Chaper Three

Identifying the Author’s Purpose or Intent

An author writes with a particular purpose or intent in mind. Three purposes are usually associated with the act of writing.

To inform. Authors use facts to inform, to explain, to educate, and to enlighten. Textbook writing is a good example of an informational purpose. The sole purpose of informative writing is to present information that is intended to build the reader’s knowledge of the material.

Ideas for Writing to Inform Write a letter telling about the routine of their day. Create a description of an item found in a catalogue or magazine…or in the class

room! Make a brochure containing facts about a subject being studied (history, science,

math, etc.). Create a recipe and outline the steps needed to make the food. Write a news story about something happening in the school or the community.

To persuade. Authors use a combination of facts and opinions in order to persuade, to argue, to condemn, and to ridicule. Editorial newspaper writing is a good example of persuasive writing. The sole purpose of persuasive writing is to convince the reader to believe, and subsequently act, the same as the author on a given topic.

Ideas for Writing to Persuade Create a radio advertisement encouraging people to buy a product. Write a speech encouraging people to vote for you for class president. Work with a partner and create a skit about a salesperson

trying to sell a reluctant buyer something. Write an essay about something you would like

to see changed and why it should get done . Write a review of a book encouraging someone

to read it.

To entertain. Authors use fiction and nonfiction to entertain, to narrate, to describe, and to shock. Novels, short stories, and essays are written to entertain. The sole purpose of entertainment is to bring pleasure to the reader. Entertaining writing often uses humor as a special effect in the writing.

Ideas for Writing to Entertain Write a funny story. Create a joke book. Describe an event that made you laugh. Write a funny poem about an animal. Write a short story from the perspective of an inanimate object in the classroom

(i.e. – the stapler, the dry erase markers, etc.).

  

Exercise : Now identify the purpose of the following ad.

How to Save Time

At a Pushbutton Post Office and a handful of ways to get the best of your Post Service. To help you take care of your postal business in record time, we’ve installed Self-Service Postal Centers in many post offices and shopping centers. You can buy stamps and other postal items for no extra charge at the convenient touch of a button.

Unit Three

Successful New Year

Background information to the author

Steve Pavlina (born April 14, 1971) is an American self-help author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He is the author of the web site and blog dedicated to personal development, StevePavlina.com and the book Personal Development for Smart People.

Pavlina was a student at University of California, Berkeley in the early nineties. He performed poorly at his studies, distracted by socialising and the excitement of stealing. On February 4, 1991, Pavlina was arrested for grand theft in Sacramento, CA and given 60 hours of community service -- he claims that this was the impetus he needed to turn his life around.

Pavlina says he then went on to earn two college degrees from California State University, Northridge in just three semesters (also incorporating advanced placement credits for courses he had taken in high school).

Pavlina's blog covers topics such as personal development and success; consciousness and courage; productivity, motivation and goal setting; career, wealth and business; and spirituality. Some of his most popular writing is around lifestyle and lifestyle experimentation, where he will try a different style of living and transparently blog about the day-to-day experience.

Warm-up Questions Have you ever made any new year resolutio

ns? If so, did you find them effective to help you achieve a successful new year?

Do you have any other suggestions for a successful new year?

While-reading ActivityI. Skim the text to get the gist of it.

II. Scan the text to find: the resolutions made by the author in 2007 the eight tips for successful new year resolut

ions

III. Answer the questions in Exercise I & II.

Post-reading Activity

Ask students to write the resolutions they will make for the coming new year and what they can do to ensure they will stick to the resolutions rather than break or forget them.