Author's Purpose
Text:
"You drag your backpack through the crowded hallway, dodging elbows and spilled coffee. A teacher sighs behind you—late again."
Question:
What is the author’s main purpose? Explain.
Entertain – The descriptive, relatable language draws the reader into a scene.
Persuasive—it subtly critiques hectic school routines, nudging readers to reflect on them.
"First, gather your ingredients. Then, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After that, mix the flour and sugar…"
Question:
What text structure is used here? What clue words help you decide?
Structure: Sequence/chronological.
Justification: Signal words like “first,” “then,” and “after that” indicate a step-by-step order.
"Students should be allowed to retake major assessments. A recent survey showed that 78% of middle schoolers perform better on a second try, and many teachers report deeper learning as a result."
Question:
What is the author's main claim? Evaluate whether the evidence effectively supports it. Why or why not?
Claim: Students should be allowed to retake assessments.
Evaluation: The evidence is strong—it includes data from a survey and teacher observations, both of which directly support the claim by showing improved performance and learning.
Text:
"The fluorescent lights hum above as you slide into the cold plastic seat. Another lecture. Another hour of pretending to take notes while your mind escapes to somewhere—anywhere—else."
Question:
What is the author's purpose of this passage? Explain.
Entertain – The vivid sensory language (“cold plastic seat,” “pretending to take notes”) immerses the reader in a relatable moment.
Persuade – It subtly critiques the monotony of traditional classroom learning, possibly encouraging reflection or change.
"While both dolphins and sharks live in the ocean and have streamlined bodies, dolphins are mammals and breathe air, while sharks are fish and use gills."
Question:
What is the text structure? How do the sentence elements support your answer?
Structure: Compare and contrast.
Justification: The passage highlights similarities and differences using “while,” “both,” and “different.”
Text:
"Video games are more than just entertainment—they help develop real-world skills. For example, players in strategy games must plan, adapt, and manage resources, much like a business leader."
Question:
Identify the claim and explain whether the example supports it. Could the evidence be stronger?
Claim: Video games build real-world skills.
Evaluation: The example supports the claim by showing a skill connection. However, the evidence is anecdotal—it could be stronger with data or expert testimony.
Text:
"Plastic straws might seem small, but they’re part of a much larger problem. Every day, millions end up in the ocean, threatening marine life. The solution? Simple: ditch them."
Question:
What is the author's purpose? Explain.
Persuade – The language is urgent (“threatening marine life,” “The solution? Simple”) and calls for action.
Inform – It includes factual details about environmental impact to support its argument.
"Pollution levels have skyrocketed in the past decade. As a result, many cities now monitor air quality daily and issue alerts to protect public health."
Question:
What structure does this passage use? Explain with evidence.
Structure: Cause and effect.
Justification: The phrase “as a result” connects the cause (pollution) to the effect (air monitoring).
Text:
"School lunches should include more fresh food. One student said the apples are often bruised, and the lettuce is usually soggy."
Question:
State the claim. Is the evidence strong, weak, or biased? Defend your answer.
Claim: School lunches should have more fresh food.
Evaluation: The evidence is weak—it's based on a single student’s opinion, which is subjective and not generalizable. Stronger evidence would include broader student surveys or nutritional studies.
"The knight lowered his sword, sweat dripping from his brow. The dragon stared back—not with rage, but with something closer to regret. They had both come too far to turn back now."
Question:
Identify the author's purpose of the passage. Explain.
Entertain – The dramatic tension and imaginative setting draw the reader into a fictional moment.
Persuade (subtly) – The scene may symbolize conflict resolution or empathy, suggesting deeper reflection on confrontation.
"Cell phones have become essential tools for communication, research, and safety. Their versatility makes them valuable in nearly every area of modern life."
Question:
Which text structure is used? What does the structure help the author accomplish?
Structure: Description.
Justification: The paragraph provides details about what cell phones do to explain their value.
"Recess should be extended by 15 minutes. A 2022 study in Pediatrics Weekly found that students with longer recess had fewer behavior issues and better focus in class."
Question:
What is the claim? How credible and relevant is the evidence? Use specific reasoning.
Claim: Recess should be longer.
Evaluation: The evidence is credible (peer-reviewed study) and relevant (links recess to behavior and focus), making it strong support for the claim.
Text:
"Statistics show that students who sleep less than 6 hours a night perform worse on tests, experience higher anxiety, and are more likely to skip breakfast. Yet schools still start before 8 a.m."
Question:
What is the author’s purpose? Explain.
Persuade – The use of statistics and contrast (“Yet schools still…”) presents a clear argument for later school start times.
Inform – It presents real data to support the argument and raise awareness.
"In the early 1900s, factories began using assembly lines to produce goods faster. Over time, this revolutionized the way products were made, making items cheaper and more available."
Question:
Identify the text structure and explain how the organization supports the author’s point.
Structure: Chronological or cause/effect.
Justification: The paragraph explains a historical progression and impact of the assembly line.
"Reading fiction builds empathy. In one experiment, people who read literary fiction scored higher on empathy tests than those who read nonfiction or nothing at all."
Question:
What is the claim? Analyze whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient. Defend your answer.
Claim: Reading fiction increases empathy.
Evaluation: The evidence is relevant because it directly measures empathy after reading fiction. It’s fairly strong, though the answer could note the need for more studies to confirm.