Author's Purpose

Why do authors do what they do?

Authors write for 4 reasons

​1. To persuade
2. To inform
3. To entertain
4. To express

It's easy a PIEE!

​P - persuade
I - inform
E - entertain
E - express

Did you know that you can use the text structure and main idea to help you figure out the authors purpose?

Step 1: Find the main idea

Step 2: Ask which "slice of PIEE" the author is trying to serve us

Step 3: Smash em together to identify the authors purpose

Step 1:
We said the main idea is...

... that axolotls are critically endangered, but scientists and conservations are working on solutions to help save them.

Step 2:
The slice of pie....

... the author seems to be serving us...

I - inform!

Step 3:
SMASH EM TOGETHER!

The main idea of this passage is that axolotls are critically endangered, but scientists and conservations are working on solutions to help save them.

The author is serving us the INFORM slice of PIEE.

SMASHED TOGETHER: The author most likely wrote this article in order to inform the reader about different ways scientists and conservations are working to stop axolotls from being critically endangered.