Author's Purpose
The three main purposes of a text, remembered with the acronym PIE.
What are persuade, inform, and entertain?
This structure tells events in time order.
What is chronological (sequence) order?
The one-sentence main argument of an essay, often at the end of the introduction.
What is a thesis statement?
Words copied exactly from a text go inside these.
What are quotation marks?
Combining ideas from more than one source to create a new understanding.
What is synthesis?
A pamphlet explains which bin to use for glass, paper, and plastic. What is the purpose?
What is to inform?
This text structure uses the following signal words: because, therefore, as a result.
What is cause and effect?
Which is the better thesis?
(A) "This essay is about start times."
(B) "Schools should start later because teens need sleep to learn."
What is B? It takes a position and gives a reason.
Claim: Exercise improves mood. Which is better evidence?
(A) "Many people like to run."
(B) A study finding students who exercised daily reported less stress.
What is B? It's specific and directly supports the claim.
Source A says homework builds responsibility. Source B says too much homework causes stress. Give a synthesized idea.
Example: Homework helps most in moderate amounts.
An ad says, "Join the teens who already switched to Brightsmile!" What is the purpose?
What is to persuade?
This structure uses the signal words: similarly, however, on the other hand.
What is compare and contrast?
The other side's argument in an essay.
What is a counterclaim?
Explaining HOW your evidence proves your claim.
What is commentary (analysis/reasoning)?
Name one transition that connects two sources that agree.
What is similarly, likewise, also, or both?
Why might an author open an article about sleep with a funny story?
What is to hook or entertain the reader before informing them?
An article describes rising cafeteria waste, then proposes a composting program.
What is problem and solution?
Turn the topic "phones in class" into a thesis.
Any arguable claim with a reason (e.g., Schools should allow phones for research because they give quick access to information.)
Claim: The school needs a later lunch. Why is "Lunch is my favorite part of the day" weak evidence?
What is: it's a personal opinion that doesn't prove the need?
The difference between summarizing and synthesizing
What is: Summarizing restates one source; synthesizing combines several to make a new point.
Name two clues that show an author is trying to persuade.
What are opinion words, emotional language, a call to action, or one-sided evidence? (any two)
Why would an author use compare and contrast to write about two phones?
What is to show how they are alike and different so readers can decide?
True or false: "Dogs are mammals" is a strong thesis.
What is false? It's a fact, not arguable.
Name two qualities of the BEST evidence.
What are relevant, specific, credible, and directly connected to the claim? (any two)
Two sources disagree. The writer should...
What is: Acknowledge both, weigh their evidence, and explain how they connect to the writer's own claim?