Hi there! I am Studyfin, and today we are going to learn how to find the hidden goals behind everything we read.
Every time an author writes a text, they have a specific goal in mind. This goal is called the author's purpose, which is the main reason why they wrote the passage.
To find the purpose, we can use the acronym PIE. Authors write to Persuade us, Inform us, or Entertain us.
Along with their purpose, authors also pack a central message into their writing. The message is the big idea, lesson, or takeaway that they want you to remember.
✏️ Worked example
Read this short text: 'Plastic bags are choking our oceans and harming sea turtles. We must switch to reusable bags today to save marine life.' Let's analyze the author's purpose and message.
Look for clues in the text. The author uses strong words like 'choking', 'harming', and 'must switch'.
Identify the main goal. The author is not just sharing facts; they are urging us to take action. This means the author's purpose is to PERSUADE.
Find the central message. Ask yourself: What is the main takeaway? The message is that we need to stop using plastic bags to protect ocean animals.
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