Objectives of the Lesson



Interpret the information to identify the
author’s attitude and opinion
Demonstrate the ability to use a dictionary or
digital methods to trace meaning and extend
vocabulary
Recognise details in a given argument related
to the topic.
EXTRA CREDIT TASK

COUNT THE NUMBER OF PIES YOU SEE
IN THIS ENTIRE PRESENTATION


BUT….
MAKE SURE YOU PAY ATTENTION TO
WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO
LEARN!!!
Lesson 5
Analyzing an article.
Author’s Purpose, Bias,
and Fact vs. Opinion
Author's Purpose




In order to effectively evaluate a passage, it is
essential to determine the author's purpose.
There are three main purposes to an author's
passage:
To inform
To entertain
To persuade
Want a Way to Remember it?

P (persuade)
I (inform)
E (entertain)
S (share feelings)
Author's Purpose: To Inform

When writing to inform, it is the author's goal
to enlighten the reader with subjects that are
typically real and factual. Few opinions are
expressed.

The facts in an informational passage are used
to teach, not to persuade. Examples of
informative texts include: cookbooks,
textbooks, and historical accounts.
PIES!
PURPOSE, INFORM, ENTERTAIN, and
SHARE FEELINGS!
Author's Purpose: To Entertain

When writing to entertain, one goal may be to
tell a story or to describe characters, places, or
events (real or imaginary).

Examples of entertaining texts include: plays,
poems, stories, jokes, or even comic strips.
Author's Purpose: To Persuade

When writing to persuade, the goal is to get
the reader to agree with the writer's opinion.
This type of writing is opinionated, but the
author may provide facts and examples to
support the opinion.

Examples of persuasive texts include:
commercials, advertisements, and editorials.
Author’s Purpose: Sharing Feelings
Sharing feelings means to tell the reader what
you are thinking.
Examples
journals, diaries, letters
A title can often set the tone of the
passage. Reading newspaper headings is
one way to practice determining the
author's purpose.
In the next activity, read each headline and then select
the purpose for the passage.
Headline #1

"Life found on Mars.
Scientists discover new
forms of life that once
lived on Mars."



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Headline #1

"Life found on Mars.
Scientists discover new
forms of life that once
lived on Mars."



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Headline #2

"The Secret of the
Mysterious Pendant"



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Headline #2

"The Secret of the
Mysterious Pendant"



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Headline #3

"A Laugh a Minute"



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Headline #3

"A Laugh a Minute"



Inform
Entertain
Persuade
Fact vs. Opinion

In surveying a passage, it is sometimes
helpful to notice facts and opinions. If a
passage has more facts than opinions, it is
more than likely an informative passage. If a
passage has more opinions than facts, the
passage will either be a persuasive passage or
an entertaining one.
FACT vs. OPINION Practice
FACT OPINION Passage
In Tarpon Springs, Florida there are
people who work underwater.
These people are called sponge divers.
The kind of treasure they look for is
called sponges.
Sponge diving is not an easy job.
The diver has to breathe under the water,
and be careful of extreme water pressure.
What’s the Author’s Purpose?

In Tarpon Springs, Florida
there are people who work
underwater. These people
are called sponge divers.
The kind of treasure they
look for is called sponges.
Sponge diving is not an
easy job. The diver has to
breathe under the water,
and be careful of extreme
water pressure.



Persuade
Entertain
Inform
What’s the Author’s Purpose?

In Tarpon Springs, Florida
there are people who work
underwater. These people
are called sponge divers.
The kind of treasure they
look for is called sponges.
Sponge diving is not an
easy job. The diver has to
breathe under the water,
and be careful of extreme
water pressure.



Persuade
Entertain
Inform
Author's Purpose Activity
Use the information on the medicine bottle to determine the author's purpose.
What is the purpose of this text?



To Inform
To Persuade
To Entertain
Author's Purpose Activity
Use the information on the medicine bottle to determine the author's purpose.
What is the purpose of this text?



To Inform
To Persuade
To Entertain
Use the information on the left to determine the author's
purpose. What is the purpose of this text?



To Inform
To Persuade
To Entertain
Use the information on the left to determine the author's
purpose. What is the purpose of this text?



To Inform
To Persuade
To Entertain
What is Bias?


A bias is when you are partial to something
over something else.
EXAMPLE: Say you like Coke over Pepsi. If
you were somewhere, and wanted a soda and
they only had Pepsi and you decided to drink
water instead you would be showing your bias
towards Coke.
What is bias? Tell me again

Bias- is when you favor one side over another.
Bias means that someone is unfairly partial to
one side or in has favoritism to one side.
EX: The team's coach thought that the
referees were biased when they made many
bad calls for their team, but none for the other
even though the plays were similar.
Remember Author’s Purpose?

Get ready…
Practice Time—Are you ready?
Directions:
On a piece of paper number from 1 to 16. For each of
the next 16 slides determine the author’s purpose for
the type of writing.
Write
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings

PIES
1. a poster about a community walk-a-thon for
charity
PIES
2. appointment card from the dentist
PIES
3. an advertisement for Coca-Cola
PIES
4. a book report
PIES
5. a story read to students by the librarian
PIES
6. knock knock jokes
PIES
7. an e-mail that tells a friend you are going to be
late
PIES
8. diary
PIES

instructions booklet on how to assemble a
bicycle

step by step recipe
11.
half price ad from Wal-Mart

crossword puzzle

short story
14.
directions for taking medication
15.
encyclopedia

letters
EXTRA CREDIT

How many pies were in the ENTIRE
presentation?
12