Post on 01-Apr-2015
Three Reasons for Writing
Write 3 sentences…
• To give me information about making a pie. I’ve never made anything in the kitchen, so I’ll need detailed instructions.
Write 3 sentences…
• To argue that blueberry pie is the best pie in the world. Try to convince me that it beats all other types of pie.
Write 3 sentences…
• To tell a story about a person named Pat. This person can be a man or a woman. The story must involve pie.
Writing to Inform
Informative writing shows or explains facts.
Examples:
• Biography of Barack Obama
• News report about a shooting
• Note to a friend
• Essay about “killer bees”
• Speed Limit rules clip
Writing to PersuadePersuasive writing tries to influence or convince the reader, so it usually makes an argument.
Examples:
•Political speeches
•Advertisements
•An essay urging readers to recycle
•Car commercial
Writing to Entertain
Writing for entertainment means there is a story or a poem involved.
Examples:
•Harry Potter books
•Poems about love
•Narrative essay about the big game
•Script for a TV show
•Finding Nemo Clip
Is it a story, poem, or drama (script)?
Entertain
Yes No
Does the text make arguments?
InformPersuade
Yes No
Does the text give facts?
Yes No StartOver
Review
• Informative writing provides facts and general information about a topic.
• Persuasive writing expresses an opinion or argument (may use facts to support).
• Writing for entertainment means there must be a story or a poem involved.
Practice
1. I will describe a piece of writing. Think
about each author’s purpose.
2. You will write the author’s purpose on
your white board: to inform, persuade,
or entertain.
1
The story of a teenage boy learning to understand and live with his father, who is a Vietnam war veteran.
2
A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world.
3
An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.
4
An “X-men” comic book.
5
The story about a young woman with low self-esteem learning to accept herself.
6
A National Geographic article about the eating and breeding habits of the endangered bald eagle.
7
A website saying that a new shopping mall should not be built because it threatens an endangered bald eagle’s home. The website also lists other reasons why the mall should not be built.
8
A poem about bald eagles.
9
A magazine ad telling you to buy Nike Hyperdunk shoes because you’ll jump higher.
10
A sign saying, “Rest Stop Five Miles Ahead.”
Answers1. Entertain2. Inform3. Persuade4. Entertain5. Entertain6. Inform7. Persuade8. Entertain9. Persuade10. Inform
Partner Practice
• Sort each of these forms of writing into the correct column.
Why does this lesson matter?
– As an audience member, it is useful to understand the intentions and motives behind the message.
– What made him/her write this thing?
– If it was to inform, you can take the facts and use them however you want.
– If it was to persuade, you should look carefully at the material before making a decision based on it.
– If it was to entertain, you can enjoy or dismiss it.
Author’s PurposePractice Exercises