Author’s Purpose What clues show the reader the author’s purpose is to inform, explain, describe, entertain, or persuade?

What is Author’s Purpose? All authors write for a particular reason. We call this “author’s purpose”

What is Author’s Purpose? There are five main purposes for writing: To inform To explain To describe (express) To entertain To persuade

A. To Inform Some authors write to give the reader information: “ What or Why” of a topic. Enlighten reader on topics that are real. Usually contains facts.

Facts, examples, or definitions Maps, charts, diagrams To Inform Clues to look for: Facts, examples, or definitions Maps, charts, diagrams Headings and subheadings You will see this in: Textbooks, newspapers, encyclopedias, biographies, autobiographies, etc.

To Inform - Example The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters. The northern states were free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the North. Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters.

B. To Explain Some authors write to teach the reader how to do something: “How-to” teaches how to do or make something. The author will “explain” a process.

Step-by-step directions Numbered lists Words like first, next, or last To Explain Clues to look for: Step-by-step directions Numbered lists Words like first, next, or last You will see this in: “How-to” manuals, cookbooks, etc.

To Explain- Example Installing a new battery in a cell phone is an easy procedure. All phones have some kind of button or clip that holds the back panel in place. Simply remove the back, and take out the battery. In some cases, the back of the phone is the battery. After removing the old battery, check the contacts on the back of the phone to ensure that they are free of corrosion. If necessary, clean any corrosion off with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and cotton-tipped applicators. Be sure to allow ample time for the alcohol to evaporate off the phone before installing the new battery. Place your new battery in the same position that you found the old one and replace the back (if necessary). Once you have installed your replacement battery, it is important to let your phone charge overnight since most batteries come with little or no charge. The next morning, your fully-charged phone will be ready for action.

C. To Describe (express) Authors write to convey a picture or feeling to an audience. This type of purpose DOES NOT try to change the reader’s beliefs.

To Describe (Express) Clues to look for: Emotional words Sometimes use of the word “I” Value words like best, terrible, worst, great You will find this in: Poetry (narrative), lyrics, diaries, journals, etc.

To Describe (express)- Example Hearing the music beginning brought tears to my eyes. I felt my throat begin to close up. Losing my father was the most difficult time of my life. I was very close to him and he was my confidant. I don’t know what I would do without him to talk to me. This was the saddest day I have ever experienced.

D. To Entertain Some authors write to amuse his/her audience. This type of writing usually tells a story, uses drama and humor, or has playful language.

To Entertain Clues to look for: Has a beginning, middle, and end Uses dialogue Rhymes Drama or humor You will find in: Poetry (limericks), plays, movies, fictional prose, etc.

To Entertain-- Example It was a glorious morning in Alabama. The sun was shining through the trees. Alan couldn't wait to find his fishing pole and call his friend Sam to go fishing. They had a great time on these early morning fishing trips. The boys took their dogs with them, and the dogs would swim in the lake while the boys fished. It was so funny to watch those dogs paddle around the lake.

E. To Persuade Some authors try to convince the reader to share his/her opinions and views on a specific idea or topic or to purchase something.

Words like should, must, and have to To Persuade Clues to look for: Opinion statements Words like should, must, and have to Value words like worst, best, terrible, or great You will find in: Editorials, advertisements, etc

To Persuade-- Example The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to lose pounds and inches from your body in one month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video to show you the proper way to exercise. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today!

Be Careful! Sometimes authors have more than one purpose. Be on the lookout for that!

Brain Freeze POWER QUESTIONS Ice cream is a sweet treat on a hot summer day. However, ice cream can also be a real pain. At one time or another, most people have experienced the dreaded ice cream headache. Also called “a brain freeze” an ice cream headache is common but painful. The headache comes on suddenly. It feels like a stabbing pain in the middle of the forehead. Scientists do not agree about what causes the headache. One theory says that the freezing temperatures cause the blood vessels in the mouth to contract tightly. This makes the nerves send a signal to the brain to open blood vessels. The blood vessels in the head expand quickly. The rapidly expanding vessels then cause the throbbing headache. Many people will experience an ice cream headache at some point in their lives. The good news is that the headache is short-lived. Some people say it helps to pinch the bridge of the nose right between the eyes. Others say it helps to pant like a dog in order to warm up the mouth. Most doctors say none of these tricks actually help. Perhaps avoiding the problem is the best medicine. The only real way to treat an ice cream headache is to avoid it in the first place. This does not mean avoiding ice cream it just means enjoying it slowly.

For which audience did the author most likely write this passage? POWER QUESTIONS For which audience did the author most likely write this passage? A. students interested in health science B. companies that make headache medicine C. dairy farmers who make ice cream D. employees at an ice cream store

For which audience did the author most likely write this passage? POWER QUESTIONS For which audience did the author most likely write this passage? A. students interested in health science B. companies that make headache medicine C. dairy farmers who make ice cream D. employees at an ice cream store

Perfect Pet Pictures Many people have special relationships with their pets. They want to remember their furry friends forever. Getting good pictures of small, fast-moving pets is sometimes difficult. Here are some tips to help you take better pet photographs: Get down on the pet’s eye level. Pets are usually small and low to the ground. If the photographer is standing when he takes the picture, it makes the pet seem even smaller. Try sitting or lying on the floor. When the camera is at the pet’s eye level, the pets will seem more true to size. In addition, the pictures will capture the pet’s facial expressions. Be ready. Get in the habit of keeping the camera nearby. Always make sure there are fresh batteries in the camera. Be sure it is loaded with film or has a memory card with space left on it. Use natural light. As much as possible, use natural light instead of the flash. The flash slows the camera down, and your pet will probably have moved by the time the camera fires. Flashes also startle or frighten some pets. Moreover, flashes cause “red eye.” With a little practice, anyone can take great pet pictures

2. What was the author’s purpose for writing this passage? POWER QUESTIONS 2. What was the author’s purpose for writing this passage? A. to describe what makes a good paragraph B. to persuade readers to take more pictures C. to explain ways to improve pet photographs D. to inform readers about reason to photograph their pets

2. What was the author’s purpose for writing this passage? POWER QUESTIONS 2. What was the author’s purpose for writing this passage? A. to describe what makes a good paragraph B. to persuade readers to take more pictures C. to inform readers ways to improve pet photographs D. to explain readers about reason to photograph their pets

Wind Turbines For thousands of years, people have used the wind as a source of power. Windmills are built to harness the wind’s energy. On farms and ranches, windmills pump water out of the ground for animals to drink. In other places, windmills are utilized to grind corn or other kinds of grain for flour. In Holland, windmills pump water from marshy land so that people can live on it. Some modern windmills, called wind turbines, produce electricity. Wind turbines have long blades to catch the slightest breeze. When the wind turns the blades, the blades turn a machine called a generator. The turning generator makes electricity. How? Inside the generator, a coil of wire turns near a magnet, producing an electric current. A gearbox connects the turbine blades to the electricity generator. The gearbox is there to make sure the generator turns at a high speed, even when the wind is not strong. When the wind is weak and turns the turbine blades slowly, the gearbox increases the speed of the generator. Other controls adjust the direction and angle of the blades. These controls make sure that the most power possible is gained from the wind. A wind farm is a location where there are several wind turbines in one place. Wind farms are usually built in high places, next to the sea, or on open plains. The people of Denmark get approximately 18 percent of their electricity from the wind, and there are thousands of wind turbines in other countries of the world

A. We should try to use less electricity until more can be provided. POWER QUESTIONS Based on the passage, with which of the following statements would the author of “Wind Turbines” most likely agree? A. We should try to use less electricity until more can be provided. B. There are several different ways to provide energy efficiently. C. People should avoid living in high places or next to the sea. D. There is more than enough electricity being produced at power stations.

A. We should try to use less electricity until more can be provided. POWER QUESTIONS Based on the passage, with which of the following statements would the author of “Wind Turbines” most likely agree? A. We should try to use less electricity until more can be provided. B. There are several different ways to provide energy efficiently. C. People should avoid living in high places or next to the sea. D. There is more than enough electricity being produced at power stations.

A. To inform the reader about the history and operation of wind farms POWER QUESTIONS Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose for writing “Wind Turbines”? A. To inform the reader about the history and operation of wind farms B. To teach about electricity and its importance to the world C. To write about wind turbines on farms that existed thousands of years ago. D. To entertain young people with a story about an unusual form of energy.

A. To inform the reader about the history and operation of wind farms POWER QUESTIONS Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose for writing “Wind Turbines”? A. To inform the reader about the history and operation of wind farms B. To teach about electricity and its importance to the world C. To write about wind turbines on farms that existed thousands of years ago. D. To entertain young people with a story about an unusual form of energy.