Author's Purpose

Focused Learning Target

I can understand author’s purpose and explain and describe the author’s purpose of a text by creating a blog

Standards

Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. RI.8.6

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. RI.8.1

Introduction

We’ve already done our first read of the excerpt of Violence in Movies. During our first read we noticed that the author is comparing movies in the past with those of today. As we read, we ask ourselves, "What is this article going to be about?" Reading on, we want to know, "Why is this a cause for concern?" The reading cites statistics about children's exposure to violence in movies and television and we wonder, "Why is this important?" In order to answer our questions, we must dive into a new skill: Author’s Purpose.

An author's purpose for writing an informational text might be to inform, persuade, or entertain. Many times an author writes for a combination of reasons. There are times when discovering an author's purpose for writing is simple. You pick up a magazine and find an article with the title “How to Use Your iPhone.” You can tell from the title alone that the writer wants to show you some easy ways to navigate your iPhone. The author promotes this idea with facts and details that help you know that the purpose of the article is to inform readers on how to use a smart phone.

There are times when discovering an author's purpose for writing is difficult. It involves reading closely and paying attention to the information an author presents on a topic. Let’s see how we can understand an author’s point of view by watching the following video:

Now that you’ve gotten an idea on the different reasons why authors write, let’s take a look at the following slides and take notes. Click on the PowerPoint presentation below. After you’ve opened it, click on the doc link to take notes from the slides.

PowerPoint

Google Doc

Once you click on the link, click on file > make a copy > OK. If you’d rather save the file on your computer click on file > download as > select appropriate program (for Microsoft Word click on “Microsoft Word (.docx).”

Task

After studying different lessons and viewing videos on author’s purpose, your task will be to create a blog post about Author’s Purpose for the article Violence in the Movies.  You will need to answer the following on your blog:

1. What is the author’s purpose in writing the informational text Violence in Movies?
2. How do you know this? Cite specific information that helped you come up with this conclusion.
3. Why does the author’s purpose matter in this piece?
4. Any other reasons that support your answer?

Each student will post a link to their blog.  Authors will email their responses to the questions to the teacher.  Then, classmates can read your responses and give feedback about the ideas behind the author’s purpose.

 Lesson Resources

Types of Texts

PowerPoint on Author’s Purpose

Examples of Author’s Purpose

Author’s Purpose Video 1

Author’s Purpose Video 2

Author’s Purpose Worksheet

Author’s Purpose Worksheet 2

 

 Lesson Process

 

1. Review the video in the Introduction section above
2. Take notes on Author’s Purpose using the Google Slides and Doc provided in the Introduction section above
3. Review the Lesson Resources to gain more insight on author’s purpose
4. Take the Quiz on author’s purpose by clicking here
5. If you didn’t do well, review the material again and email me to give you access to the quiz again. Before you gain access, I will ask some clarifying questions to determine if you’re ready to take the quiz again.
6. Once you’ve taken the quiz, open your workbook to page 28 and re-read the article Violence in the Movies with the lens: Author’s Purpose.
7. Make annotations as you read that will help you answer the questions:
   1. What is the author’s purpose in writing the informational text Violence in the Movies?
   2. How do you know this? Cite specific information that helped you come up with this conclusion.
   3. Why does the author’s purpose matter in this piece?
   4. Any other reasons that support your answer?
8. Once you’ve read and made your annotations go to students.weebly.com and log in using your username and password. Click here for a sample student submission (note: sample is from a different article).
9. When you’re finished with your blog email me your link for review.

Grading Rubric

Your responses on your blog will be graded on the following standards: RL8.1 and RL 8.6. Click the link to see rubric.

Extension

Critical Thinking: Now that you know the point of view of Violence in the Movies, let’s start seeing how that point of view affects our thoughts by answering the following questions:

1. Do you think that violence in the movies can cause people to act aggressively?
2. Do you think filmmakers can create entertaining movies without including violence?
3. Who do you think is responsible for protecting children against media violence?

 

Analyze a Quote: "I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent." (Mahatma Gandhi)

1. What do you think Gandhi means by violence doing "temporary" good?
2. Do you agree with this quote? Why or why not?
3. Do you think violence can be used for good?