Author’s purpose – the author’s reason for creating a particular work The purpose may be to explain, to inform, to entertain, to express an opinion, to reflect, or to persuade readers to believe or do something.
Determining author’s purpose:
Sometimes the author’s purpose is directly stated.
Often, however, the reader must infer the author’s purpose from the author’s statements, words, details, and descriptions or from the themes of the work.
Make a two-column chart.
Notice which parts of the topic Quindlen focuses on.
Write down the author’s direct statements about the way she thinks or feels about the topic.
Note words and details she uses to describe the topic.
