Main Idea and Details

Launch ActivitiesAuthors Purpose and Point of ViewHaines City High SchoolCreator: Charles Wynne

1Author's Purpose andPoint of ViewThe way a writer feels about a subject will influence how and what he/she writes about that subject. Today, we will be debating various topics. Imagine if we were to compose essays on each controversial issue discussed (we wont dont worry). Based on their responses during our mini-debates, think about how your classmates writing purpose and point of view would influence their writing.2RULES OF THE GAME:If you agree with the statement, move to the side of the room labeled Agree. If you disagree, move to the side of the room labeled, Disagree. If you just dont know how you feel about the subject, move to the side of the room labeled, Undecided. Be prepared to defend your position even if youre in the undecided area. You may disagree with others opinions, but do so RESPECTFULLY.3Stricter laws should be in place to make sure illegal immigrants cannot cross American borders.4Men should make more money than women doing the same job.5Schools should not be allowed to censor books.6Elderly people should not be allowed to have drivers licenses after age 70.7AcquisitionAuthors Purpose and Point of ViewHaines City High SchoolCreator: Charles Wynne

8

9Vocabulary you need to knowP.I.E.

Persuade purpose of the writing is to get your reader to agree with your position or opinion on the topic.Inform purpose of the writing is to give your reader needed information or to explain a concept to them they may not understand.Entertain purpose of the writing is to make your reader laugh, cry, or feel some emotion that is not directly linked to learning or persuasion.

10Persuasion Signal WordsAlthoughConverselyIn additionAdditionallyAgreeDisagreeContentionFurthermoreEquallyBesidesAgainMoreoverSupportOn the other hand

Persuasive language clues us into which position the author is taking on a topic (in support or against)11Information signal wordsIllustration Words signal that examples or illustration will follow to clarify, define, explain, or develop and idea or a generalization.

that is (to say)such asfor instanceas, as whenthe followingto illustratefor examplespecifically

12Practice and AssessmentAuthors Purpose and Point of ViewHaines City High SchoolCreator: Charles Wynne

13Circle key words that describe the authors point of viewand complete the sentences.You might think manatees are ugly, but did you knowthese mammals are some of the most gentle creatures inthe sea? Please help save them. Adopt a manatee! What is the authors point of view? 2. Why did the author write the selection? Model how to identify authors point of view and purpose: The author says manatees are gentle and asks people to savethem. That tells me the authors point of view, which is thatmanatees are worth saving. I think the author wrote this to persuade, or ask, me to helpsave manatees. The reason an author writes something is calledthe authors purpose. An authors purpose can be to persuade,inform, or entertain.14Answers1. Manatees are gentle creaturesTo persuade the reader to see Manatees differently as beautiful, gentle creatures, not as ugly creatures.

Watch the videohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/14/anti-soda-ad-most-disgust_n_391062.html

16DiscussionWhat does the commercial aim to do?What does the commercial do to convince you not to drink soda?Is the commercial effective?17AnswersThe commercial is intended to gross you out so you wont drink soda.Uses images of fat in place of soda to show its content and make the watcher disgusted.Opinion.

Read the article Robert Pattinson has revealed that a vintage car he rented in California in 2008 caught fire.

The Twilight actor told the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he refused to stop driving when a fire started in the vehicle's dashboard.

"I was driving and my dashboard went on fire. Completely on fire. And I was trying to drive it with one finger back down [highway] 101," he explained.

"The fire went out and I kind of drove it around to see it was okay, and it seemed okay. I called my dad and said, 'You think I should bring it to a mechanic? It went on fire earlier on'. And he was like, 'Generally you should, yeah'."

Pattinson added that he is not generally confident in his driving skills.

"I [got my license] in Oregon, one of those crash courses... I'm not entirely sure how to drive."

19DiscussionWhat audience is most-likely going to read this?Why did the author write this article? What is Robert Pattinsons opinion of his drivers education? How do you know this?

20AnswersTeenagers this actor is from the Twilight series.The author most likely wrote this article to entertain teens with a humorous anecdote about an experience Pattinson had that anyone could have.He doesnt think much of it. I know this because he says, I [got my license] in Oregon, one of those crash courses... I'm not entirely sure how to drive.

FIFA Player of the Year forgets to thank his feetZURICH, SWITZERLANDUpon receiving the FIFA World Player of the Year award Monday, Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo thanked his team, family, and friends before finally remembering to express gratitude to his feet of 23 years. "I can't believe I forget my feetI could never have accomplished this without them," said Ronaldo, smiling sheepishly at his feet as he addressed the crowd attending the gala ceremony. "They have worked very hard this year, and I am very proud. They are the best feet. Their presence here today makes having Pele present the award even more of an honor, as I know my feet are very excited to meet his." Ronaldo's relationship with his feet has been tumultuous lately, as the young star recently blamed their erratic pedal work for the crash of his Ferrari 599 GTB last week.-The Onion

22Answer the question below based on the article.Which of the following best expresses why the author wrotethis article?To educate his readers on why feet are so important in playing soccer.To entertain his readers by telling a humorous story about an award-winning soccer player thanking his feet in an acceptance speech.To convince readers to remember to thank their body parts for doing most of the work in sports careers.To inform his readers about Ronaldos tumultuous relationship with his feet.23AnswerAWe can tell because this story is so ridiculous there is no way it can be true. Satire is used for entertainment purposes because there is no persuasive or informative value here.MathMetrics in AmericaThe cost to the US for not being on the metric system is no doubt high. Just last year, a Martian probe was destroyed because some of its navigational data was in feet, and some was in meters. All exported goods have to be labeled in metrics or they do not sell. We are slowly getting our act together. Almost all packaged goods have both the standard and metric measures on their label. The can of Root Beer I am drinking is labeled 12 FL OZ (355 mL).

In truth, the US is using the metric system extensively, just not totally. Doctors do all measures in metrics especially distributing medicine in cubic centimeters. Virtually all scientists in the US use metric measures exclusively. Track and field events have dropped yards and miles all together. I remember when running the mile in under four minutes was a big deal, now they do not run the mile anymore it is the 1600 meter event.

All new car speedometers are in both KPH and MPH, and many recent cars have KPH as the dominant measure. Ironically, speed limit signs are almost exclusively MPH, even on highways where distances are measured in kilometers. Here in Arizona, Highway 19 from Tucson to Nogales is marked in Kilometers. I used to live along this highway, and drove 14 km to work everyday, it is not difficult to adjust if everything is marked that way, yet I was annoyed that the speed limit was posted as 65 instead of 105 KPH. There is not a single KPH sign on the entire 100km stretch of highway.25Choose the best answerWhich of the following best expresses the authors purpose of the selection, Metrics in America?A. To convince the reader that America should move toward using the same system of measurement as the rest of the world.B.To persuade the reader to use the metric system in measuring everything, even if America doesnt tend to use it.C.To inform the reader about how much America uses the metric system

26The best answer isTo convince the reader that America should move toward using the same system of measurement as the rest of the world.

WHY???

27ScienceMay12,2010By Stephen Ornes

Dreams can be familiar and strange, fantastical or boring. No one knows for certain why people dream, but some dreams might be connected to the mental processes that help us learn. In a recent study, scientists found a connection between nap-time dreams and better memory in people who were learning a new skill. So perhaps one way to learn something new is to practice, practice, practice and then sleep on it. (Warning: This research still doesnt provide an excuse for falling asleep during class.) I was startled by this finding, Robert Stickgold told Science News. He is a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who worked on the study. Neuroscience is the study of how the brain and nervous system work, and cognitive studies look at how people learn and reason. So a cognitive neuroscientist may study the brain processes that help people learn.

28Give the BEST answer for the question below.Why does the author include the phrase, So perhaps one way to learn something new is to practice, practice, practice and then sleep on it?A.To entertain the reader with a humorous anecdote.B.To inform the reader about how sleeping in class can help you learn.C.To convince the reader that sleeping actually helps you learn.D.To persuade the reader into believing sleep is unnecessary.29AnswerCWe know this because the author states earlier on that sleeping may actually help you learn.Writing Opportunity!In writing, explain the authors attitude towards learning. Use details from the article for support.31Social StudiesCalifornia Bill Would Ban Plastic Bags for ShoppingJune 4, 2010 Also on This Site Many California shoppers will no doubt move to bringing their own bags with them when they shop, in the wake of a bill passed by the California Assembly to ban pharmacies and grocery, liquor and convenience stores from giving out plastic bags. Furthermore, such stores must then charge for paper bags that they use for goods customers buy.

The goal, according to the sponsors of the bill, is to make a dent in the sheer volume of used plastic bags that blow through the air and otherwise litter the streets, land, waterways, and seafronts of the nation's most populous state.

Other countries have already adopted such bans, most notably China in 2008. Similar efforts are under way in Bangladesh, Ireland, and South Africa.

The California bill, which has the support of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, still must be passed by the state's upper house, the Senate. Given the high profile of the measure and its support by the California Grocers Association and other related groups, however, passage seems likely.

32Choose the best answerWhat does the author believe about the bill to ban plastic bags?It will passIt will be changedIt will not pass the SenateHe shows no opinion either way

Which of the following best reflects the authors intention?To inform citizens about the banning of plastic bags for shoppingTo convince citizens to rally against the billTo persuade readers to contact the Governor about the billTo educate readers about how bills pass in California33AnswersAThe author states this in the last paragraph.

AThere doesnt seem to be any personal interest in the article, just a reporting of facts.

EnglishGlobal Renaissance WomanDr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Angelou was raised in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. In Stamps, Dr. Angelou experienced the brutality of racial discrimination, but she also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family, community, and culture. As a teenager, Dr. Angelous love for the arts won her a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Franciscos Labor School. At 14, she dropped out to become San Franciscos first African-American female cable car conductor. She later finished high school, giving birth to her son, Guy, a few weeks after graduation. As a young single mother, she supported her son by working as a waitress and cook, however her passion for music, dance, performance, and poetry would soon take center stage.

35Choose the best answerWhich of the following statements best represents the authorsattitude towards Dr. Angelou?As a teenager, Dr. Angelous love for the arts won her a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Franciscos Labor SchoolHailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time.

36AnswerCReferencesHCHS IntranetHCHS Media Center linkshttp://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articleshttp://members.cox.net/mathmistakes/metrics.htmhttp://mayaangelou.com/bio/

38Extending and RefiningAuthors Purpose and Point of ViewHaines City High SchoolCreator: Charles Wynne

39Writing Opportunity!Write your own newspaper editorial for the picture below. Your newspaper editorial must have TWO purposes.One ought to be to INFORM and the other can be to entertain or to persuade.

40Definition:

An authors purpose is the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic. Once a topic is selected, the author must decide whether his purpose for writing is to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain his ideas to the reader.

Steps for Identifying Authors Purpose

4

3

2

1

Decide if the text informs, persuades, entertains, or explains the information or if it is presented from a characters point of view.

Read the passage carefully.

Consider whether or not the authors information is accurate about the topic.

Evaluate whether the author has selected the best way to present and write about his/her topic.