English SBAC: Author's Purpose

Last updated about 3 years ago

10 questions

Instructions

1

An author's purpose is the author's reason for or intent in writing. An author's purpose is typical one of the following three-- to persuade, inform, or entertain. Read each of the following passages and identify the author's main purpose.

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared without using “like” or “as.” A metaphor makes a direct comparison. In the example “Myrna is a wildcat today,” Myrna is described as difficult to get along with. Comparing her to a wildcat allows the author to illustrate her personality with voice and flair. Do not, however, confuse factual statements as metaphors. If a wildcat is named Myrna, the sentence “Myrna is a wildcat” would not be a metaphor at all.

to entertain the reader with literary elements

to give reasons why one part of speech is best

to educate the reader of a literary concept

to create an experience through narration

The election for governor has turned into a circus. Candidates are so busy trying to buy votes, they no longer care what is best for our state. It is imperative that the citizens demand our politicians be worthy leaders. On September 29, write in the name “Barbara Billups” for governor. The establishment may not have chosen to include her on the ballot, but the citizens can ensure that she is our next leader!

to present an objective discussion of politics

to narrate a story that teaches a lesson

to make a logical argument in favor of one candidate

to demonstrate what the effects of bad politics are

Lolita,
I know that three men have asked for your hand in marriage, but I am the only one who truly wants what is best for you. I have loved you for two years, well before you won the lottery. The other suitors did not know you before you became America’s wealthiest woman...

to give chronological instructions for following a procedure.

to relate a story from which the reader can gain some insight.

to create a memorable experience

to present a logical argument with supporting reasons

Pinky continued her lecture. “This sandwich is called a gyro- spelled g-y-r-o. There are a lot of words you will use in the kitchen that don’t quite spell the way they sound. Think of: sherbet, chipotle, or spigot. Perhaps it is because the language of the kitchen borrows from a variety of languages.” Pinky looked off in the distance, contemplating the language of food, which seemed to stir a deep happiness within her.

to create a description of an item using sensory details

to demonstrate the causes of incorrect spelling

to present an objective discussion of food

to narrate a story by describing a scene

Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir is the most effective remedy available to the public. Made of a complex mixture of oak bark and vitamin O, Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir is guaranteed to grow back your tresses in as little as two days. Simply drink one liter every night. Within a week, you will see new hair growth. It will look completely natural. Have a full head of luxurious tresses, like you’ve always wanted. Purchase Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir at a super-market near you.

to persuade the reader to purchase an item

to relate a story from which the reader can gain some insight

to give chronological instructions for following a procedure

to create a description of a scene

The Cassowary is just a bird, some may think. To the casual observer, some of its traits are indeed unremarkable. For example, cassowaries distribute seeds across the jungle floor. Also, the female lays three to eight eggs. And yet, Cassowaries are also deadly. Watch a Cassowary swallow a banana whole and you will glimpse its voracious appetite. But, most frightening is the Cassowary’s talons. Resembling a pterodactyl’s talon, a Cassowary can rip through a car door with one swipe.

to make a logical argument in favor of animal conservation

to inform the reader using facts

to create an experience accessible through sensory images

to narrate an incident using humor

The long, white halls of the Children’s Hospital were very similar to the ones in South Carolina. Back when I was diagnosed, the bland walls seemed sterile and sad. I turned into Deena’s room and was surprised to see enormous flowers painted in bright reds, blues and yellows on her walls. A brand new TV connected to a DVD player- and loaded down with games was in the corner. I looked around. Deena was sitting on the edge of her bed, red eyed from crying. She was a small girl of nine, with curly red hair pulled back in a scrunchie. She wore a hospital gown and had an IV hooked up to the crook in her arm.

to give directions for following a map

to narrate a story that teaches a lesson

to give reasons and supporting evidence for a position

to create a description of a scene by using sensory details

To make a grilled cheese sandwich, take two pieces of white bread. On each slice, spread one teaspoon of butter. Place the first slice, butter down, on a heated griddle. Place an unwrapped piece of American cheese on top. Place the second slice of bread, butter up, on top of the cheese.
After three minutes, use a turner to flip the sandwich. Cook for three additional minutes. Use the turner to remove the sandwich from the griddle. Place the sandwich on a small plate. Cut diagonally into equal halves. Serve.

to give reasons and supporting evidence for a position

to give instructions for following a procedure

to make a logical argument in favor of healthy eating

to present an objective discussion of nutrition

But the diabetes part was bad, too. Not for what you’d think, though. People thought that getting shots and sticking my finger multiple times a day was the horrible part. Well, okay, that was. But even worse than that, was that no one really understands diabetes. Some people think I did something stupid, so I deserve diabetes. (Actually, I just felt sick one day, went to the doctor and came out as a diabetic.) Some people think I am contagious. (The only thing you can get from me is a look of pity and a large dose of sarcasm). Some people think I shouldn’t whine about diabetes. (I really try not to.) Others can’t understand why I don’t whine about it. (Many times I’d actually really like to.) Regardless, I can never win.

to present an objective discussion of diabetes

to describe a character’s dilemma

to narrate a story that uses dialogue to explain a situation

to persuade the reader to treat others with respect

Pinky went to the refrigerator and pulled out two slim deli packets. “Today we are making sandwiches. Most people think sandwiches are simple. But there are rules. Let’s first start with the filling.” Pinky held up one package. “This is Havarti and this...” she tapped a perfectly manicured hand on the second packet... “this is Provolone.” She opened the flimsy packaging and with a three-tined fork, peeled off a thin slice of white and then golden cheese and placed the slices on our plates. “Try them,” she coaxed.

to create an experience for the reader through abstract details

to demonstrate what the causes and effects of fine dining are

to narrate an incident using humor 

to narrate a story using sensory images

A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two unlike things are compared without using “like” or “as.” A metaphor makes a direct comparison. In the example “Myrna is a wildcat today,” Myrna is described as difficult to get along with. Comparing her to a wildcat allows the author to illustrate her personality with voice and flair. Do not, however, confuse factual statements as metaphors. If a wildcat is named Myrna, the sentence “Myrna is a wildcat” would not be a metaphor at all.

to entertain the reader with literary elements

to give reasons why one part of speech is best

to educate the reader of a literary concept

to create an experience through narration

The election for governor has turned into a circus. Candidates are so busy trying to buy votes, they no longer care what is best for our state. It is imperative that the citizens demand our politicians be worthy leaders. On September 29, write in the name “Barbara Billups” for governor. The establishment may not have chosen to include her on the ballot, but the citizens can ensure that she is our next leader!

to present an objective discussion of politics

to narrate a story that teaches a lesson

to make a logical argument in favor of one candidate

to demonstrate what the effects of bad politics are

Lolita,
I know that three men have asked for your hand in marriage, but I am the only one who truly wants what is best for you. I have loved you for two years, well before you won the lottery. The other suitors did not know you before you became America’s wealthiest woman...

to give chronological instructions for following a procedure.

to relate a story from which the reader can gain some insight.

to create a memorable experience

to present a logical argument with supporting reasons

Pinky continued her lecture. “This sandwich is called a gyro- spelled g-y-r-o. There are a lot of words you will use in the kitchen that don’t quite spell the way they sound. Think of: sherbet, chipotle, or spigot. Perhaps it is because the language of the kitchen borrows from a variety of languages.” Pinky looked off in the distance, contemplating the language of food, which seemed to stir a deep happiness within her.

to create a description of an item using sensory details

to demonstrate the causes of incorrect spelling

to present an objective discussion of food

to narrate a story by describing a scene

Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir is the most effective remedy available to the public. Made of a complex mixture of oak bark and vitamin O, Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir is guaranteed to grow back your tresses in as little as two days. Simply drink one liter every night. Within a week, you will see new hair growth. It will look completely natural. Have a full head of luxurious tresses, like you’ve always wanted. Purchase Eliza's Extreme Hair Elixir at a super-market near you.

to persuade the reader to purchase an item

to relate a story from which the reader can gain some insight

to give chronological instructions for following a procedure

to create a description of a scene

The Cassowary is just a bird, some may think. To the casual observer, some of its traits are indeed unremarkable. For example, cassowaries distribute seeds across the jungle floor. Also, the female lays three to eight eggs. And yet, Cassowaries are also deadly. Watch a Cassowary swallow a banana whole and you will glimpse its voracious appetite. But, most frightening is the Cassowary’s talons. Resembling a pterodactyl’s talon, a Cassowary can rip through a car door with one swipe.

to make a logical argument in favor of animal conservation

to inform the reader using facts

to create an experience accessible through sensory images

to narrate an incident using humor

The long, white halls of the Children’s Hospital were very similar to the ones in South Carolina. Back when I was diagnosed, the bland walls seemed sterile and sad. I turned into Deena’s room and was surprised to see enormous flowers painted in bright reds, blues and yellows on her walls. A brand new TV connected to a DVD player- and loaded down with games was in the corner. I looked around. Deena was sitting on the edge of her bed, red eyed from crying. She was a small girl of nine, with curly red hair pulled back in a scrunchie. She wore a hospital gown and had an IV hooked up to the crook in her arm.

to give directions for following a map

to narrate a story that teaches a lesson

to give reasons and supporting evidence for a position

to create a description of a scene by using sensory details

To make a grilled cheese sandwich, take two pieces of white bread. On each slice, spread one teaspoon of butter. Place the first slice, butter down, on a heated griddle. Place an unwrapped piece of American cheese on top. Place the second slice of bread, butter up, on top of the cheese.
After three minutes, use a turner to flip the sandwich. Cook for three additional minutes. Use the turner to remove the sandwich from the griddle. Place the sandwich on a small plate. Cut diagonally into equal halves. Serve.

to give reasons and supporting evidence for a position

to give instructions for following a procedure

to make a logical argument in favor of healthy eating

to present an objective discussion of nutrition

But the diabetes part was bad, too. Not for what you’d think, though. People thought that getting shots and sticking my finger multiple times a day was the horrible part. Well, okay, that was. But even worse than that, was that no one really understands diabetes. Some people think I did something stupid, so I deserve diabetes. (Actually, I just felt sick one day, went to the doctor and came out as a diabetic.) Some people think I am contagious. (The only thing you can get from me is a look of pity and a large dose of sarcasm). Some people think I shouldn’t whine about diabetes. (I really try not to.) Others can’t understand why I don’t whine about it. (Many times I’d actually really like to.) Regardless, I can never win.

to present an objective discussion of diabetes

to describe a character’s dilemma

to narrate a story that uses dialogue to explain a situation

to persuade the reader to treat others with respect

Pinky went to the refrigerator and pulled out two slim deli packets. “Today we are making sandwiches. Most people think sandwiches are simple. But there are rules. Let’s first start with the filling.” Pinky held up one package. “This is Havarti and this...” she tapped a perfectly manicured hand on the second packet... “this is Provolone.” She opened the flimsy packaging and with a three-tined fork, peeled off a thin slice of white and then golden cheese and placed the slices on our plates. “Try them,” she coaxed.

to create an experience for the reader through abstract details

to demonstrate what the causes and effects of fine dining are

to narrate an incident using humor 

to narrate a story using sensory images

English SBAC: Author's Purpose

English SBAC: Author's Purpose

Lolita,I know that three men have asked for your hand in marriage, but I am the only one who truly wants what is best for you. I have loved you for two years, well before you won the lottery. The other suitors did not know you before you became America’s wealthiest woman...

Lolita,
I know that three men have asked for your hand in marriage, but I am the only one who truly wants what is best for you. I have loved you for two years, well before you won the lottery. The other suitors did not know you before you became America’s wealthiest woman...