Inform

Joey’s first trip to the marvelous

city of Chicago was a joyous day. He saw

famous skyscrapers like the Sears Tower

and the Hancock Tower. Joey felt a great admiration for the architect of Chicago’s

beautiful Union Station. It seemed mysterious

to him that any place could be so big.

While they were in the Art Institute, Joey’s mother struck up a conversation with one of the guards. He shared some helpful information about which elevator would take them to the special exhibit. The paintings there gave Joey more education than he ever got in a classroom!

What is the Author’s Purpose?

• To Inform

• To Entertain

• To Persuade

• To Express

To Entertain

July 4, 1776Dear Diary,

Today every leader in Congress will put his signature on a document that will create a new nation – the United States! I used to think independence was only a dream, but now it’s practical and real! Now we can elect our own leaders, which will please all Americans. It’s like a breath of fresh air! Today I’ll wear my best clothes!

What is the Author’s Purpose?

• To Inform

• To Entertain

• To Persuade

• To Express

To Express

Great Job!!!!