1. An author writes for many reasons. An author may give you facts or true information about a subject; some authors write fiction stories or stories that are not true; other authors may write to try to get you to do something.

2. Author’s Purpose What it looks like When is it usedExamples To Inform or Teach Factual Information; in some sort of sequence (chronological or step by step) In order to get information to the reader; to help the reader gain knowledge Textbook; articles; the news; usually a piece centered around a certain subject To EntertainFictional Story; characters; vivid details; entertaining/color ful words To teach the audience a lesson; to get the audience to read Myths; historical fiction; science fiction; etc. To Persuade or Convince Uses very powerful words; often will talk to the reader or ask questions To get the audience to believe an idea, buy an item, or to do something Commercials, ads, electoral candidates, non- profit organizations

3. Facts or true Information? Fiction? Tries to get you to do something? to Entertain to Inform or Teach to Persuade or Convince What is the author’s purpose if the passage contains...

4. 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. They took their dogs with them and the dogs would swim in the lake while they fished. It was so funny to watch those dogs paddle around the lake. to Inform to Entertain to Persuade

5. The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to loose 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. to Inform to Entertain to Persuade

6. 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. to Inform to Entertain to Persuade

7. Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $ 25.99. Send your check to P.O.Box 00002, Shelton, CA 74836 TO PERSUADE YOU TO GET PLASTIC SURGERY TO PERSUADE YOU TO BUY SPECIAL CREAMS TO PERSUADE YOU TO BUY THEIR ANTI- WRINKLE CREAM

8. Thomas was not happy one little bit. His sister, Susan was making honor roll again. His parents would allow her to do anything she wanted to do. Thomas was not making honor roll this time and he was not going to be allowed to do all the things he wanted to do. Poor Thomas! He would just have to study harder and get back on the honor roll. TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A STORY ABOUT A SIBLING RELATIONSHIP TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A STORY ABOUT A BOY WHO WANTS TO MAKE HONOR ROLL TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A FANTASY STORY ABOUT WHO GETS HIS WISHES GRANTED

9. Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She met and married Almanzo James Wilder in 1885. She published many books based on her travels to the west. Her writing became the basis for the " Little House" series She died in 1957. TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THE LIFE OF LAURA WILDER, RENOWNED AUTHOR TO ENTERTAIN YOU BY RETELLING YOU THE SERIES OF “LITTLE HOUSE” TO INFORM YOU ABOUT HOW HARD LIFE WAS IN THE 1800’S

10. HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Braxton Pet Store, Northwood Mall: We have a large selection of hamsters for sale this week. They are interesting pets and you will enjoy having one. They are only $ 17.99 this week. Come and buy yours today! TO INFORM YOU ABOUT WHAT GREAT PETS HAMSTERS MAKE TO PERSUADE YOU TO COME TO THE PET STORE FOR ALL YOUR PET NEEDS TO PERSUADE YOU TO COME TO THEIR STORE TO BUY A HAMSTER

11. Calligraphy is a form of handwriting. A special pen must be used. Letters are formed using up and down strokes. Old documents are usually written in this form. Diplomas, certificates and other awards are written in calligraphy. It is an interesting form of handwriting. TO INFORM YOU ABOUT AN INTERESTING FORM OF HANDWRITING, CALLIGRAPHY TO INFORM YOU ABOUT HOW OFTEN CALLIGRAPHY IS USED TO PERSUADE YOU TO WRITE IN CALLIGRAPHY

12. Katina and her brother, Jess were playing with the water hose outside one day. Jess was hiding from Katina so she wouldn't squirt him with the water. The back door opened and Katina pointed the water hose toward the door. It was Mom and she was dripping wet! TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A HISTORICAL FICTION PIECE ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE DID BEFORE TELEVISION TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A REALISTIC FICTION PIECE ABOUT A FAMILY’S ANTICS TO ENTERTAIN YOU WITH A FABLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO SURPRISE PEOPLE

13. Rosie had the best time making her valentine cards for her classmates. She used red and white paper, heart stickers, markers and anything else she could find. It was great. Her friends are planning a valentine party on Feb. 14th at school. The one she made for her best friend is funny. Funny valentines are nice to get. WRITE YOUR OWN AUTHOR’S PURPOSE FOR THIS AND THEN SEE HOW YOURS COMPARES TO YOUR PARTNER’S

14. The easy Chopper 3 will chop your vegetables for you in about 30 seconds. It is easy to use and you can use any vegetable. The cost is $ 29.95. Order yours today! CREATE YOUR OWN AUTHOR’S PURPOSE FOR THIS PIECE; BE PREPARED TO SHRE WITH THE CLASS

15. to Inform to Entertain to Persuade 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!

16. Sorry. The passage you just viewed was a passage meant for entertainment purposes. It has characters. It uses vivid wording such as “shining” and “glorious” to draw the reader in. It does not contain facts. It does not talk directly to the audience. Take a look at it againTake a look at it again.

17. That’s right!! This slide is meant for entertainment. It has characters and vivid details such as “shining” and “glorious” used to draw the reader in. Try the next one.

18. Sorry, nope. In this article the author is trying to persuade or convince you. He talks directly to the audience – “you.” He also uses powerful words to draw the reader in such as “amazing machine,” “helps you” and “easy video.” These phrases are meant to make the reader believe that something is good for them and easy to accomplish. It does not include fictional characters or plot. It does not give you factual information. Take a look at it again.

19. Yes!! This author is trying to persuade or convince you to buy something. He speaks directly to “you” – the reader. He also uses power words/phrases meant to draw you in – “help you,” “exercise... today” Try the next one.

20. I’m sorry. Nope. This author is trying to inform or teach you. He focuses on one subject – the underground railroad. He uses factual information. He does not have fictional characters or plot. He does not talk to the audience directly or use powerful language to get the reader to do something. Take a look at that one again.

21. Yes!! The author is trying to inform you. He is talking about one primary subject – the underground railroad. He uses factual information – no opinion here. Now, can you be more specificNow, can you be more specific?

22. 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. The author’s purpose is to inform you of: A.The escape of one runaway slave.The escape of one runaway slave. B.The difference between the views of slavery between the north and south.The difference between the views of slavery between the north and south. C.How the underground railroad helped slaves escapeHow the underground railroad helped slaves escape D.How secret codes and signals are handy to have.How secret codes and signals are handy to have.

23. Not quite. Try again.

24. AWESOME!!! YES!!

25. The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to loose 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. The author’s purpose is to persuade you to: a.Lose weightLose weight b.Exercise moreExercise more c.Try this new shakeTry this new shake d.Buy a Slim-O-Matic

26. AWESOME!!! YES!!

27. 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. They took their dogs with them and the dogs would swim in the lake while they fished. It was so funny to watch those dogs paddle around the lake. The author’s purpose is to entertain you by: A.Providing you with a realistic fiction piece about two friends who go fishing in Alabama.Providing you with a realistic fiction piece about two friends who go fishing in Alabama. B.Providing you with a science fiction piece about fishing in the future.Providing you with a science fiction piece about fishing in the future. C.Providing you with a myth about how dogs became man’s “best friend.”Providing you with a myth about how dogs became man’s “best friend.”

28. YOU’RE DOING GREAT!! TRY SOME NEW ONES NOWTRY SOME NEW ONES NOW.