Author's
Purpose
Learn to identify why an author writes a passage: to persuade, inform, or entertain: and spot the clues that reveal their intention.
What Is Author's Purpose?
Every time a writer picks up a pen or sits at a keyboard, they have a reason for writing. That reason is called the author's purpose. Understanding it helps you predict the type of language, evidence, and structure a passage will use.
The Three Core Purposes
Most passages on the SSAT fall into one of three categories. A helpful mnemonic is P.I.E.: Persuade, Inform, Entertain.
Why It Matters on the SSAT
Author's purpose questions appear in almost every SSAT reading section. Identifying purpose early helps you:
The P.I.E. Framework
Purpose vs. Main Idea
Students often confuse these two concepts. They are related but different:
| Author's Purpose | Main Idea | |
|---|---|---|
| Question | Why did the author write this? | What is this passage about? |
| Answer type | A verb: persuade, inform, entertain | A statement: the central point |
| Example | To inform readers about volcanoes | Volcanoes form at tectonic boundaries |
Signal Words & Clues
Each purpose has telltale signal words that appear in the passage. Spotting them is the fastest way to identify purpose.
How to Identify Purpose
Example 1: Inform
Example 2: Persuade
Example 3: Entertain
When Purposes Overlap
Some passages blend purposes. A historical novel entertains with a story but also informs with real facts. An editorial may persuade using humorous anecdotes that entertain.
Beyond P.I.E.: Sub-Purposes
SSAT answer choices sometimes use more specific verbs. Here is how they map to the three main purposes:
| Sub-Purpose | Maps To | Example Context |
|---|---|---|
| To explain | Inform | How photosynthesis works |
| To describe | Inform / Entertain | A setting or a scientific process |
| To argue | Persuade | Why recess should be longer |
| To amuse | Entertain | A funny anecdote |
| To compare | Inform | Two types of government |
| To warn | Persuade | Dangers of deforestation |
Tone as a Purpose Clue
The author's tone (attitude toward the subject) is one of the strongest clues to purpose. Match the tone to the likely purpose:
Common Mistakes
Question 1 of 5
"Every student deserves access to a school library. Libraries give children the tools they need to succeed academically. Without them, students from lower-income families are at a severe disadvantage. We must invest in libraries now."
What is the primary purpose of this passage?
Question 2 of 5
"The human body contains approximately 206 bones. The smallest bone, the stapes, is located in the middle ear and is roughly the size of a grain of rice. The largest bone, the femur, can support up to 30 times the weight of an adult."
The author most likely wrote this passage in order to:
Question 3 of 5
"Liam held his breath as the rope bridge swayed beneath him. Far below, the river roared over jagged rocks. One wrong step and he would tumble into the icy water. He forced himself to take another shaky step forward."
What is the author's purpose in this passage?
Question 4 of 5
"Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours. Yet millions of cans end up in landfills each year. If we all recycled our cans, we could dramatically reduce energy waste. It is time for every household to start recycling today."
Which best describes the author's purpose?
Question 5 of 5
"Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. He became a printer, an inventor, and a diplomat. Among his many inventions were bifocal glasses, the lightning rod, and the Franklin stove. He also played a key role in drafting the United States Constitution."
The author's primary purpose in this passage is to: