The Author's Purpose
P (persuade)
I (inform)
E (entertain)
S (share feelings)
P (persuade)
Persuade means to try to convince someone
to think the same way you do.
Examples
advertisements, newspaper editorials, junk
mail, posters
I (inform)
Inform means to give someone information
about something.
Examples
news reports, research papers,
encyclopedias, school news letters,
instructions, pamphlets from health clinics,
maps, timelines, schedules, charts, graphs
E (entertain)
Entertain means to amuse someone.
Examples
fictional stories, comics, poems, jokes,
riddles
S (share feelings)
Sharing feelings means to tell the reader what
you are thinking.
Examples
journals, diaries, letters
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a sales ad wanting you to purchase a
motorcycle
P (persuade)

a sales ad wanting you to purchase a
motorcycle
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

the list of movies showing in your town and
the times
I (inform)

the list of movies showing in your town and
the times
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

the comic strips
E (entertain)

the comic strips
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a flyer about a missing puppy
I (inform) OR P (persuade)

a flyer about a missing puppy
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a post card from your friend from Hawaii
S (share feelings)

a post card from your friend from Hawaii
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a letter to the editor explaining the need to
recycle more
P (persuade)

a letter to the editor explaining the need to
recycle more
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a report about George Washington
I (inform)

a report about George Washington
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

bus schedule
I (inform)

bus schedule
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

a fairy tale
E (entertain)

a fairy tale
Use response cards to tell the author’s
purpose.

fire safety brochure
I (inform)

fire safety brochure
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
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
1.
a poster about a community walk-a-thon for
charity
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
2.
appointment card from the dentist
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
3.
an advertisement for Coca-Cola
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
4.
a book report
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
5.
a story read to the school from the Writer of
the Week
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
6.
knock knock jokes
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
7.
an e-mail that tells a friend you are going to
be late
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
8.
diary
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
9.
instructions booklet on how to assemble a
bicycle
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
10.
step by step recipe
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
11.
half price ad from Wal-Mart
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
12.
crossword puzzle
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
13.
short story
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
14.
directions for taking medication
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
15.
encyclopedia
P for persuade
I for inform
E for entertain
S for share feelings
16.
letters
Answers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
a poster about a community walk-a-thon for charity Inform
appointment card from the dentist Inform
an advertisement for Coca-Cola Persuade
a book report Inform Or Persuade
a story read to the school from the Writer of the Week
Entertain
knock knock jokes Entertain
an e-mail that tells a friend you are going to be late Inform
diary Share Feelings
Answers
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
instructions booklet on how to assemble a bicycle
Inform
step by step recipe Inform
half price ad from Wal-Mart Persuade
crossword puzzle Entertain
short story Entertain
directions for taking medication Inform
encyclopedia Inform
letters Share Feelings
Additional Resources
FCAT Express
http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat/strategies/ap/default.htm
New York State Elementary Test Prep- ELA 4
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/authorpur.cfm
Author’s Purpose PowerPoint
http://edujourney.net/Powerpoint%20Templates/Author's%20Purpose/
Authors%20Purpose.ppt#257,1,Slide%201
Interactive Slideshow
http://www.fcatexplorer.com/media/parent/tiplister/flash/tip210a.swf
Additional Resources
Matching Activity
http://www.oswego.org/ocsdweb/match/term/matchgeneric2.asp?filename=kderitteauth
Quia
http://www.quia.com/pop/82118.html?AP_rand=1726073753
Practice Author’s Purpose
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/j/authorpurposep.cfm
Reading Skills Rocket (Interactive Quiz)
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/trophies/rsr/build1/RR_e_4_20_ae.h
tm