BELL WORK NOTES Part 1: Subject The predominate topic Title The descriptive name of a piece of work Author’s purpose The reason the writer has written the piece It is a “fixed intention” or reason for writing) Reader’s purpose The reason to read a particular piece of writing (It is the expected benefit from reading the piece) Genre The category of a literary composition

To identify the subject… First try looking at the first sentence or two. There is often a hint of the subject found here. Secondly, look for oft repeated words or names. The subject should be mentioned often throughout the piece of writing. Finally, reread the selection. You may pick up something you missed!

How do authors choose a title? The title should give a hint to what the selection will be about, and should catch the reader’s attention or interest. Remember – titles should always be properly capitalized! (The first word, and all main words should always be capitalized. Words such as a, an, and the are not capitalized unless they are the first word of the title.)

Author’s purpose – what is the intention? The author had a reason for writing the specific piece – he/she had the specific intention of doing one of the following: To entertain readers with a good story (This can be fiction or nonfiction.) To inform readers about a certain topic, event, situation, etc. (This might be done by explaining, teaching, or describing the subject.) To argue or persuade (The author will let you know how he/she feels about the topic, and will try to convince you to agree with that way of thinking.)

Reader’s purpose – why are we reading this? The reader’s purpose is directly related to the author’s purpose! If the author’s purpose is to entertain, the reader’s purpose is to be entertained. If the author’s purpose is to inform, the reader’s purpose is to become informed (to understand a topic, to learn, to gain information, to be able to visualize something.) If the author’s purpose is to argue or persuade, the reader’s purpose is to gain information about opposing views of a situation, and to understand different perspectives.

What are the different categories (or genres) of literature? Fiction – prose writing such as short stories and novels that describe imaginary events. There are sub-categories including: realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, fairytales. Nonfiction – prose writing that is based on facts, real events, and real people, such as biography or history. Real-world writing is writing used in manuals and other materials used in the workplace and other real-world situations Drama – writing that is intended to be performed: a play, movie, television Poetry - literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm