It's test time again and you've just finished reading the first paragraph in the test booklet and are preparing to answer the questions. The first question? Piece of cake! It's a context clue. The second question? No problem! The answer's right there. The third one is a little harder - it's an inference question, but you still figure it out.

Whoa! What's this? Which of the following was the author's purpose in writing this? "To torture children who have to take these tests," you think grumpily, but that answer is not one of your choices...

Authors' purpose questions are another way of saying, "Why did the author write this anyhow, or what was the reason this piece was written?"

Borrowed from:http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/Palmasola/rcap1.htm

• to inform • to perform a task • to sell • to inspire

• to correct a misunderstanding

• to show differing points of view

• to review a film • to review a book

• Entertain• Instruct• Persuade• Describe

THE AUTHOR TELLS A STORY THAT DESCRIBES SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN AN INTERESTING WAY!

The author will explain or teach something in the story that the reader doesn’t know. The author provides knowledge to the reader.

The author tries to change our opinion on a topic by appealing to our emotions.

Authors often describe to support other purposes in writing. They use it to createa character, set a mood or envision a scene.

• Did the author try to make me laugh? Entertain

   Did the author want to tell me a story? Entertain    Did the author try to amuse me? Entertain

Did the author give me facts? Inform    Did the author try to teach me something? Inform    Did the author try to convince me? Persuade    Did the author want to change my opinion? Persuade

Will: • prepare your mind for the type of information in the reading

• make the article easier to summarize

• make it easier for you to discriminate between the article's main idea and important details