Author's Purpose

Why did the author write this?

See the first table here.

Definition:
Author’s Purpose is the reason why the text was written. There are four main purposes to an
author’s passage.
To:
1. Persuade
2. Inform
3. Entertain
4. Explain

Author’s Purpose: To Persuade
• It’s the author’s goal to persuade the reader to agree with the author’s opinion.
• Even though the author shares his opinion, he may provide facts or examples to support
the opinion.
• Examples: advertisements, commercials, newspaper editorial, etc.

Author's Purpose: To Inform
• It’s the author’s goal to enlighten the reader with topics that are usually real or contain
facts.
• Facts are used to teach, not to persuade.
• Examples: textbooks, cookbooks, newspapers, encyclopedias, etc.

Author’s Purpose: To Entertain
• It is the author’s goal to simply entertain; provide enjoyment for the reader

Author’s Purpose: To Explain
• It is the author’s goal to tell a story or describe real or imaginary characters, places, and
events
• Examples: poems, stories, plays, comic strips, etc.

Source