Name______________________

Period__________________

Who is listening?
Activity 1.
Classroom definition Your definition

Sentence using the word Picture

Classroom definition Your definition

Sentence using the word Picture

 Classroom definition Your definition

Sentence using the word Picture

Activity 2.
An author writes for many reasons. An author may give you facts or true
information about a subject. Some authors write fiction stories or stories that are not true.
They write these stories to entertain you. Other authors may write to persuade or to try to
get you to do something.

Directions:

READ EACH OF THE FOLLOWING WRITINGS AND DECIDE WHETHER THE

AUTHOR'S PURPOSE IS TO:

persuade
inform
entertain

1. It was a glorious morning in Alabama. The sun was shining through the trees. Alan
couldn't wait to find his fishing pole and call his friend Sam to go fishing. They had a
great time on these early morning fishing trips. They took their dogs with them and the
dogs would swim in the lake while they fished. It was so funny to watch those dogs
paddle around the lake.

What is the author's purpose of this writing? ____________________________

2. The Slim-O-Matic will cause you to loose pounds and inches from your body in one
month. This amazing machine helps you to exercise correctly and provides an easy video
to show you the proper way to exercise. Send $75.99 and begin exercising today.

What is the author's purpose of this writing? ____________________________

3. The Underground Railroad was a secret organization which helped slaves escape to
freedom. Many slaves were able to escape because of the conductors and station masters.
The northern states were Free states and slaves were free once they arrived in the north.
Secret codes and signals were used to identify the conductors and station masters.

What is the author's purpose of this writing? ____________________________

Activity 3.
No need to write for this one just play the online
matching game!

Activity 4.

Author's Purpose and Point of View

Post test

1. What is it called when the author expresses his opinions and views?
a. entertainment
b. point of view
c. climax

2. All of the following are three main reasons why an author writes a story, EXCEPT to
a. inform.
b. persuade.
c. entertain.
d. to make sure the reader enjoys what he or she is reading.
Identifying the author's purpose. Read the following passages and answer the questions.

3. Lisa always looked forward to the fall because of the Harvest Festival. Of course, she
loved the rides, but she really enjoyed the shows. This year would be the best. Lisa had a
special opportunity to perform in the talent show.

The author's purpose is to

a. entertain.
b. persuade.
c. inform.
d. create a mysterious mood.

4. What do you do with aluminum cans? Do you throw them in the trash, or do you
recycle when you are finished with them? At the rate we are filling our landfills, we will
not have anywhere else to put our trash. If you recycle, you will help the environment.
The next time you throw away your Coke can, think about putting it in a recycling bin.
Your effort will help save your community.

The author's purpose is to

a. entertain.
b. persuade.
c. inform.
d. create a mysterious mood.

5. Tomatoes were once considered poisonous. Some brave people finally took a bite of a
tomato, and they survived. Now, we use tomatoes in our salads and sandwiches. Do you
ever use tomato sauce or ketchup? These products are made of tomatoes. If it weren't for
these brave individuals, you might not be able to enjoy ketchup with your french-fries.

The author's purpose is to

a. entertain.
b. persuade.
c. inform.
d. create a mysterious mood.

6. The impressive eagle is a national symbol in the United States for patriotism and
freedom. Because the bald eagle was once hunted for sport, it is on the verge of
extinction. If you kill a bald eagle, you can go to jail. Unfortunately, the bald eagle still
maybe become extinct.
The author's purpose is to
a. entertain.
b. persuade.
c. inform.
d. create a mysterious mood.

7. Most people think that gorillas are mean, but actually they are shy. It seems that such a
huge animal with very large teeth would be aggressive. Hollywood movies help convey
this image of the scary, ferocious gorilla. In fact, gorillas only attack if they are provoked.
However, gorillas usually don't have to fight other animals because of their impressive
size.

The author believes that

a. Gorillas are misunderstood as vicious animals.
b. Gorillas are mean animals.
c. Gorillas don't like other animals.
d. Gorillas communicate well with other animals.

8. This was Kathy's first baby-sitting job. She was so excited, but she was really nervous.
Kathy's parents made her attend a baby-sitting workshop before she could baby-sit her
neighbor's five-year-old son, Matthew. Kathy knew this was a lot of responsibility, but
she thought she was ready. Kathy marched confidently to Matthew's house and waved
goodbye to Matthew's parents. It seemed as soon as his parents left, Matthew fell and hit
his chin on the coffee table. Without panicking, she remembered what she learned in her
baby-sitting class and applied first-aid.

The author wants to show that

a. Matthew should not run in the house.
b. Kathy is ready to baby-sit.
c. Kathy needs to attend more baby-sitting workshops.
d. Coffee tables can be dangerous.

9-10 . Ted, the school reporter, interviewed both candidates for the school election. In his
column on the school election, he printed his interview with the two candidates. The
following selections were taken out of the school newspaper.

1st letter. Do you want the best class president for your school? If so, please vote for
Marco Rodriguez. I am a responsible candidate who will work hard to make our school a
better place. Vote for Marco this coming Tuesday.
2nd letter: We need a change at our school. I am the person for this job. I am an honor
student who is involved in many different activities. I know I can make a difference. Vote
for me, and our school will be even better. Candice Park

9. Ted mentioned the two candidates in his article because

a. he thought Candice Park was a better candidate.
b. he was friends with Marco.
c. his teacher told him to.
d. he wanted to give both candidates an equal opportunity.

10. Ted believes that

a. Marco should be the president.
b. Candace should be president.
c. all students should vote.
d. the students should know the candidates' views.

Activity 5.
Political cartoon
1. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Activity 6.
1. What is the authors purpose for writing this article?
__________________________________________________
2. Who is the targeted audience for this article?
__________________________________________________
3. How do you know who this is written for? Give examples (language,
visuals, location)
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Activity 7.
1. Which two commercials did you watch?
____________________________________________________
2. What is the authors purpose here?
____________________________________________________
3. Who are these advertisements aimed at?
______________________
4. How do you know? (give three examples)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Activity 8.
Read the article and answer the following:
1. Who is this article about?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. What happened in the article?
____________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. Where did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. When did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
5. What was the authors purpose for writing this article?
____________________________________________________
6. Who is the targeted audience for this article? How do you know?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Activity 9.
Read the article and answer the following:
1. Who is this article about?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. What happened in the article?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. Where did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. When did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
 5. What was the authors purpose for writing this article?
____________________________________________________
6. Who is the targeted audience for this article? How do you know?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Activity 10.
1. Who is the main character of this story? __________________
2. What is the basic plot? (what happens?)
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
3. Describe the main character. Use examples from the story to
support your ideas.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
4. What is the authors purpose in writing this story?( inform,
entertain or persuade) ________________________________
Activity 11.
1. What is the authors purpose in writing this blog?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. What do you notice about the style of writing? (grammar, punctuation,
etc.)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Activity 12.

Read the blog and all seven responses. Then answer the following:

1. What is this article about?

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2. What is being proposed in the article?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3. Where did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. When did it take place?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
5. What was the original authors purpose for writing this article?
____________________________________________________
6. What the purpose of the people who responded to the original blog?
____________________________________________________
7. Who is the targeted audience for this article? How do you know?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
8. What do you notice about the language being used (words, grammar,
punctuation). Are they formal or informal?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________