Welcome to our blog on reading comprehension! Today we will delve deeper into the skill of identifying an author’s purpose. This is an essential skill in understanding any written work, whether it be a novel, news article, or even a social media post. Understanding the author’s purpose allows the reader to gain insight into the message being communicated and to discern any underlying themes or biases.
In this blog post, we will explore the various purposes an author may have when writing, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or even to provoke. We will also cover the different clues and techniques that writers use to convey their purpose, including word choice, tone, and structure. By mastering these skills, you will become a more effective reader, able to analyze and interpret any written work with greater depth and accuracy.
1. Purpose shapes author’s writing.
Identifying the author’s purpose is an essential aspect of reading comprehension. Purpose shapes an author’s writing, and understanding it helps the reader to comprehend the text better. The author’s purpose can be to inform, persuade, entertain or describe. When an author intends to inform, their writing aims at educating the reader on a particular topic. Persuasive writing is intended to convince the reader to take a particular stance or action. Entertaining writing is meant to captivate the reader and offer enjoyment, while descriptive writing aims to create an experience or evoke emotion. Recognizing the author’s purpose in writing can help the reader to understand the text’s tone, language, and style. By identifying the author’s purpose, the reader can also determine the intended audience and the message the author is trying to convey. Overall, understanding the author’s purpose is crucial for reading comprehension and gaining a deeper appreciation of the text.
2. Identify clues in text.
When it comes to reading comprehension, one important skill to develop is the ability to identify the author’s purpose. This means being able to recognize whether the author’s main goal is to inform, persuade, entertain, or some combination of these. Identifying the author’s purpose can help the reader better understand the text and its underlying message, as well as make connections to their own experiences. One way to identify the author’s purpose is to look out for clues in the text. These clues may include things like the language used, the tone of the writing, and the types of evidence or examples presented. For example, if the language is formal and academic and the evidence presented is based on research studies, the author’s purpose is likely to inform. On the other hand, if the tone is emotional and the evidence presented is anecdotal, the author’s purpose may be to persuade or entertain. By developing the ability to identify these clues, readers can enhance their reading comprehension skills and gain a deeper understanding of the text.
3. Look for persuasive language.
When trying to identify an author’s purpose in a text, it is important to look for persuasive language. Persuasive language is used by authors to convince readers of a particular point of view or to persuade them to take a specific action. This can include using emotional appeals, such as pathos, to get readers to feel a certain way about a topic. It can also involve the use of rhetorical devices, such as repetition or parallelism, to make an argument more compelling. Identifying persuasive language can help improve reading comprehension by allowing readers to understand the author’s intent and message more clearly. By recognizing the author’s use of persuasive language, readers can better evaluate the credibility and validity of the argument being presented.
4. Determine if it informs.
When reading a text, one important aspect of reading comprehension is the ability to identify the author’s purpose. It is essential to determine why the author wrote the text, as it can help readers understand the message the author is trying to convey. One way to identify the author’s purpose is to ask yourself if the text informs the reader. If the text is informative, it aims to educate the reader about a specific topic or issue. The author’s goal is to provide information and facts to the reader. It is important to pay attention to the language used in the text, as informative texts often use a more formal tone and may include statistics, data, or other evidence to support their claims. By identifying the author’s purpose in writing an informative text, readers can gain a better understanding of the information presented and evaluate it critically.
5. Decide if it entertains.
The fifth step in identifying an author’s purpose in a text is to decide if it entertains. While some texts are written solely to inform or persuade, others are created to entertain the reader. This includes fiction, poetry, and other forms of creative writing. When reading a text, it’s important to consider whether the author’s intention is to engage and amuse the reader. This can be determined by analyzing the language used, the tone of the writing, and the overall structure of the text. By identifying the author’s purpose for writing, readers can improve their reading comprehension and gain a deeper understanding of the message being conveyed.
6. Consider if it persuades.
When trying to identify the author’s purpose in a text, one important factor to consider is whether the author is trying to persuade the reader. Persuasion is a common goal in many types of writing, from persuasive essays to advertising copy. To determine if a text is attempting to persuade the reader, look for language that is emotionally charged or biased in favor of a particular viewpoint. The author may also use rhetorical strategies such as appeals to authority or emotion to convince the reader of their argument. It is important to be aware of these persuasive techniques in order to improve your reading comprehension and critically evaluate the message being conveyed. By identifying the author’s purpose and assessing the effectiveness of their persuasive strategies, readers can develop a deeper understanding of the text and its underlying meaning.
7. Assess if it describes.
When it comes to reading comprehension, one of the most important skills you can have is the ability to identify the author’s purpose. This means that you should be able to understand the reason why the author wrote the text in the first place. One way to help identify the author’s purpose is to use the “7. Assess if it describes” technique. This technique involves asking yourself if the text describes or explains something, gives an opinion or argument, tells a story or recounts an event, gives instructions or directions, provides information or facts, persuades the reader to take a certain action, or entertains the reader. By assessing the text in this way, you can better understand the author’s purpose and improve your overall reading comprehension.
8. Practice with sample passages.
One of the best ways to improve your reading comprehension and develop your ability to identify author’s purpose is by practicing with sample passages. These passages can come from a variety of sources, such as books, articles, or even standardized tests. By reading and analyzing these passages, you can develop your ability to identify the author’s intent and purpose for writing the piece. As you practice with more samples, you will become better at identifying key details, recognizing patterns in the text, and picking up on the author’s tone and style. Remember, identifying author’s purpose is a key skill for reading comprehension, and practicing with sample passages is a great way to hone this skill.
In conclusion, identifying the author’s purpose is an important skill for readers of all ages and educational backgrounds. By understanding why the author wrote a piece, readers can better comprehend the information presented and evaluate its usefulness or credibility. Whether the author’s purpose is to inform, persuade, entertain, or something else entirely, recognizing it can help readers engage with the text on a deeper level. Therefore, developing this skill is crucial for anyone who wants to become a more effective reader and critical thinker.
SAT Reading Practice
SAT Questions:
- Based on the passage, what is the primary reason for identifying an author’s purpose in writing a text?
A) To critique the author’s writing style
B) To evaluate the author’s prior experience
C) To determine the target audience
D) To discern the message being communicated - What does understanding an author’s purpose help readers discern?
A) The author’s favorite books
B) The author’s personal beliefs
C) The underlying themes and biases
D) The author’s daily routine - Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a purpose an author may have when writing?
A) To enlighten
B) To entertain
C) To persuade
D) To provoke - How can identifying the author’s purpose help in understanding a text’s tone and style?
A) By memorizing the text
B) By analyzing the author’s handwriting
C) By recognizing the purpose of each paragraph
D) By discerning the intended message - Which of the following techniques is suggested for identifying an author’s purpose in a text?
A) Reading only the first and last paragraphs
B) Looking for clues in the text
C) Skipping the introduction
D) Guessing randomly - What is an indication that an author’s purpose is to persuade in a text?
A) The language used is informal and casual
B) The evidence presented is based on personal opinions
C) The tone is neutral and objective
D) The use of emotionally charged language - Why is it important to determine if a text aims to entertain?
A) To evaluate the author’s sense of humor
B) To make the reader laugh
C) To enhance reading comprehension
D) To critique the fictional elements - Assessing if a text describes is one way to identify the author’s purpose. What does this involve?
A) Analyzing the story’s characters
B) Determining if the text is instructional
C) Evaluating the accuracy of the information
D) Counting the number of paragraphs - How can practicing with sample passages benefit a reader’s comprehension skills?
A) By memorizing the passages
B) By enhancing the ability to identify the author’s purpose
C) By avoiding reading altogether
D) By focusing only on the answer key - According to the passage, why is recognizing the author’s purpose crucial for readers?
A) To skip reading unnecessary information
B) To evaluate the credibility and validity of the text
C) To make assumptions about the author’s background
D) To identify the font size used in the text
Answer Key:
- D) To discern the message being communicated
- C) The underlying themes and biases
- A) To enlighten
- D) By discerning the intended message
- B) Looking for clues in the text
- D) The use of emotionally charged language
- C) To enhance reading comprehension
- B) Determining if the text is instructional
- B) By enhancing the ability to identify the author’s purpose
- B) To evaluate the credibility and validity of the text