Author's Purpose in a Given Text

What is authorial intent?

The reason an author creates a text; the author's purpose

What is an anecdote?

A short story that illustrates a point and connects author and reader

What is a theme?

A broad concept or universal concern an author addresses

What is the benefit of knowing the author's purpose?

It helps you focus on the most important details

What are the five main author's purposes?

Inform, persuade, entertain, describe, explain

What is the number of purposes a text can have?

More than one

What is the way readers usually find the author's intent?

Infer it from what is or isn't included in the text

What are questions to ask to determine author's purpose?

Where it appears, structure, tone, audience, desired response

What is informative writing?

Writing with facts and text features, no opinions

What is persuasive writing?

Writing that argues a position using facts and opinions

What is a call to action?

A request for readers to do something; common in persuasive writing

What are the types of language used in persuasive writing?

Emotional, logical, and ethical

What is entertaining writing?

Fiction or anecdotes using action, drama, or humor

What are the elements of storytelling?

Plot, conflict, setting, characterization, and theme

What is descriptive writing?

Writing that uses sensory details to create vivid mental pictures

What is expository writing?

Writing that explains how to do something, often with numbered steps

What is a fact?

Information that can be objectively confirmed by a reputable source

What is an opinion?

An author's belief that others may disagree with

What is tone?

The author's attitude toward a subject

What is the typical tone of informative writing?

Straightforward and neutral

What is the typical tone of persuasive writing?

Emotionally charged

What is emotional correlation?

Words that are clearly positive or clearly negative

What is the purpose of the "How much are your memories worth?" ad?

To persuade readers to buy the premium service

What is evidence that reveals an author's purpose?

Tone, opinions, and the facts the author chooses

What is important to question about an author's facts?

Contradictory facts they may have ignored

What is the evidence pattern of a persuasive text?

Emotional appeal, then opinions backed by reasons and facts

What is the evidence pattern of an entertaining text?

Humorous tone narrating events in order

What is a satiric tone?

Using humor or exaggeration to criticize or mock something

What is a sarcastic tone?

Saying the opposite of what is meant, usually to mock

What is an ironic tone?

A contrast between what is said or expected and what actually happens

What is the purpose of this: "Vote yes on Measure B to protect our local parks!"

Persuade

What is the purpose of this: "The human heart has four chambers."

Inform

What is the purpose of this: "Step 1: Wash your hands. Step 2: Put on gloves."

Explain

What is the purpose of this: "The salty air stung her lips as waves crashed against the cliffs."

Describe

What is the purpose of this: "Mia tripped over her own shoelace right in front of her crush."

Entertain

What is the purpose of this: "Every nurse should get a flu shot; it's the responsible choice."

Persuade

What is the purpose of this: "To take a blood pressure, place the cuff above the elbow."

Explain

What is this, fact or opinion: "The United States was founded in 1776."

Fact

What is this, fact or opinion: "Apples are an essential part of a balanced diet."

Opinion

What is this, fact or opinion: "Some fabrics are synthetic."

Fact

What is this, fact or opinion: "Natural fabrics are the right choice for consumers."

Opinion

What is the tone of this: "Oh great, another 12-hour shift. My favorite."

sarcastic

What is the tone of this: "The fire station burned down."

Ironic

What is the tone of this: "Why cook dinner when you can just eat cereal for every meal like a true adult?"

Satiric