--- title: "Why the author wrote it" description: "Distinguish one's own point of view from that of the author of an informational text and identify the author's purpose" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/why-the-author-wrote-it-mt_OltpfaX7l6 source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/why-the-author-wrote-it-mt_OltpfaX7l6.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Why the author wrote it Distinguish one's own point of view from that of the author of an informational text and identify the author's purpose Subject: English · Area: Reading Comprehension · Ages 8 to 9 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/why-the-author-wrote-it-mt_OltpfaX7l6 ## Ready when they can - Read an opinion article and state the author's point of view, then state one's own and explain how they differ - Identify whether an author's purpose is to inform, persuade, or entertain, citing evidence from the text - Explain how word choices in an informational text reveal the author's attitude toward the topic ## Lesson: Why the author wrote it An author's purpose is the reason for writing. To inform means to teach facts, explain something or give instructions. To persuade means to win support for an idea or action. To entertain means to give enjoyment or capture your imagination. A funny story can entertain, but so can a tense adventure. *(drawing: The boxes name different writing jobs, not steps in an order.)* **Example.** Ms. Lee writes "Save Our Park." She wants trees and a playground right away. She writes, "The empty lot is shameful. We should build a playground." "Shameful" shows disapproval, and "should" asks for change. "Must" can also urge action. Persuasion can use calm reasons and facts too. Strong feeling words are not required. A text can do more than one job. Read the whole text and ask what it mainly helps readers know, feel or do. Facts can support an argument, and jokes can appear in a report. Instructions can teach a task without arguing for a change. One reader's laughter does not prove that the author wrote to entertain. An author's point of view is what the author thinks about a topic. Find the view they state and the reasons they give. Your view can agree, disagree or agree with only part of theirs. Explain what you think and why. Compare views about the same proposal. Word choices can reveal attitude, or how the author feels. Calling a plan "fantastic" praises it; calling it "a disaster" criticises it. "The park is two acres" gives a checkable detail without praise. Read words in context. "Dangerous" can describe a real risk as well as show concern. **Example.** Kayla reads "Save Our Park" and says, "I agree that we need a playground. But I would fix the sidewalks first, because people need a safe route to the park." She shares the author's goal but gives a different priority and a reason. **Recap.** Find the author's purpose and point of view, notice the words that reveal it, then decide what you think. ## Practice 24 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Needs first - [Book Features and Author's Reasons](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/book-features-and-authors-reasons-mt_XeMZdf2Y9W) ## Opens up - [Identifying Reasons Behind a Speaker's Points](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/identifying-reasons-behind-a-speakers-points-mt_iodbOOmEQs) - [Firsthand and Secondhand Accounts](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/firsthand-and-secondhand-accounts-mt_j32D5DZX7x) - [How authors support their points](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/how-authors-support-their-points-mt_k-V37x3zsF) - [Fact vs opinion](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/fact-vs-opinion-mt_V6456X6pJE)