Author’s Purpose

4 Main Purposes

Get out some

looseleaf &

take Cornell

notes!

The author's purpose is basically the reason he or she

chose to act in a particular way, whether that's writing the

passage, selecting a phrase, using a word, etc. It differs

from the main idea in that author's purpose not the point

you're supposed to get; it's the why behind the author

picked up a pen or selected those words in the first place.

Summarize this in your notes - write “Author’s Purpose” on the left and write the

summary on the right.

Persuade:

To make audience believe or act Persuasive writing: states the opinion of the writer and attempts

to influence or convince the audience. You might think of

persuasive writing as informational writing with an attitude. It is

intended to convince the reader that a certain point of view is the

right one to have, or that some action should be taken.

Summarize this in your notes - write “Persuade” on the left and write the

summary on the right.

Persuade:

Write at least 3!

What are some examples of types of writing

that persuade?

Think about what you would find

● in the paper

● Online

● on TV

Examples of Persuasive Writing

CHECK YOURSELF

● Book or film review

● Restaurant reviews

● Editorial articles

● Political position papers

● Advertisements and commercials

Instruct:

To teach the audience

Instructive writing: teaches the audience how to

do something. You might think of instructive

writing as a step by step guide on how to

complete a task.

Summarize this in your notes - write “Instruct” on the left and write the summary

on the right.

Instruct:

What are some examples of writing that

instructs?

Write at least 3 types.

Examples of Instructive Writing

CHECK YOURSELF

● Cookbooks

● How-to manuals

● Grammar and Writing manuals

● Some text books

Entertain:

For fun and enjoyment

Entertaining writing:The author tells a story,

anecdote, or joke for the audiences enjoyment.

Entertaining writing is used to make the

audience feel (happy, excited, sad, mad, etc.).

Most narrative writing falls under this category.

Summarize this in your notes - write “Entertain” on the left and write the summary

on the right.

Entertain:

What are examples of types of writing that

entertains?

Write at least 5.

Entertain:

What are examples of types of writing that

entertain?

● In the paper? (hint: on Sundays)

● Hint: Before you watch it, it’s a piece of

writing called a ______.

● On holidays?

Examples of Entertaining Writing

CHECK YOURSELF

● Novels

● Short Stories

● Jokes

● Movie scripts and plays

● Comics and graphic novels

● Satires

● Poetry

Inform(Expository):

To give facts and information

Informative writing: shares information about a

topic. Informative writing gives you facts. It is

not meant to entertain or persuade, but just

give basic information.

Summarize this in your notes - write “Inform” on the left and write the summary on

the right.

Examples of Informative Writing

What are some examples writing that

informs?

Write at least 5.

Examples of Informative Writing

CHECK YOURSELF

● Informational brochures /articles

● Newspaper articles

● Some textbooks (what kinds?)

● Non-fiction trade books and picture book

● Menus or Catalogs

● Travel brochures

● Research summaries

● Legal contracts

*Instructive and Informative

Some sources put instructive and informative

under the same title. If you are only given the

options of Persuasive, Informative, and

Entertaining, put anything that is instructive or

informative under informative (expository

writing).