English Language Arts
Grade 4
15 min
Identify the purpose of a text
Identify the purpose of a text
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the three main author's purposes: to persuade, to inform, and to entertain.
Identify the author's purpose in a grade-appropriate text.
Use the 'PIE' acronym as a tool to remember the three main purposes.
Locate specific text clues, such as facts, opinions, or story elements, that reveal the author's purpose.
Explain their reasoning for choosing a specific purpose, using evidence from the text.
Differentiate between texts that have similar topics but different purposes.
Have you ever wondered why someone wrote a story, an article, or even the back of a cereal box? 🤔 Let's become text detectives and uncover the secret reasons behind the words!
In this lesson, we will learn about the author's purpose, which is the...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Author's PurposeThe main reason an author decides to write about a specific topic. It's what the author wants the reader to do, think, or feel after reading.The author's purpose for writing a recipe is to inform you how to cook a certain dish.
PersuadeThe author wants to convince you to agree with their opinion, believe something, or take a specific action.A poster that says, 'Vote for Sarah for Class President! She's the best choice!'
InformThe author wants to give you facts, details, and true information about a subject.A non-fiction book that explains the life cycle of a butterfly with diagrams and facts.
EntertainThe author wants to provide enjoyment for the reader. The text is meant to be fun, exciting, scary, or funny.A fantasy nov...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The PIE Method
Authors write to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain (PIE).
Use this easy acronym to remember the three main purposes. When you finish reading, ask yourself: Was the author trying to get me to do or believe something (P)? Was the author teaching me facts (I)? Or was the author telling me an enjoyable story (E)?
The Clue Hunter's Rule
Look for specific types of clues in the text.
To find the purpose, hunt for clues! For 'Persuade,' look for opinions and strong words (e.g., 'must,' 'best'). For 'Inform,' look for facts, numbers, and definitions. For 'Entertain,' look for characters, dialogue, and a story plot.
The 'Why?' Question
After reading, always ask: 'Why did the author write this?'...
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Challenging
A book describes the life of a polar bear cub. It is written like a story, following the cub as it learns to hunt and survive. The book also contains many scientific facts about polar bear habitats and behaviors. What is the author's MOST likely primary purpose?
A.To persuade people to save the polar bears
B.To inform readers with a list of facts about polar bears
C.To entertain readers with an engaging story that also teaches them
D.To compare polar bears to other types of bears
Challenging
A book's title is 'The Secret of the Whispering Woods,' and its first sentence is, 'No one in the town of Oakhaven dared to enter the woods after dark.' Without reading any more, what is the author's most likely purpose?
A.To inform you about different types of trees
B.To entertain you with a mystery or adventure story
C.To persuade you to visit the town of Oakhaven
D.To teach you how to be safe in the woods
Challenging
An author writes an article that begins with the fact, 'Studies show that kids who read for 20 minutes a day do better in school.' The article ends by saying, 'So, you should pick up a book every night!' Why did the author include the fact at the beginning?
A.To provide strong evidence to support their persuasive message
B.Because the author's main goal is to inform the reader about studies
C.To entertain the reader with a surprising piece of information
D.To make the article longer and harder to read
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