Name:
Section:
Author’s Purpose Activity
Directions: Read the descriptions of each item and determine the author’s purpose in writing it (to entertain, persuade, or inform). Then, in a sentence or two, explain your answer. 1. A story about a family trying to stick together and survive through the Great
Depression in the Midwest in the 1930s
Author’s Purpose: to entertain
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
Because it is a story and wants to entertain.
2. A section in a history book describing the conditions and causes of the Great
Depression in the Midwest in the 1930s
Author’s Purpose: to inform
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
It is giving an idea or information about great depression. It is written to inform.
3. An instructional booklet describing how to operate an MP3 player
Author’s Purpose: to inform
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
Because this text describing how to operate MP3 player using instructional booklet. Then, the purpose of the author is to inform.
4. An article where the author argues that an IPOD music player is better than a ZUNE
Author’s Purpose: to persuade
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
The authors showing that IPOD music player is better than ZUNE. Try to encourage the reader.
pedrezuelapatrick@academicreadingtask3
5. A poem about why the IPOD is the greatest consumer electronic device ever made
Author’s Purpose: to entertain
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
The text is a kind of poem and the poem is written to entertain.
6. The story of a young athlete who takes steroids and his life and future fall apart
Author’s Purpose: to entertain
Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.
Even though the readers can get information and lesson, it is a story wants to entertain. 7. A medical report describing the effects of steroids on the human body
Author’s Purpose: to inform
Explain Your Answer:
Write a