Author’s Purpose
This is the reason an author writes a story or article.
What is the author's purpose?
This is the message or lesson the author wants you to learn.
What is the theme?
These are the words around an unknown word that help you figure out its meaning.
What are context clues?
When you use clues from the text and what you already know, you're making one of these.
What is an inference?
This tells what a paragraph or passage is mostly about.
What is the main idea?
If an author writes a book to make you laugh, the purpose is this.
What is to entertain?
A story where characters learn to forgive shows this theme.
What is forgiveness?
In "The arid desert had no rain for months," this word means dry. What clue helped?
What is “had no rain”?
If a girl is holding an umbrella and the ground is wet, you can infer this.
What is it’s raining or it just rained?
These help explain or prove the main idea.
What are supporting details?
A recipe or how-to guide is usually written to do this.
What is to explain?
A theme that shows "working hard brings success" is this.
What is perseverance or hard work pays off
In "He was ecstatic when he won the prize—he jumped and screamed," what does ecstatic mean?
What is very happy or excited?
A boy yawns, rubs his eyes, and lays down—what can you infer?
What is he’s tired or ready for bed?
"Bees help plants grow, make honey, and live in hives" — What’s the main idea?
What is bees are important or interesting insects?
If an author wants to make you believe or do something, the purpose is this.
What is to persuade?
If a story shows that friends help each other in tough times, this is the theme.
What is friendship or loyalty?
In "The cat was so lethargic that it didn’t move all day," what does lethargic mean?
What is tired or without energy?
"Mom sighed when she saw my messy room." What can you infer about Mom’s feelings?
What is she’s upset or disappointed?
“Tornadoes have strong winds, can destroy buildings, and are very dangerous.” What’s the main idea?
What is tornadoes are dangerous?
A book about the dangers of smoking might entertain and inform, but the main purpose is likely this.
What is to persuade?
This theme appears when a character learns it's okay to be different.
What is acceptance?
In "The wind was so turbulent, it shook the windows and knocked down trees," what does turbulent mean?
What is rough or stormy?
If a character is hiding behind a door and breathing fast, you can infer they feel this way.
What is scared or nervous?
If the main idea is “Volcanoes are powerful,” name one possible supporting detail.
What is they can erupt with lava or destroy cities?