ShmoopTube

00:04

[Coop and Dino singing]

00:13

Authors can write for lots of reasons… [JK Rowling typing on a iMac]

00:15

...boredom, insanity…in hopes of somehow getting paid for their work…

00:19

…but usually an author’s purpose can be narrowed down to three things. [Coop discussing author's purpose]

00:22

To inform us.

00:24

To entertain us.

00:25

Or to persuade us.

00:26

We can rely on clues within a text to get an idea about which one a particular author [Girl reading Harry Potter book]

00:30

is going for.

00:31

Let’s see what clues should tip us off when the author’s intent is to inform.

00:35

First, think about the things you’ve read that give you information or teach you about [Man holding magnifying glass]

00:38

something. This might include textbooks, newspapers, dictionaries, even a website.

00:43

Now think about what these texts have in common.

00:45

Well, for starters, they’re all non-fiction. [Dino discussing non-fiction]

00:48

Because non-fiction texts present documented facts, they often have citations, like footnotes

00:53

or a Works Cited page.

00:54

If they don’t, you may want to question the source. Especially if the text was handed

00:58

to you from the back of an unmarked white van. [Woman holding newspaper]

01:02

Included with a text, you might also find informative graphics, charts, or glossaries.

01:06

Now think of things you’ve read that are entertaining.

01:08

This might include novels, comic books, poetry…basically anything you read for your own enjoyment.

01:14

Preferably material you don’t have to hide under your pillow. [Boy hides book under pillow]

01:17

These texts can also clue us in to their author’s purpose.

01:21

First, think about whether the text has a plot. You know…like almost every story you’ve

01:26

ever read. Your math textbook? Not so much.

01:29

Not all texts that are meant to entertain have characters, but many do. Characters are [Harry Potter and Professor Snape on a book]

01:32

a great way to engage and entertain a reader. Plus, it’s always nice to have some folks

01:36

you can kill off at the end of your novel…

01:39

Texts meant to entertain almost always use interesting language, with sentences that [Coop discussing entertaining texts]

01:43

are constructed in creative ways…which can also be a clue.

01:46

The last tip-off that a text is meant to entertain is the use of humor.

01:49

If a text makes you laugh, it’s probably doing so on purpose. If not, our condolences [Girl laughs while reading]

01:54

to the author.

01:55

The third category, texts that persuade, are those that try to influence your opinion.

02:00

In the same way that, in real life, you might try to convince someone to do something... [Girl asks boy to clean the room]

02:04

… or believe something.

02:05

What’s tricky about texts that persuade…

02:07

… is that they’re often also entertaining…

02:10

… and can include information and facts.

02:12

So one key thing to look for in texts that are trying to persuade is whether or not the [Woman with lots of cats]

02:15

author seems to have some sort of opinion.

02:17

Does the author seem to pushing an agenda?

02:20

An author can sometimes be sneaky, too. She may try to convince you that her opinion is

02:25

actually right

02:25

Shady, huh?

02:26

So, remember to look for clues that might tell you about an author’s purpose.

02:30

Because no one writes a book by accident.

02:32

Not unless they’re taking some serious medication. [Man in hospital bed writing a book]

Full Transcript