Author's Purpose

Summary

In this educational video, Mrs. Kane teaches viewers how to discern an author's purpose and attitude in writing. She explains the importance of looking beyond the surface to uncover hidden meanings, using the PIE method to identify if the author aims to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain. Through analyzing word choice and considering the author's life context, readers can deduce the author's intent. The video uses ecotourism as an example to demonstrate how to determine if the writing is meant to inform or persuade and assesses the author's positive stance on the topic.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Determine the author's purpose by analyzing their writing and looking for clues in the text.
• 🕵️‍♀️ Consider the author's life and experiences to understand their perspective on the topic.
• 🍰 Use the PIE method to categorize the author's purpose: Persuade, Inform, or Entertain.
• 📚 The author's purpose is typically singular, not a combination of multiple PIE categories.
• 🚫 Eliminate options based on the text's features, such as the absence of dialogue or figurative language for entertainment.
• 💡 Look for imperative phrases like 'we should' or 'we must' to identify a persuasive purpose.
• 🤔 Assess the author's attitude by examining if they present all sides of an argument or lean towards a specific viewpoint.
• 📈 Check for balance and fairness in the presentation of facts and arguments.
• 🧐 The reader must be a detective, scrutinizing the text for the author's attitude through their word choices and emotional cues.
• 🌟 An appreciative and positive attitude towards ecotourism is evident in the example provided.
• 📖 Understanding both the PIE category and the author's attitude helps in fully comprehending the text.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Mrs. Kane's lesson?

The main focus of Mrs. Kane's lesson is to teach how to identify an author's purpose when reading a text.

Why is it important to understand an author's purpose?

Understanding an author's purpose is important because it helps readers comprehend the intent behind the writing and the author's attitude towards the topic.

What does Mrs. Kane suggest readers do to uncover an author's purpose?

Mrs. Kane suggests that readers act like detectives, looking for clues in the author's choice of words and considering the author's life and experiences.

What is the PIE method mentioned in the transcript?

The PIE method is a strategy to determine an author's purpose by considering whether the text is meant to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain.

How does the transcript define ecotourism?

Ecotourism is defined in the transcript as tourism that takes responsibility for the protection of cultural traditions and the environment.

What are the responsibilities of an ecotourist according to the example given?

An ecotourist should be aware of their impact on visited places, use resources wisely, and respect and support the cultural traditions of the places they visit.

How does Mrs. Kane determine that the author's purpose is not to entertain?

Mrs. Kane determines that the author's purpose is not to entertain by noting the absence of dialogue and figurative language, which are typically found in entertaining texts.

What clues indicate that the author's purpose is to persuade rather than just inform?

The use of imperative phrases like 'we should be', 'we must be', and 'we must' suggest that the author's purpose is to persuade, as these imply a call to action.

What does Mrs. Kane advise to understand the author's attitude towards the topic?

Mrs. Kane advises readers to consider whether the author presents all sides of an argument, the balance of viewpoints, the presence of facts, trustworthiness, and the display of emotions through adjectives.

How does the author of the ecotourism example feel about the topic?

The author of the ecotourism example feels positively about ecotourism, as indicated by phrases suggesting appreciation and support for the practice.

What is the final step Mrs. Kane suggests after determining the author's purpose and attitude?

The final step is to have a full picture of the passage by understanding both the author's purpose (the piece of pie) and their attitude towards the topic.