Unit 7.4: Author’s Purpose
Ms. Duran
Understand and identify the different
purposes of a text.
A1. Distinguish
an author’s
purpose by
analyzing the
text.
A2. Determine the
meaning of words to
distinguish and write
text in the four
types of author’s
purpose: descriptive,
narrative,
expository, and
persuasive writing.
A3. Describe an event
through figurative and
sensory language to show
the reader what is
happening rather than
telling them directly.
A4. Take a position, summarize
an issue, support a position with
facts, use persuasive language
and to suggest solutions to a
problem through persuasive
writing.
An author’s purpose is his/her reason for
writing.
It is reflected in the way the author writes
about a topic.
For instance, if the author’s purpose is to amuse, he/she will
use jokes or anecdotes in the writing.
Clues to an author’s purpose may be found in
titles, prefaces, and the author’s background.
Narrative Writing
1. Used to relate a story or to recount events.
2. Has a beginning, middle, and ending.
3. A story may have a lesson, but the author’s main purpose is
to entertain.
Examples




Harry Potter books
Poems about love
Narrative essay about the big game
Script for a TV show
Descriptive Writing
1.
2.
3.
4.
It tells what something looks like, sounds like, or
feels like.
It often involves the 5 senses.
Describes a person, event or place.
It uses many details about the topic.
Examples:
 Product description
 Travel brochure
 Letters
 Journal or diary entries
Persuasive Writing
1. It is used to convince a reader to believe an idea or to take a
course of action.
2. Attempts to influence the reader.
3. Usually makes an argument.
Examples:
Political speeches
Advertisements
An essay urging readers to recycle
Expository Writing
1. It is used to inform or teach the reader.
2. Expository writing shows or explains facts.
Examples:
Biography of Barack Obama
News report about a shooting
Note to a friend
Essay about “killer bees”
Remember: Expository = Expose