Determine the author's purpose

Every time someone writes something — a story, an article, a speech, or even a text message — they have a reason for writing it. That reason is called the author's purpose. Understanding why an author wrote something helps you figure out the main idea, spot hidden opinions, and answer test questions with confidence.

People have thought about the purpose of writing for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, teachers called rhetoricians (experts in persuasive speaking) taught students how to recognize why a speaker chose certain words. Over time, readers and teachers built tools to help us identify what an author is really trying to do.

So the big question every strong reader asks is: "Why did the author write this?" Once you can answer that, you unlock a deeper understanding of any passage you read.

A handy way to remember the three main reasons authors write is the acronym PIE. PIE stands for Persuade, Inform, and Entertain. Almost every passage you encounter on the TACHS will fit into one of these three categories.

The diagram below shows how the three purposes connect to the types of writing you'll see on the TACHS. Notice how each purpose has its own set of signal words (clue words that help you identify the purpose) and common text types (kinds of writing).

When you see a passage on the TACHS, scan it quickly and ask yourself three questions. Does the author use opinion words like "should" or "best"? That points to persuade. Does the passage stick to facts and data? That points to inform. Does it tell a story or use vivid descriptions? That points to entertain.

There is no math formula for author's purpose, but there is a clear process you can follow every time. Think of it as a detective checklist. You gather clues from the passage and then decide which purpose fits best.

Sometimes a test question asks you to be more specific than just "persuade," "inform," or "entertain." Authors can have sub-purposes — smaller, more detailed reasons for writing. The table below breaks down the most common ones you'll see.

Keep in mind that a single passage can have more than one purpose. A science article might inform you about climate change and try to persuade you to reduce pollution. On a test, choose the main purpose — the one that best describes the overall passage.

Let's walk through a TACHS-style passage together. Read the short passage below and follow each step.

Notice how we didn't just say "persuade." We also said what the author wants to persuade readers to do. A complete answer like this will help you on the TACHS.

Some passages can be tricky because they seem to fit more than one purpose. The table below highlights the strengths and limitations of each purpose to help you tell them apart.

Figuring out the author's purpose is one piece of a bigger puzzle. Once you know why the author wrote the passage, you can more easily answer other reading comprehension questions, like identifying the main idea, understanding the tone, and spotting bias (one-sided opinions).

On the TACHS and in high school, you will be asked to do more than just name the purpose. You will need to explain how the author achieves that purpose — by pointing to specific word choices, evidence, and techniques. Building your PIE skills now gives you a strong head start.