Author’s Purpose
Miss Blodgett
English 9
THINK: P.I.E.S.
Notes on “Author’s Purpose”
Author’s purpose = a writer’s reason for creating text.
Text = anything that is written (a play, lyrics, advertisement,
newspaper, blogs, graphic novels, movie script)
The reason can be to:
Persuade
Inform
Entertain
Share thoughts or feelings
TO PERSUADE: this means to convince people to think or
feel a certain way.
EXAMPLES: campaign speech, anti-smoking AD, an
article called “Why We Should Recycle”
TO INFORM: this means to provide facts, evidence, or
information to increase readers’ knowledge
EXAMPLES : news paper article, instructions or
explanations like “How to Build an Igloo”, or a recipe
TO ENTERTAIN: this means to make people laugh or feel
happy, sad, hopeful, etc. It’s not just about making
people laugh!
EXAMPLES: a TV show, a play, or a short story
TO SHARE THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS: this means to tell
about something important to you or about how
something makes you feel
EXAMPLES: a diary, a journal, or a personal essay
• LET’S PRACTICE!
#1
A pamphlet urging people not to eat animals
#2
The story of a young woman who, after the
death of her grandfather, quit her job to help
her aging grandmother
#3
A politician’s speech about how health
insurance should be provided to all families
#4
A poem about the author’s feelings for his wife
#5
An article comparing and contrasting two
different cultures
#6
Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, about
two young lovers forbidden from seeing each
other.
#7
A young girl’s note to her parents giving
reasons why they should buy a puppy
#8
A horoscope in a magazine predicting what the
future will bring
#9
The first issue of Wolverine, published by Marvel
Comics in 1982
#10
A pamphlet explaining how an unborn child
may be affected when a pregnant mother
smokes
#11
The terms of service for using Facebook
#12
The lyrics to Michael Jackson’s song, Thriller
#13
A bumper sticker warning people to “Click it or
Ticket”
#14
A brochure for custom car painting with
descriptions, pictures, and coupons
#15
HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Humble Pet Store,
in the mall: We have a large selection of
hamsters for sale this week. They are
interesting pets, and you will enjoy having one!
They are only $17.99 this week!! Come and buy
yours today!
#16
HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Humble Pet Store,
in the mall: We have a large selection of
hamsters for sale this week. They are
interesting pets, and you will enjoy having one!
They are only $17.99 this week!! Come and buy
yours today!
• In your group, list as many words, phrases, or ideas for each
Author’s Purpose.
• EXAMPLE
Persuade: “convince”, “believe”
Inform: dates, facts
Entertain: characters, conflict
Share thoughts/feelings: “I, me, my”,