2nd Benchmark: Genre, POV, & Author's Purpose

What is the author's purpose of the following? A book of over 1,000 knock-knock jokes

Entertain Explanation: Jokes are meant to entertain, therefore that is the purpose of the text.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A poem about a "packrat," a person who refuses to throw things away, even things that most people would consider garbage.

Entertain Explanation: Poems, dramas, and narratives are written to entertain. This is a poem.

What is the author's purpose of the following? The Shakespearean tragedy "Romeo and Juliet," where two young lovers are forbidden from seeing one another due to a centuries old blood feud between their two families

Entertain Explanation: Poems, narratives, and dramas are written to entertain. This is a drama.

What is the author's purpose of the following? The story of a young woman who, after death of her grandfather, quit her job in the business world and returned home to help her aging grandmother.

Entertain Explanation: Stories are written primarily to entertain the reader. A lesson may be learned, but the main purpose is to entertain.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A novel about a young girl who learns a lesson about bullying other students on the internet

Entertain Explanation: Though a life lesson may be learned, the primary purpose of a novel or story is to entertain the audience.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Love is in the Air" by Edwin Lowville In this play a pair of brothers embark on the bold mission to win the hearts of twin princesses. The princesses catch on to the brothers' plans and switch roles throughout the play. Confusion ensues. Tensions rise as the princesses have the brothers jailed, until they realize that the brothers have won their hearts and they get married.

Genre: drama Sub-genre: comedy Explanation: This is a play with a happy ending.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Put a Stake in It" (the fourth book in the "Sunset" series) by Denise Rutherford Chrissie is in love with Blake, a vampire who goes to her high school, but Blake doesn't even know that she exists. Chrissie tries to get Blake's attention in a variety of ways, including wearing a string of garlic on her neck. This only makes Blake think that she smells like garlic. But when Vince, a swamp monster who is in love with Chrissie, begins teaching her how to get to a vampire's heart, Chrissie starts sharpening wooden stakes. Readers will stay on edge of their seats trying to figure out how this bizarre love triangle with conclude.

Genre: fiction Sub-genre: fantasy Explanation: This story contains otherworldly elements and is not part of the folkloric tradition.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Radioactive Adolescent Samurai Frogs" by Max Morton In this modern graphic novel, scientists are testing the effects of radiation on a group of frogs when an earthquake allows them to escape. The frogs hide in a septic tank where a possum named Master Thorn teaches them the way of the Samurai. Master Thorn names the frogs after classic Greek thinkers and soon Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle use their Samurai abilities to fight crime and maintain justice. When they are not protecting the city, the Samurai frogs are eating oddly flavored tacos (like peanut butter and anchovies) in their septic tank and learning life lessons from Master Thorn.

Genre: fiction Sub-genre: fantasy Explanation: This text is not part of the folkloric tradition and it contains talking animals and otherworldly elements.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Caesar Must Live" by Brad Meriwether Plethos Alexander is a twelve-year-old boy growing up in Ancient Rome. Since his father was lost in the war, Plethos has had it pretty hard. He becomes a stable boy to help his mother earn money. After a long day of working, Plethos falls asleep in the stable only to wake up and overhear a secret conversation about an assassination plot on Julius Caesar. Now Plethos embarks on a mission to save the famed general, but can a simple stable boy get close enough to the Roman leader to save him?

Genre: fiction Sub-genre: historical fiction Explanation: This is a fictional story based on real historical events.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Rebound: The Recovery of Todd Kinney" by Bob Roberts Todd is a superstar athlete who injures his leg during a pivotal moment and loses his college scholarship. Soon he is abandoned by his friends and falls into a deep depression, but his family remains with him. As Todd works on his physical therapy, he decides that he wants to become a doctor. Todd faces many obstacles and struggles, but he overcomes all. A compelling narrative about a character that falls off the path but learns to walk again.

Genre: fiction Sub-genre: realistic fiction Explanation: This is a fictional story that actually could have happened.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "The Frog Princess" retold by Alexander A. A king tells his three sons to shoot arrows and to find brides where their arrows land. While the two older sons find women to marry, a frog picks up the youngest son's arrow. The king then orders each of the brides to complete a series of tasks such as spinning cloth and baking bread. In each of these tasks the frog far outdoes the other brides-to-be, as the frog uses magic to accomplish these tasks. At the end of the story, the frog princess is magically transformed back into a beautiful human girl and she and the prince live happily ever after.

Genre: folklore Sub-genre: fairy tale Explanation: This text is part of the folkloric tradition (as evident from the story being retold). It contains magic and enchantments, which makes it a fairy tale.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "Live Wire" by Chris Crispin Chris Crispin served in the military field of Improvised Explosive Device Disposal during the Iraq War. In other words Crispin was responsible for defusing and disposing bombs. In this text Crispin shares his real life experiences with reader and tells the true story of his time during the war. This text is best described in one word: explosive.

Genre: nonfiction Sub-genre: autobiography Explanation: Chris Crispin describes the real life experiences of Christ Crispin.

What is the genre and sub-genre of the following? "We All Scream for Ice Cream" by Sidney Gerber Sidney shares some of her favorite ice cream recipes int his specialty cookbook. Learn to to make such flavors as double chocolate fudge slide, triple lemon freeze, and vanilla. Never made ice cream before? Don't worry. Sidney's got you covered. This text gives readers specific instructions and photographs of the process. A must have for ice cream aficionados and casual enthusiasts alike.

Genre: nonfiction Sub-genre: information writing Explanation: This text provides factual information about a process.

What is the author's purpose of the following? An article comparing and contrasting American and European health care systems

Inform Explanation: Compare and contrast texts are generally written to inform, as is this text.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A cook book containing recipes for making cakes, cookies, and other desserts

Inform Explanation: Instructions and directions are written to provide the reader with information or to inform.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A website describing a local dog leash ordinance, describing its history and the penalties for walking around with one's dog unleashed

Inform Explanation: The text provides information about a topic.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A pamphlet explaining how an unborn child may be affected when a pregnant mother smokes

Inform Explanation: The text provides information about about a topic.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A politician's speech about how health insurance should be provided to all families

Persuade Explanation: Speeches typically are trying to change the way a reader thinks or feels about a topic.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A young girl's note to her parents giving reasons why they should buy a puppy

Persuade Explanation: The young girl is attempting to persuade her parents.

What is the author's purpose of the following? A pamphlet urging people to not eat animals or use products made from animals or animal suffering because the author thinks that is cruel and unnecessary.

Persuade Explanation: This text is attempting to influence the way the reader thinks or feels.

What is the point of view of the following? "Do you want to take the shot, Vince?" The coach asked me. I looked into his eyes. They were ice-cold blue. His face did not betray his feelings, but I knew that he meant it. "I do, Coach. I can make the shot." I replied. He nodded and then put his hand on the top of my head. "I don't know how long any of us will live, but we will all remember what happens next for as long as we do." He then slapped me on the back. The referee blew the whistle and it was time to find out just how I would be remembered.

first person Explanation: The narrator tells his own story from the perspective of "I".

What is the point of view of the following? Congratulations on purchasing the "Tatakai Warriors: Fighting for Peanut Butter" computer game. Before you install this program, you'll need to make sure that you have at least 24 kb of free space on your installation target. Get ready to enjoy the adventure!

second person Explanation: The narration is speaking to the audience and uses "you".

What is the point of view of the following? Greg looked up at the bright lights in the operating room until they burned a white spot in his field of vision. He looked at the face of the surgeon and saw only a white blur. When he looked away, he could see the surgeon's masked face from his peripheries. He could hear him readying an array of metal instruments, many of which looked as though they might belong to a dentist. "I hope he's not going to use those on me!" Greg thought to himself with terror. The surgeon picked up the one that looked like a bent up question mark.

third person limited Explanation: The narrator only reveals Greg's thoughts and feelings, not those of the surgeon.

What is the point of view of the following? Odin brushed the snowflakes off of his sword and replied, "I will never accept a peace treaty from the Hamburgs. They are sworn enemies and so long as I can hold a sword, I will point it at Hamburgs." Epee looked at him and wrinkled her face. A long moment passed in silence. Snow continued to fall from the sky. Finally, Epee responded, "But, Odin, think about what peace might mean for the children." Odin sneered and said, "Humph," but made no further comment. Epee drew her weapon.

third person objective Explanation: The narrator tells a story they are not a part of. The narrator does not reveal any of the characters' thoughts or feelings, just their actions.

What is the point of view of the following? "Wow, look at his costume," said Annie. "He's dressed up like an electric jellyfish." She observed the flashing lights with genuine admiration. Adriana looked at the costume and scoffed. Secretly, she envied the detail and craftsmanship that went into the jellyfish costume, but she would never let on to Annie. "What kind of loser goes walking around like a Christmas tree?" Adriana said. Annie did not agree, but did not want to be disagreeable.

third person omniscient Explanation: The narrator tells us the thoughts and feelings of both Annie and Adriana.