6th English author's purpose
True or false: Nonfiction books never contain text features.
False! Nonfiction does contain text features
What 3 letters (they make a word) represent an author's purpose in writing a selection? What does each letter stand for?
PIE P-persuade I-inform E-entertain
Why do authors write FICTION?
To entertain us with writing that is mostly imagined
Why do author's write NONFICTION?
To inform or explain information to readers or to persuade readers to do or believe something.
Juan decides to skip the chapter about Spain. He turns to chapter 3 on Italian food. He begins reading. Which of the following is most likely true? a. Juan will have to read chapter 2 later in order to write his report. b. Juan is using the text features correctly to skim the text and find the information he needs. c. Juan is reading the book from cover to cover.
b. Juan is using the text features correctly to skim the text and find the information he needs.
IF a word is in bold, italics, or underlined, it might be: a. a less important detail b. spelled incorrectly c. a new term to learn
c. a new term to learn
Juan knows that 'Italy' will be described on pages 22-30. To figure this out, he probably: a. looked for 'Italy' in the glossary b. looked for 'Italy' on a diagram c. looked for 'Italy' in the index
c. looked for 'Italy' in the index
What are some other text features in nonfiction writing. Hint: Think about your math, history, or science books.
charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, bold print,
List at least 3 examples of writing meant to entertain.
comic books, jokes, fiction books, poetry
What are text features and why do authors use them?
components added to the text... to help readers understand the text
List at least 3 examples of writing meant to inform.
cookbooks, research papers, news reports, maps, charts, graphs, textbooks
In the book she's reading, Jenny sees a picture of a plant with different parts labeled. This is a:
diagram
Which 'author's purpose' is used when the author is trying to amuse someone?
entertain
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: A book of over 1,000 knock-knock jokes.
entertain It's meant to make you laugh or to amuse you.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: the story of a young woman who, after the death of her grandfather, quit her job in the business world and returned home to help her aging grandmother.
entertain It's telling a story, so it's purpose is to entertain.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: a poem about a "packrat," a person who refuses to throw things away, even things that most people would consider garbage.
entertain Poems are written to entertain, and this is a poem.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: a short story written by an amateur golfer that makes fun of other popular sports.
entertain Stories are written to entertain, and this is a story that is meant to be humorous or funny.
Think about it! If what you read or saw made you laugh or it amused you, the author's purpose was to:
entertain you
Which text feature would tell you the major topic or main idea in one chapter of a text?
heading
Think about it! If what you read or saw provided facts or taught you something, the author's purpose was to:
inform
Which 'author's purpose' is used when the author is giving information about something?
inform
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: a cook book containing recipes for making cakes, cookies, and other desserts.
inform Recipes provide information on how to make desserts.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: an article comparing and contrasting American and European health care systems
inform This provides information, so it is meant to inform the reader.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: an article about how the sport of golf got started.
inform This provides information, so it is meant to inform.
What are text structures?
one of several ways the author can write the text.
Think about it! If what you read or saw tried to convince you of something or change your mind about something, the author's purpose was to:
persuade
Which 'author's purpose' is used when the author is trying to convince you to think the way he/she thinks?
persuade
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: a pamphlet urging people not to eat animals or use products made from animals because the author thinks that is cruel and unnecessary.
persuade The author is trying to change your mind about eating or using animals for testing.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: an article where a professional golfer argues that golf is the greatest sport of all time.
persuade The author is trying to influence or persuade the reader that golf is the best sport.
Read the following and then determine the author's purpose in writing the selection and then tell how you know that is the author's purpose: a politician's speech about how health insurance should be provided to all families
persuade The author wants to influence or persuade the reader.
Cynthia doesn't understand what's going on in a picture in her book. What can she do?
read the caption
List at least 3 examples of writing meant to persuade.
speeches, billboards, advertisements, bumper stickers
The next 10 questions are from the 'Text Features' worksheet you completed in class. Which text feature would you use to find the names of all chapters in a book and the pages where they started?
table of contents
You completed an activity in your reader's notebook and learned about 4 nonfiction text features. What are those 4?
table of contents index glossary caption
What is the purpose of a graph or chart?
they display and organize facts and numbers.
