Author's purpose and viewpoint

Identifying why an author wrote a text: to Persuade, Inform or Entertain (PIE)

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
PIE stands for the three main purposes of writing. What do the letters represent? A) Persuade, Inform, Entertain B) Plan, Imagine, Edit C) Plot, Idea, Ending D) Punctuate, Improve, Explain
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2
What is the likely purpose of a newspaper article reporting on a recent flood? A) Inform - to give facts about what happened B) Entertain - to make readers laugh C) Persuade - to convince readers of an opinion D) Confuse - to mislead readers
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3
True or false: A persuasive text often uses emotive language and rhetorical questions. A persuasive text often uses emotive language and rhetorical questions. A) True B) False
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4
What is the likely purpose of a funny story about a dog who learns to skateboard? A) Entertain B) Inform C) Persuade D) Instruct
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5
Which feature suggests a text is INFORMATIVE rather than persuasive? A) Headings, subheadings and facts B) Emotive language and rhetorical questions C) Jokes and funny dialogue D) Dramatic exclamations
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6
True or false: An entertaining text usually uses vivid descriptions and dialogue. An entertaining text usually uses vivid descriptions and dialogue. A) True B) False
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7
What is the likely purpose of an advert telling you 'Buy our trainers - everyone is wearing them!'? A) Persuade B) Inform C) Entertain D) Apologise
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8
What is the author's likely viewpoint in this sentence? 'It is shocking that schools serve such unhealthy meals - this must stop now!' A) Strongly opposed to current school meals B) Pleased with current school meals C) Indifferent to school meals D) Unsure about school meals
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9
True or false: Recognising the author's purpose helps us read more critically. Recognising the author's purpose helps us read more critically. A) True B) False
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10
An author writes 'Don't miss this amazing offer!' What is the purpose? A) instruct B) persuade C) entertain D) inform
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Answer key

Author's purpose and viewpoint · for parents and teachers

1
Persuade, Inform, Entertain
PIE = Persuade (convince), Inform (give facts) and Entertain (amuse/tell stories). These are the three main author's purposes.
2
Inform - to give facts about what happened
News reports inform - they share facts about what happened, when, where and why.
3
True
True. Persuasive texts use emotive language and rhetorical questions to influence the reader.
4
Entertain
Funny stories are written to entertain - to amuse the reader.
5
Headings, subheadings and facts
Informative texts often use headings, subheadings and facts. Persuasive writing uses emotive language.
6
True
True. Entertaining texts use vivid descriptions, dialogue and imagery to engage the reader.
7
Persuade
Adverts persuade you to do or buy something, often using emotive or peer-pressure language.
8
Strongly opposed to current school meals
The strong words 'shocking' and 'must stop now' show the author is strongly opposed to current school meals.
9
True
True. Knowing the author's purpose helps us decide how much to trust the text and to recognise bias.
10
persuade
'Don't miss this amazing offer!' is persuasive language.