Why Did They Write It?
Aligned to RI.2.6 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Every text is written for a reason. The author may want to answer a question, explain an idea, or describe something.
Worked examples
Example 1
A book about brushing teeth is written to explain how to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Example 2
A book of jokes is written to entertain you. A book on fire safety is written to keep you safe. The purpose changes how you read it.
Example 3
There are three main purposes: to inform, to persuade, to entertain. Asking which one changes how much you should trust it.
Practice questions
- Read a short text and tell what it is mostly about.
- Decide if the author wants to answer, explain, or describe something.
- Explain in one sentence why the author wrote the text.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
¿Por qué lo escribieron?
Cada texto se escribe por una razón. El autor puede querer responder una pregunta, explicar una idea o describir algo.
Ejemplo 1: Un libro sobre cómo lavarse los dientes se escribe para explicar cómo mantener los dientes limpios y sanos.
Ejemplo 2: Un libro de chistes se escribe para entretenerte. Un libro sobre seguridad contra incendios se escribe para mantenerte a salvo. El propósito cambia cómo lo lees.
Ejemplo 3: Hay tres propósitos principales: informar, convencer y entretener. Preguntar cuál es cambia cuánto deberías confiar en él.
More Reading: Informational lessons
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