1. Author’s Purpose

2. Author’s purpose
 Did you know that when an author writes he or she
has a purpose or reason for writing?
 The four main purposes are:
 Entertain
 Persuade
 Express
 Inform/ explain

3. Let’s look at the characteristics of each type of writing.

4. Writing to Entertain
 This is usually a story or poem.
 The purpose is to humor the reader.
 It does not contain many facts.
Once upon a time there were three
little pigs and the time came for them
to leave home and seek their
fortunes.
Before they left, their mother told
them " Whatever you do , do it the
best that you can because that's the
way to get along in the world.”

5. Writing to Persuade
 The author wants the reader to do something or to
think a certain way.
 The author uses facts and opinions to convince the
reader.
 Only one side of the issue is presented usually.

6. Sample of persuasive writing
After more than a decade of conservation efforts and
millions of federal dollars, wolves are finally returning to
the northern Rockies. The Bush administration has
announced that it will remove wolves from the
endangered species list and allow the states of Wyoming,
Idaho, and Montana to wipe out nearly 80% of all the
wolves remaining in the Northern Rockies. These actions
would put wolves back on the brink of extinction after
years of recovery. We need to tell Congress to
oppose the Bush administration's plans and
make sure wolves are protected in the northern
Rockies.

7. Writing to inform/ explain
 The author provides information about a topic.
 The writing contains mainly facts.
 The author rarely expresses his opinion.

8. Sample of informative piece
 Wolf paws are able to tread easily on a wide variety
of terrains, especially snow. There is a slight webbing
between each toe, which allows them to move over
snow more easily than comparatively hampered
prey.

9. Writing to Express
The author simply tells how she or he feels
about the topic.
The author does not ask others to feel or think
the same way.
It contains mainly opinions.

10. Sample of writing to express
 Hold on to your hat and your home, but let your
imagination soar. The Caldecott medalist’s latest
masterly picture book will blow you away along with
the pigs’ homes. Satisfying both as a story and as an
exploration of story, The Three Pigs takes visual
narrative to a new level.

11. Author’s Point of View
 When analyzing a passage for the author’s main
purpose or reason for writing, look at:
The facts and
The intended
author’s
audience
opinions
purpose

12. The Underground Railroad
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.

13. Underground Railroad
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?
a. To express his opinions about the underground
railroad.
b. To inform readers about the conductors of the
underground railroad.
c. To explain what the underground railroad was.

14. Analyze the text
What are the facts or
authors opinions?
Who is the audience What is the topic?
•It was a secret
organization
•Many slaves
were helped to
escape
Anyone Underground •Secret codes were
railroad used

15. Underground Railroad
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?
a. To express his opinions about the underground railroad.
b. To inform readers about the conductors of the
underground railroad.
c. To explain what the underground railroad was.
Express inform/explain

16. Writing to Express
The author simply tells how she or he feels
about the topic.
The author does not ask others to feel or think
the same way.
It contains mainly opinions.

17. Underground Railroad
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?
a. To express his opinions about the underground railroad.
b. To inform readers about the conductors of the
underground railroad.
c. To explain what the underground railroad was.
Express inform/explain

18. Writing to inform
 The author provides information about a topic.
 The writing contains mainly facts.
 The author rarely expresses his opinion.

19. Underground Railroad
What is the author’s purpose for writing the article?
a. To express his opinions about the underground
railroad.
b. To inform readers about the conductors of the
underground railroad.
c. To explain what the underground railroad was.

20.  The end