Purpose Flashcards

A student reads a recipe for making a fruit salad. What is the author's purpose for writing the recipe?

Answer: To inform readers how to make a fruit salad

A recipe gives instructions to help readers complete a task, which is an informational purpose.

Which title BEST suggests the author's purpose is to entertain?

Answer: The Dragon Who Was Scared of Butterflies

A silly, imaginative title about a dragon suggests the book is a fantasy meant to entertain.

An author uses the phrase 'I strongly believe' in a passage. This phrase signals that the author's purpose is most likely to —

Answer: persuade the reader to agree with an opinion

'I strongly believe' signals an opinion, and sharing opinions to convince readers is the purpose of persuasive writing.

A text about the IREAD-3 test explains what topics are covered and how students can prepare. What is the author's purpose?

Answer: To inform students about the IREAD-3 test and preparation

Explaining test topics and preparation strategies is the purpose of informational writing for students.

A story ends with the main character learning that honesty is the best policy after lying got him into trouble. The PRIMARY purpose of this story is to —

Answer: entertain readers while teaching a moral lesson

A fiction story that uses events to deliver a moral is written to entertain readers while conveying a lesson.

A sign at a zoo reads: 'Please do not feed the animals. It can make them very sick.' What is the author's purpose?

Answer: To persuade visitors not to feed the animals

The sign uses 'please do not' and a reason to convince visitors to change their behavior, which is persuasive.

A student is not sure if a passage is written to inform or to persuade. Which question should the student ask FIRST?

Answer: Does the passage mainly give facts or mainly try to convince me to think or do something?

Asking whether the text gives facts or tries to convince you is the best way to distinguish informational from persuasive writing.