Author's Purpose
What is the author's purpose of the below passage?
Five Reasons You Should Vote for Stephanie Hill
Our school deserves a class president with experience, vision, and tons of school spirit. That's why you should vote to re-elect our current class president, Stephanie Hill!
Need more specific reasons why? Here are five to remember as you cast your vote next Friday.
To persuade voters to vote for Stephanie Hill
What text structure is this sentence an example of?
A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea, whereas verbs describe action.
Compare and contrast
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It is important to understand that every decision we make has consequences, whether we see them immediately or not. We must think carefully about our actions and how they affect others.
Serious
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When Mia first saw the new kid, Jack, she assumed he was rude because he didn’t talk much and always wore a scowl. But one day, when her books spilled all over the hallway, Jack was the only one who stopped to help.
Possible theme: Never judge a book by its cover
What is the author's main claim in the below passage?
If you want to become a better writer, you should read more often and read good texts. It doesn’t matter what kind: magazines, newspapers, novels, nonfiction books. As you read, you will pick up on the rules of the written word. The more you read, the more familiar these rules will become. You will also become more familiar with the ways that good writers structure their texts and organize their thoughts.
"If you want to become a better writer, you should read more often and read good texts"
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"Seeing an anaconda up close for the first time changed my life," says animal expert Rowena Lewis. Anacondas are some of the biggest snakes in the world. On average, they are at least 20 feet long and weigh 300 pounds. Members of the boa constrictor family, these reptiles make their homes in the wet jungles of the Amazon in South America.
To inform about anacondas
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The Nile River in Africa is over 4,000 miles long and it flows north into the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the tone of the below passage?
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop interrupting me? It's like you don't even care about anyone else's opinion but your own!"
Angry
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Tommy had always dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, but after losing the big game, he felt like giving up. However, he reminded himself that every setback was just another chance to work harder, and he promised himself to keep pushing forward until he reached his goal.
Possible theme: Always chase your dreams
What is the main claim of the below passage?
The night sky is beautiful. Lying awake at night and viewing the heavens—stars, planets, meteors, satellites, and the Moon—can help give you perspective about Earth’s place in our solar system. Stargazing can inspire you to learn more about celestial bodies, too. I enjoy learning the names of different constellations. I think it is fun to be outside at night and enjoy nature and the night sky.
Stargazing is something that is worth doing.
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Quesadillas are a delicious Mexican treat. They are toasted tortillas filled with melted cheese and any other fillings you like. Here's how to make a quesadilla: 1) Heat some oil or butter in a skillet. 2) Put in a flour tortilla and flip a few times until you see bubbles. 3) Add shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, or other fillings, and cook until the cheese melts. 4) Fold the tortilla in half; serve with shredded lettuce, salsa, and guacamole.
To inform how to make a quesadilla
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Getting too little sleep can lead to grumpiness, difficulty concentrating, and health problems.
Cause and effect
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She sat on the edge of her bed, clutching the old stuffed animal, tears streaming down her face. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t forget the way things used to be.
Bleak, sad, gloomy
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When Sarah's soccer game overlapped with her little brother’s school play, she knew she had to make a choice. Without hesitation, she rushed to the play, realizing that no win on the field could ever compare to the importance of being there for her family.
Possible theme: Family always comes first
What is one supporting detail the author of the below passage gives to support their claim?
If you carry a backpack, especially a heavy one, make sure you use both shoulder straps. Wearing a heavy backpack on just one shoulder can be harmful. It can cause poor posture, which can lead to strain and pain in the shoulders, neck, and back. Wearing both shoulder straps can also help prevent discomfort caused by a single strap digging into your shoulder.
Wearing a heavy backpack can be harmful
What is the author's purpose of the below passage?
Sarita was excited to get out of the car. She had been waiting for today for weeks and it was finally here. She skipped as she went up the walkway to the house, and her mom opened the door. Suddenly, everyone shouted, “Surprise!”
To entertain with a fun story
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Wilbur and Orville Wright opened a bicycle shop in 1892, then began experimenting with gliders in 1900, and flew an airplane successfully for the first time in 1903.
Chronological sequence
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I miss the food vendors in my old neighborhood, especially the friendly old man selling elotes, or Mexican grilled corn, who always greeted me with a warm smile when I walked up to his cart.
Nostalgic, longing, sentimental
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Ben knew his best friend, Tim, was about to receive a 0 for not being prepared for class. This would have been the third day in a row that Tim got a 0, meaning that he would get a phone call home. Ben gave his pencil to Tim. Later, Ben received a 0 for not being prepared for class.
Possible theme: Sometimes we make sacrifices for those we love
Come up with a rebuttal for this counterclaim:
Even though homework takes time away from students to spend time with their family, it is necessary because doing homework provides important practice for concepts learned in school.
Possible rebuttal: While homework can allow students to practice key concepts, when students have a lot of work to complete outside of school, they come to school more tired and stressed, and not as ready to learn as they could be.
What is the author's purpose of the below passage?
Hurry! This house will not be available for long. It has four huge bedrooms, a beautiful kitchen, and an awesome playroom. The best part of this house is that there is a pool in the backyard. Did I mention that the backyard is massive, too? Hurry! Buy it before someone else does!
To persuade to buy the house
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If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try avoiding technology like TVs, tablets, and video games an hour before your bedtime; this might help you fall asleep more easily.
Problem and solution
How does the tone of the below passage change from beginning to end?
School uniforms are such a great idea! How about making adults wear uniforms too? Won’t bank managers and teachers and lawyers also save time and money by wearing the same boring clothes every day?
The tone seems enthusiastic at first, but is sarcastic at the end.
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Kim had gone through her closet with her mom over the weekend. She remembered a new girl at school who always seemed to wear the same pants over and over. Kim wondered what she could do with those clothes. She handed the new girl a bag as she passed her in the hallway.
Possible theme: It is better to give than to receive
Come up with a counterclaim for the below claim:
Too many teenagers are being harmed by abusive social media posts from classmates. Schools should be allowed to punish students for such behavior.
Possible answer: Schools should not be allowed to have authority over students' personal communication.