Determining the Author’s Purpose, Tone,

Point of View, and Intended Audience

Chapter 10

Bell Ringer #1

Turn to p.150 in your Spelling books.

Complete # 1-5, correct subject verb agreement and also proofread the passage at the bottom of the page.

Write the sentence for # 1-5.

You have 10 mins!

2

3

Freewriting: A Definition

This is informal, personal writing in which the writer begins writing and keeps writing in order to capture thoughts and generate ideas. The key is to keep the pen or pencil moving steadily over the paper without pausing. The writer should continue long enough that the obvious thoughts are recorded and the brain has to “push” for new material.

4

Freewriting Directions

Start writing and keep writingDon’t worry about conventions of spelling,

punctuation, or grammarIf you get stuck, write, “I don’t know what to

write,” or repeat or rephrase your last thought

BUT—KEEP WRITING!!!!

5

The Process1. Start writing and keep writing for 5-20 minutes

(depending on age and skill of writer).2. Read, reflect, and review what has been written.3. Write a “center of gravity” statement—a summary of

what was written and/ or an assertion that goes beyond the summary.

4. Repeat the process, using the center of gravity statement as the starting point for the next freewriting.

5. Repeat process if needed.6. Shape for an audience.

6

Freewriting Types

Unfocused Freewriting: the writer chooses the topic and is free to shift from subject to subject. Often this is used to generate ideas for a piece of writing on any topic of the writer’s choice.Focused Freewriting: the writer focuses attention on a specific subject, often in response to an assigned task. Focused Freewriting is often used in classrooms.

Bell Ringer #2- Make each sentence into a complex sentence by adding a subordinating conjunction

1.) Originally women in the United States couldn’t vote. Today they can.

2.) The teacher said we were to read a biography of a famous American woman. I chose Sally Rider, the astronaut.

3.) I thought about reading a book about Amelia Earhart. I might look for a book about Eleanor Roosevelt.

4.) Women played an important role in our country’s history. Many social studies books don’t give them much attention. 

5.) Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. Juliette G. Low founded Girl Scouts.

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education 7

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and Intended Audience 8

Author’s Purpose

An author’s purpose is simply his or her reason for writing.Common purposes include:

--to inform (to give information)

--to instruct (to explain how to do something)

--to persuade (to convince readers to do or believe

something)

--to entertain (to present humor or other enjoyable

material)

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and Intended Audience 9

Author’s Intended Meaning (Message)

The author’s intended meaning is what the author wants readers to understand, even if the words appear to be saying something different.A sarcastic tone, for example, can change the meaning completely.Ask yourself, “What is the author’s real meaning?”

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and Intended Audience 10

Author’s Intended Audience

Intended audience means the people the writer has in mind as the readers.

The intended audience will be

--a specific person (e.g., a newspaper editor)

--a group of people (e.g., college students, parents)

--the general public (e.g., the public at large; the

“typical” American adult)

Free write

Write for 5 minutes Without stopping!!!

Think about an imaginary story that you have read or heard about and Write the first thoughts that come to mind.

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher EducationChapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and

Intended Audience 11

In-class Assignment

1. Write a short imaginative story.

2. You have about 10-15 minutes.

3.) Make sure you have a clear message, intended audience, and purpose.

4.) You will switch with a partner, and they will determine your audience, message, and purpose.

© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher EducationChapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and

Intended Audience 12