Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Discover why the author writes and how they feel about the topic.
## Why Did the Author Write This?
Every passage has a purpose—maybe to inform, entertain, persuade, or explain. The author's tone is their attitude toward the topic.
## Recognizing Common Purposes
- To inform: Presents facts or explains something
- To persuade: Tries to convince the reader of something
- To entertain: Tells a story or describes something in an interesting way
## Spotting Tone
Tone can be formal, playful, serious, sarcastic, or excited! Look for word choices and the way the author describes things.
## Practice Makes Perfect
- Ask yourself how the passage makes you feel and why.
- List words or phrases that stand out as emotional or opinionated.
Examples
- A passage about recycling urges you to act, showing a persuasive purpose and an urgent tone.
- A story with lots of jokes uses a humorous and lighthearted tone.