Author’s purpose

1. Author’s purpose LA.910.1.7.2 Analyze the author’s purpose and/or perspective in a variety of texts to understand how they affect meaning.

2. Lesson 1 • Concept Introduction and Teacher Modeling • Theme: Texting and Teens

4. Keep in mind • These purposes are often, but not always, specific to types of writing. • Authors writing science, educational, or journal articles are writing to inform. • Authors writing newspaper or magazine articles are writing to persuade. • Most authors writing poetry or fiction are writing to entertain or describe. • Although it is rare that an author has only one purpose in mind when writing, there is usually a purpose that is more prevalent than all the rest.

5. How to determine author’s purpose • You should ask yourself questions after reading, such as: • “Does the author want me to do something or believe something?” • “Is the author giving me mostly unbiased information for my knowledge?” • “Is the author trying to paint a picture for me or make me understand a feeling?” • “Is the author telling me a story not to teach me anything but so that I can enjoy the story?”

6. YES! • “Does the author want me to do something or believe something?” • The author’s purpose is most likely to persuade. • Political commercials are a good example.

7. Yes! • “Is the author giving me mostly unbiased information for my knowledge?” • The author’s purpose is most likely to inform. • A science textbook is a good example.

8. Yes! • “Is the author trying to paint a picture for me or make me understand a feeling?” • The author’s purpose is most likely to describe something or convey a mood. • A restaurant review would be an example.

9. Yes! • “Is the author telling me a story not to teach me anything but so that I can enjoy the story?” • The author’s purpose is most likely to entertain. • A short story would be a good example.

10. practice • Article: Texting May Be Taking a Toll • I will read the passage while you follow along.

11. Question 1 What is the author’s purpose in writing the article? • a. to describe how texting can lead to sleep issues for kids texting late at night • b. to emphasize the importance of allowing kids to text • c. to inform parents of the various places and times that kids are texting • d. to show how texting may have a negative effect on kids • A is not the right answer because, although it is mentioned, the passage isn’t about sleep issues related to texting. • B is not the right answer because the passage is not about allowing kids to text. • C is not the right answer, various times and places of texting is mentioned, but not the purpose of the passage. • D is the correct answer.

12. Question 2 What is the author’s point of view toward this “texting phenomenon?” • a. All this texting may be having a negative effect on kids. • b. American teenagers send and receive 2,272 texts a month. • c. Parents may not be aware that their child is texting late at night. • d. Texting causes sleep issues for kids. • “A” may be the correct answer, but let’s read on to be sure. • “B” implies the author feels it is excessive, but it does not address the “texting phenomenon.” • “C” is a statement made in the passage. • “D” is not the best answer although it is not wrong. “A” gives a more complete answer to the question.