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Author's Purpose Exploration

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Author's Purpose Exploration

Read the two short texts. Then investigate what each writer wants readers to think, feel or do. Use clues from the words and details to support your answers.

Text 1: The creek clean-up

On Saturday morning, Ivy arrived at Willow Creek with a pair of gloves and a bucket. After heavy rain, rubbish had washed onto the muddy bank. A plastic bottle was caught between two reeds, and a chip packet lay beside a patch of bright green grass. Ivy and her neighbours worked along the creek. They sorted what they found: cans in one bag, plastic in another. By lunchtime, the bags were full. A blue-tongue lizard slowly crossed the path and disappeared beneath a log. Ivy smiled. The creek looked cleaner, and the little animal had a safer place to live. Next month, the group planned to return. Ivy hoped more people would join them.

Text 2: Make your street a little greener

Could your street use more shade? Planting a native tree can help. Trees provide shelter for birds, cool the ground on hot days and make a street more pleasant to walk along. Before planting, choose a tree that suits your space. Ask your local council which native species grow well in your area, and check where underground pipes are buried. Water the young tree regularly while it becomes established. Why not talk with a neighbour and plan a planting day? One small tree can be the start of a greener street.

1.What is the main purpose of Text 1?

To entertain readers with an adventure
To inform readers about a creek clean-up
To persuade readers to buy a bucket
To explain how lizards hatch

2.Which detail from Text 1 best shows that the clean-up helped wildlife?

Ivy brought a bucket.
The group worked until lunchtime.
A blue-tongue lizard crossed the path and found shelter beneath a log.
The neighbours sorted cans and plastic.

3.How does the final sentence of Text 1 hint at a message beyond simply describing what happened?

4.What is the main purpose of Text 2?

To persuade readers to consider planting a native tree
To entertain readers with a funny story
To describe the life cycle of a tree
To report the results of a tree-counting survey

5.Find one sentence in Text 2 that gives a reason to plant a tree. Explain how that reason might persuade a reader.

6.Which phrase in Text 2 most clearly invites the reader to take action?

“on hot days”
“choose a tree that suits your space”
“Why not talk with a neighbour and plan a planting day?”
“underground pipes are buried”

7.Match each writing clue to what it helps the writer do. Clues: A. “Ivy smiled.” B. “Ask your local council…” C. “Why not talk with a neighbour…?” Purpose: 1. Give practical advice. 2. Show a character’s feelings. 3. Encourage the reader to act.

A. “Ivy smiled.”
B. “Ask your local council…”
C. “Why not talk with a neighbour…?”

1. Give practical advice
3. Encourage the reader to act
2. Show a character’s feelings

8.Both texts are about caring for the environment. Which text is more directly trying to change what readers do? Give one clue that supports your answer.

9.True or false: Text 1 is mainly written to entertain, while Text 2 is mainly written to persuade.

TrueFalse

10.Imagine you are writing a short notice to invite families to the next creek clean-up. Write one persuasive sentence that could encourage them to come.