Author's Purpose — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A recipe that lists ingredients and cooking steps was written to persuade people.
Corrected: A recipe that lists ingredients and cooking steps was written to inform people.
A recipe provides factual instructions — ingredients and steps — so readers can learn how to make something, making the purpose to inform rather than persuade.
2. Fix the sentence:
A mystery novel with surprising plot twists was written to inform the reader about crime.
Corrected: A mystery novel with surprising plot twists was written to entertain the reader.
A mystery novel uses plot twists and suspense to keep readers engaged in a fictional story, so the purpose is to entertain, not to inform about real crimes.
3. Fix the sentence:
A speech asking people to donate to a food bank was written to entertain the audience.
Corrected: A speech asking people to donate to a food bank was written to persuade the audience.
A speech asking people to donate is trying to convince the audience to take action, so the purpose is to persuade, not entertain.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. "George Washington was the first president of the United States." The author's purpose is to inform.
This sentence states a historical fact using straightforward, neutral language, which shows the author's purpose is to inform the reader.
2. "Join our soccer league — sign up before spots fill up!" The author's purpose is to persuade.
The command "Join" and the urgency of "before spots fill up" are designed to convince readers to sign up, so the purpose is to persuade.
3. "The pirate parrot squawked, 'Land ho!' and tripped over a coconut." The author's purpose is to entertain.
The humorous image of a parrot squawking pirate phrases and tripping over a coconut is meant to amuse the reader, so the purpose is to entertain.
4. When an author includes a call to action such as "call now" or "sign up today," the purpose is to persuade.
A "call" to action is a direct instruction telling the reader what to do, like "call now" or "sign up today," and it signals that the author wants to persuade.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Read: "The human body has 206 bones. The smallest bone is in the ear and is about the size of a grain of rice." What is the author's purpose? What evidence supports your answer?
Sample answer: The author's purpose is to inform. The passage includes specific facts — the number of bones and a comparison to show size — using neutral, objective language with no opinions or persuasive words.
A good answer includes: The author's purpose is to inform. The passage includes specific facts — the number of bones and a comparison to show size — using neutral, objective language with no opinions or persuasive words.
2. Think of a television commercial you have seen. What was the author's purpose, and what strategies did the commercial use to achieve that purpose?
Sample answer: The purpose of a commercial is to persuade viewers to buy a product. Commercials use strategies like catchy slogans, celebrity endorsements, and exciting images to make the product seem appealing and convince people they need it.
A good answer includes: The purpose of a commercial is to persuade viewers to buy a product. Commercials use strategies like catchy slogans, celebrity endorsements, and exciting images to make the product seem appealing and convince people they need it.