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Author's Purpose: Why Did the Writer Write This?

In one line: The author's purpose is the main reason a writer wrote a text, usually to inform (teach you facts), to persuade (get you to agree or do something) or to entertain (make you enjoy it).

Why it works

When you know why something was written, you read it more wisely. You can tell when a writer is trying to change your mind, and you can check whether facts are being used fairly. Spotting the purpose also helps you understand the writer's choices, such as why an advert uses exciting words or why a science book uses headings and diagrams. It is a skill you will use for life, from reading news stories to choosing what to buy.

Think of it like: Think of an author's purpose like the reason someone phones you. A friend might ring to tell you what time football starts (inform), to beg you to come to their party (persuade), or to tell you a funny story about their dog (entertain). You can usually work out the reason from what they say and how they say it. (Where this breaks: On a phone call you can simply ask, "Why are you calling?" With a text, you usually cannot ask the author, so you have to find clues in the words, the layout and the type of text. Also, many texts mix purposes, so you must decide which one is the main one.)

Worked example

Read this text and decide the author's main purpose: "Did you know that a single hedgehog can eat up to 100 slugs and beetles in one night? Sadly, hedgehog numbers are falling fast. Please leave a small gap under your garden fence so hedgehogs can travel safely. Do it this weekend. Every gap counts!"

  1. Ask: what type of text is this? It reads like a short notice or leaflet speaking directly to the reader.
  2. Look for facts. "A hedgehog can eat up to 100 slugs and beetles in one night" is a fact, so there is some informing.
  3. Look for commands and feeling words. "Please leave a small gap", "Do it this weekend" and "Sadly" try to make the reader care and act.
  4. Ask: what does the writer want me to do or think at the end? They want the reader to cut a gap in their fence.
  5. Decide the main purpose. The facts are there to support the request, so the main purpose is to persuade.

Answer: The author's main purpose is to persuade. The facts about hedgehogs are used as evidence to convince the reader to make a gap in their fence.

Common mistakes

  • Deciding the purpose is "to inform" just because a text contains facts; instead, ask what the writer wants you to do or think by the end, because persuasive texts often use facts as evidence.
  • Assuming every story is only to entertain; check whether the story also has a clear lesson or message, though entertaining is usually still the main purpose of fiction.
  • Guessing from one sentence; read the whole text and look at clues such as the type of text, headings, commands and emotional words before deciding.
  • Writing only "to persuade" without saying what; give a full answer, such as "to persuade readers to recycle more", and back it up with evidence from the text.

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"Max the cat tried to catch his own tail. He spun so fast that he fell into the paddling pool with a giant SPLASH!" What is the author's main purpose?

Questions parents ask

What year do kids learn about author's purpose?

Children usually start talking about why a text was written around Year 2 or 3 in Australia and the UK, or grades 2 to 3 in the US. It is developed through Year 6 (Australia/UK) and grade 5 (US), when children are expected to explain the purpose using evidence from the text.

What does PIE stand for in author's purpose?

PIE is a memory trick that stands for Persuade, Inform and Entertain, the three most common reasons authors write. Some teachers add more, such as to explain, describe or instruct, which are often treated as types of informing.

How can I help my child with author's purpose at home?

Point to everyday texts such as cereal boxes, adverts, recipes, comics and news headlines, and ask, "Why do you think someone wrote this?" Then ask, "What clues tell you that?" so your child learns to back up their answer with words from the text.

Can a text have more than one author's purpose?

Yes, many texts mix purposes, for example an advert might be funny (entertain) and give facts (inform) while mainly trying to sell something (persuade). Encourage your child to name the main purpose by asking what the writer most wants the reader to think or do at the end.