3 Reasons to Write

 There are three main reasons an author writes a text:
 Persuade
 Inform
 Entertain
 The easiest way to remember this is the acronym
PIE!
Audience

 The purpose of a text depends on who will be
reading it. This is called the audience.
 Discuss in your groups who the audience might be
for the texts on the following slides.
P. I. E.

Now you will analyze each of the three purposes for writing nonfiction texts: Persuasion, Informational, and Entertainment
Persuasion

 If an author is writing to persuade,
he/she is trying to convince the
reader to believe his/her perspective
on a topic.
 Common Examples:





Advertisements
Essays
Opinion articles
Speeches
Debates
Reading Persuasive
Writing

 With a persuasive text, the reader
must evaluate the author’s argument.
 Consider the following:
 What is the author’s claim?
 Is another point of view presented?
 What reasons do the author give to
support his/her claim?
 What evidence is given to support
these reasons?
 Is this evidence relevant and
convincing?
Inform

 If an author is writing to inform he/she is giving
facts and details on a particular topic.
 Common Examples:






Educational websites
Encyclopedias
Textbooks
Reports
How to articles
Documentaries
Reading Informative
Writing

 With an informative text, the reader should
take note of the main ideas and important
details.
 Consider the following:
 What ideas are emphasized in the
introduction and conclusion?
 Are there additional text features that help
you understand the ideas and details such as
charts, graphs, or images?
 Are there key vocabulary words defined
throughout the text?
 Is the author being objective (unbiased; only
facts) or subjective (biased; opinions)?
 If you are not sure, see if there another text that
has the same information?
Entertain

 If an author is writing to entertain, he/she is trying to
relate to the audience on a personal level.
 Common Examples:






Novels
Stories
Poetry
Magazines
Essays
Screenwriting & Plays
Reading Entertaining
Writing

 With an entertaining text, the reader
should be looking for clues about how the
author is trying to connect with the
reader.
 Consider the following:
 Is the author sharing a personal story or
experience?
 Is the author trying to tap into certain
emotions in the reader? –sadness, fear,
anger, joy, humor, love, etc.
 Does this reading require the reader to use
his/her imagination? If so, to what extent?