Most writing is intended to inform, persuade, or entertain.Critical readers can identify the author’s reasons for writing text and adjust their reading method to match the author’s purpose. They learn to read with skepticism, for example, when the passage suggests that dogs make better pets than cats or when an advertisement for cereal tells them that its brand has 100% more of the daily requirement of nutrients than Brand X.
Teacher may find it helpful to read the information on this website about teaching author's purpose before beginning the lesson.
Inform, Persuade, Entertain
Tell students that the author’s purpose is his or her reason for writing a passage in a book, magazine, letter, or website. Sometimes the author writes because he wants to sell something or convince the reader of the value of his idea.
Ask students if they can give examples of this kind of writing. List their responses on the dry board. If they have trouble giving examples, write some examples for them on the board. Possible answers:
- TV advertisements for toys, food, or services
- newspaper or magazine advertisements for food, clothing, or services
- articles telling readers the author’s opinion
- articles written to convince readers to take an action
Tell them that sometimes the author writes to inform the reader. Ask students if they can give examples of this kind of writing. Write the responses on the dry board. Possible answers:
- a list of classroom rules
- the biography of Abraham Lincoln
- a brief history of Ancient Egypt
Ask if the students can think of another reason for writing. If no one responds that sometimes writers write for fun or entertainment, remind them that many of the things they read are for fun or entertainment. Ask them for examples. Possible answers:
- the titles of their chapter or trade books
- the titles of stories in their reading books
- funny rhymes or poems
Summarize the lesson for students by telling them that it’s important for them to know the author’s reason for writing a passage because knowing the purpose helps them understand what they are reading. Remind them that the three main reasons for writing are:
- to persuade someone to buy something or to believe something
- to entertain them; to make them laugh
- to inform of something they might want to know
Author's Purpose Follow-up Activities
Ask students to bring copies of articles, advertisements, stories, and letters that show examples of each kind of writing. Label poster boards, each with one of the three reasons for writing in this lesson. Ask students to paste their examples on the correct poster. If the writing is in a book, have the student write the title of the book or poem on the correct poster.
Give students a worksheet with examples of the different purposes. Ask them to write the author's purpose in the space beside each passage. Students can take turns playing an author's purpose game online.
Critical Reading
Efficient readers read critically. They understand that authors have a purpose for writing, and they can tell whether an author is writing to inform, persuade, or entertain. Knowing how to identify the author's purpose leads readers to adjust the way they read in order to better understand the passage, article or book they are reading.
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