Examples of Purpose in Informational Text for Elementary Students

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🎯 Purpose in Informational Text: The reason an author writes something (to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain).
• 📢 To Inform: To give facts and information about a topic. Example: A book about the solar system.
• 📣 To Persuade: To convince the reader to believe something. Example: An advertisement for a toy.
• 🎭 To Entertain: To provide enjoyment or amusement. Example: A funny story about animals.
• ❓ To Explain: To describe how something works or why something happens. Example: An article about how plants grow.
• 🔎 Clues to Identify Purpose: Look at the text's features (headings, captions), word choice, and overall message.

Practice Quiz

1. What is the main purpose of informational text?
   1. A. To tell a fictional story
   2. B. To provide facts and information
   3. C. To make the reader laugh
   4. D. To trick the reader
2. Which of these texts is MOST likely written to persuade?
   1. A. A recipe for cookies
   2. B. A news report about the weather
   3. C. An advertisement for a new video game
   4. D. A biography of a famous scientist
3. If a text’s main goal is to make you laugh, what is its purpose?
   1. A. To inform
   2. B. To persuade
   3. C. To entertain
   4. D. To explain
4. Which of these texts is MOST likely written to explain?
   1. A. A poem about love
   2. B. Instructions on how to build a birdhouse
   3. C. A scary story about a haunted house
   4. D. A song about friendship
5. What might an author include to help you understand their purpose?
   1. A. Only pictures
   2. B. Clear headings and captions
   3. C. Random facts
   4. D. Confusing words
6. A book describing the life cycle of a butterfly is MOST likely written for what purpose?
   1. A. To entertain
   2. B. To inform
   3. C. To persuade
   4. D. To confuse
7. An article trying to convince you to recycle is written for what purpose?
   1. A. To inform
   2. B. To entertain
   3. C. To persuade
   4. D. To explain