What is the Author ’ s Purpose?

1. What is the Author’s Purpose? Entertain Inform Persuade

2. AUTHOR’S PURPOSE • What was the author’s most likely reason for writing this selection? • to persuade • to inform • to entertain • Statements from the selection most likely reflects the author’s purpose in writing this selection. • Why did the author most likely include (a list of ingredients, a graphic, statements in parentheses, a picture, etc.)

3. When an Author Wants to Entertain… • To entertain is to tell a funny story or to tell what a person or place is like in an interesting or funny way. You usually read something entertaining for fun. Examples of entertaining books/stories: Hunger Games Holes Percy Jackson Twilight Main Page

4. When an Author Wants to Inform… • To informis to teach a lesson or to show how to make something. You usually read something informational to learn more about a certain subject. Examples of informational books/text: Non-fiction books News stories in a newspaper or magazine Encyclopedias and other reference books Main Page

5. When an Author Wants to Persuade… • The author is trying to make the reader agree with something important. The author wants to persuade you to see their point of view. Examples of persuasive writing: Editorials in a newspaper/magazine speeches Main Page

6. Author’s Purpose Game!

7. One day, my dog, Miles, decided he had enough of living with our cat, Theo. He packed his doggie biscuits, his favorite toys, and hit the road. Life on the road was not as easy as he had expected. No one fed him, and many people ignored him completely. He was not used to this kind of treatment. After a few hours of hunger and loneliness, Miles decided to come back home. As soon as he walked in the door, we all pounced on him, giving him hugs and his favorite foods. Miles smiled and howled, “There really is no place like home.”

8. There is one thing that drives me crazy, and that is people who pay thousands of dollars for a dog. There are so many wonderful dogs at the dog pound looking for a home. Sure, they may not be beautiful show dogs or full breeds, but you will find some of the most loyal friends. Some people say that mutts (mixed breeds) are actually smarter dogs and easier to train. Some dog pounds quickly run out of room, because there are so many dogs up for adoption. I wish that everyone would take a chance on a lovable hound instead of buying an expensive show dog.

9. Did you know you could teach your dog to understand words? It’s true. Here is how: When you want your dog to sit, say the word sit multiple times. Also, gently guide the dog to a sitting position. When the dog sits, praise the dog very enthusiastically, and give it a treat. The dog will then remember the word sit, what to do, and how happy it makes you. You can teach your dog many words with positive reinforcement using kind words and yummy treats.

10. When Angela went to Hawaii, she learned many things about tide pools. She found out that the ocean waves wash many shell-covered animals, such as crabs and mussels, into the tide pools. Often she saw mussels that had spun silky threads to help them hold onto a rock. Angela learned that the little animals use the shells as protections from enemies and to keep their bodies from drying out in the sun.

11. The first traffic lights didn’t direct cars. Instead, they told carts pulled by the horsed when to stop and when to go. The first electric traffic light was put up in 1914. It had only two colors, red and green. A police officer had to stand at the corner and work the light by hand. Soon traffic lights could be found on busy corners all across the country.

12. Mr. Mouse put down his newspaper and twitched his whiskers angrily. “Every time I try to prop up my paws and read, the telephone rings. All I want to do is get my newspaper read!” Little Mouse heard what his father said. “I can help Daddy!” he thought happily. While Mr. Mouse was talking on the phone, Little Mouse took his red crayon and drew lines and circles on the newspaper. “Now it’s just like Daddy wanted,” he said proudly, “His newspaper is red!”

13. If you have ever walked with bare feet on a rocky beach and stepped on something sharp, you may have found a barnacle. Barnacles are small animals that make their own sharp shells. They stick themselves onto rocks, boats, or jetties. When the water covers them, barnacles wave tiny feet to catch their food. Barnacles eat plants that are so small that we cannot see them.

14. Alfred was digging in the sand when he found something gold. It was a beautiful necklace and it looked very old. Alfred was excited-he had found a treasure! Maybe the newspaper would write a story about him. Maybe he would be famous! Alfred thought about what it would be like to travel all over the world finding treasure and getting to be more and more famous. Then Alfred’s sister Becky came by. She saw the necklace. “Oh my necklace,” she said happily. “Thanks for finding it. I left it on the beach this morning.”

15. EXIT TICKET • Sticky Note! • What is the purpose of Dr. Ash’s announcements in the morning?