📚 Part 1: Text Structure & Author's Purpose

1. How does the author organize the information in the Gorillas in the Mist excerpt?

Problem and solution

Cause and effect

Description (setting to action)

Compare and contrast

2. What is Dian Fossey's main purpose for writing this text?

To entertain readers with gorilla stories

To inform readers about gorilla behavior and conservation

To persuade readers to become scientists

To compare gorillas to other animals

3. Which transition words help show how the author organizes her ideas? Check all that apply:

First, then, next

However, but, although

For example, such as

Because, therefore, as a result

4. Complete this sentence about the text structure:

The author organizes this section by starting with _________________ and then moving to _________________.

🔍 Part 2: Claims and Evidence Analysis

5. What is one main claim the author makes about gorillas in the text?

6. Find one piece of evidence (fact or example) that supports the author's claim about gorilla conservation:

7. Explain how this evidence connects to the author's claim (your reasoning):

8. The author uses facts to support her arguments. Which type of evidence is most convincing in this text?

Personal observations of gorilla behavior

Statistics about gorilla populations

Expert opinions from other scientists

Historical information about gorillas

9. What message does Dian Fossey want readers to understand about gorillas and conservation?

10. How does the way the author organizes the text help you understand her main message better?

Extension Activity: If you were writing about an endangered animal, what would be your main claim and what evidence would you use to support it?