Name: ______________________________
Author’s Purpose Practice

Directions: read the description, determine the author’s purpose, and then explain your answer.

1.  The first issue of Wolverine, published by Marvel in 1982

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

2.  A pamphlet explaining how an unborn child may be affected when a pregnant mother smokes

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

3. A novel about a young girl who learns a lesson about bullying other students on the internet

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

4.  The terms of use for Facebook, a social networking site

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

5.  A speech written by a famous basketball player urging young people to stay in school

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

6.  Directions to the mall written by a friend or relative

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

7.  The ingredients listed on the side of a candy bar wrapper

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

8.  The lyrics to Michael Jackson’s song, “Billy Jean”

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

9.  A letter to a teen girl from her imprisoned father giving reasons why she should go to college

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

10.  The documentation and instructions for a new touch-screen tablet PC

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

11.  A bumper sticker warning people to “Click it or Ticket,” in reference to wearing a seatbelt

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
 (to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

12. The story of a teacher who helps some of her troubled students get to college

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.

13. A brochure for custom glass windows with product descriptions, sample images, & coupons

Author’s Purpose: _____________________________________________________________
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
How do you know?  Write a sentence explaining your answer.