1. Author’s Purpose RI.6.6c. - I can explain an author’s purpose for writing a text.

2. Three Reasons for Writing 1.To Inform (Expository) 2.To Persuade (Argument) 3.Entertain (Narrative or Poetry)

3. Writing to Inform Often called expository writing. Expository writing shows or explains facts. It can give directions, explain, provide details, and/or present information. Examples: Biography of Barack Obama News report about a shooting Note to a friend Remember: Expository = Expose

4. Writing to Inform Other examples??? –Textbooks –Documentaries –Technical Manuals –Charts, Graphs, Tables

5. Writing to Persuade Attempts to influence the reader. Usually makes an argument, expresses an opinion, appeals to emotions, and/or tries to convince readers to think/feel/act a specific way. Examples: Political speeches Advertisements A cover letter for your resume

6. Writing to Persuade Other examples: –Bumper stickers –Editorials –Billboards –Commercials –Editorials

7. Writing to Entertain Narratives: stories The author’s main purpose is to entertain when writing a story. Stories have a beginning, middle, and end. They contain a plot (conflict), theme, moral, and characters. Examples of Writing to Entertain Harry Potter books Poems about love

8. Writing to Entertain Other examples: –Television sitcoms – Short Stories –Comic Strips

9. Is it a story, poem, or drama (script)? Entertain Yes No Does the text make arguments? Inform Persuade YesNo Does the text give facts? YesNo Start Over

10. Review Informative or expository writing provides factual information about a topic. Persuasive writing expresses an opinion (may use facts to support). All narratives are written to entertain, but so is poetry.

11. Practice 1.On a separate sheet of paper, number one through ten. 2.I will describe a piece of writing. 3.You will write the author’s purpose: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

12. 1 The story of a teenage boy learning to understand and live with his father, who is an alcoholic Vietnam war veteran. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

13. 2 A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

14. 3 An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

15. 4 An “X-men” comic book. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

16. 5 The story about a young girl with low self- esteem learning to love herself. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

17. 6 A National Geographic article about the eating and breeding habits of the endangered bald eagle. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

18. 7 A website saying that a new shopping mall should not be built because it threatens an endangered bald eagle’s home. The website also lists other reasons why the mall should not be built. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

19. 8 A poem about bald eagles. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

20. 9 A magazine ad telling you to buy Nike Hyperdunk shoes because you’ll jump higher. A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

21. 10 A sign saying, “Rest Stop Five Miles Ahead.” A.Entertain B.Inform C.Persuade

22. Answers 1. Entertain 2. Inform 3. Persuade 4. Entertain 5. Entertain 6. Inform 7. Persuade 8. Entertain 9. Persuade 10. Inform