Author's+Purpose


 * Author's purpose** is WHY an author chooses to write something (their aim or their intent).


 * __Most Common Author's Purpose__**

- To entertain: the author wants to provide readers with amusement or enjoyment

- To inform: the author wants to teach or tell readers about something

- To persuade: the author wants the readers to think a certain way or believe a certain thing

__**"How do I figure out what an author's purpose is?"**__

1. Look at the GENRE of the text (most of the time, these will be in the directions on the state test!

- Fiction (stories, poems, plays) -> to entertain

- Nonfiction (articles, biographies, editorials) --> to inform OR to persuade

2. While and after reading, ask yourself some questions:

(To persuade) - Does the author have a strong **opinion** he/she wants to share? - Does the author want me to do or think something specific?

(To inform) - Is the author just telling me about something (**giving facts**)? - Is the author giving me **both** sides of an argument?