Authors Purpose Why has the author written the

Author’s Purpose Why has the author written the text? (Mindscapes, p. 181) Purpose determines an author’s: • Word choice • Details • Style

Why is understanding the author’s purpose helpful? 1. Improves comprehension 1. Helps determine author’s reliability 2. Improves writing of thesis statements

Textual Forms of Author’s Purpose To Inform To Instruct To Persuade To Entertain

To Inform In textbooks, newspapers, nonfiction books • The author is presenting a well rounded factual presentation of the topic

How do you recognize To Inform? Facts are given that can be verified Material is presented objectively The issue is viewed from more than one viewpoint

To Instruct In manuals, diagrams, “how-to” passages, steps in a process or instructions for assembly • The author is presenting information step by step, telling the reader how to do something or how something works

How do you recognize To Instruct? There are signal words such as numbers or first, second, etc. You must do one step before another There’s a listing of tasks There’s a prescribed method

To Persuade In persuasive essays, editorials, written debate The author is trying to convince the reader of a particular point of view

How do you recognize To Persuade? Only one side of an issue presented Bias is evident Connotative language may be used

To Entertain In literature, poetry, magazines or other fiction • The author is writing is to provide pleasure • It could not only grab the reader’s attention, but it could also be informative or persuasive.

How do you recognize To Entertain? The author is telling a story The purpose of the story is to grab your attention It can also provide information or opinions It is not often found in academic writing

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