Author's
Purpose
Learn to identify why an author writes a passage: to persuade, inform, or entertain: and master the skill for the ISEE Reading Comprehension section.
What Is Author's Purpose?
Every time a writer sits down to create a passage, they have a reason for writing. That reason is called the author's purpose. It shapes everything: the words they choose, the structure they use, and the details they include.
The Three Core Purposes
Why It Matters on the ISEE
The ISEE Reading Comprehension section frequently asks questions like: "The author's primary purpose in this passage is to..." or "The author most likely wrote this passage in order to..."
The P.I.E. Framework
Signal Words for Each Purpose
| Clue Type | Persuade | Inform | Entertain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Words | should, must, best, worst | according to, studies show | once upon, suddenly, laughed |
| Tone | Urgent, passionate | Neutral, objective | Playful, dramatic |
| Details | Reasons, evidence for a side | Facts, statistics, dates | Characters, dialogue, plot |
| Structure | Argument + call to action | Topic sentences + support | Beginning, middle, end |
Persuade vs. Inform
This is the trickiest distinction on the ISEE. Both purposes can include facts. The difference is how the author uses those facts.
How to Identify the Purpose
Example 1: Informational Passage
Example 2: Persuasive Passage
Example 3: Entertaining Passage
Beyond P.I.E.: Nuanced Purposes
Some ISEE passages blend purposes or use more specific language in the answer choices. Watch for these sub-purposes:
Decision Flowchart
Common Mistakes
Summary Comparison
| Feature | Persuade | Inform | Entertain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Change your mind | Teach you facts | Engage your imagination |
| Tone | Passionate, urgent | Neutral, objective | Playful, dramatic |
| Uses Facts? | Yes, to support a side | Yes, presented neutrally | Sometimes, in a story |
| Contains Opinions? | Yes, always | No | Sometimes (character's) |
| Example Genres | Editorials, speeches | Textbooks, articles | Novels, poems, jokes |
Question 1 of 5
"The monarch butterfly travels up to 3,000 miles during its annual migration from Canada to central Mexico. Scientists have tracked these journeys using tiny electronic tags. The butterflies navigate using the position of the sun and Earth's magnetic field."
The author's primary purpose in this passage is to:
Question 2 of 5
"Every student in this school should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Studies prove that music education improves math skills and emotional development. Our school board must invest in a music program before it's too late."
Which word from the passage is the strongest clue to the author's purpose?
Question 3 of 5
"Liam hadn't believed in ghosts until the night the library books started flying off the shelves. He ducked behind the reference desk, his flashlight flickering, and whispered, 'If you're trying to return a book, the drop box is outside.'"
The author most likely wrote this passage in order to:
Question 4 of 5
"The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles and was built over many centuries by several dynasties. Its primary function was military defense, though it also served as a trade route checkpoint. Parts of the wall date back to the 7th century BC."
A student says the author's purpose is to persuade readers to visit the Great Wall. Why is this answer incorrect?
Question 5 of 5
"Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a television for three hours. Americans throw away enough aluminum every year to rebuild the entire commercial air fleet. We simply cannot afford to keep wasting these resources: it is every citizen's responsibility to recycle."
This passage begins with facts but ends with opinions. What is the primary purpose?