Students in the cafeteria learned a simple plan for recycling. It explains which items go in blue, green, and gray bins, why sorting helps the environment, and gives quick tips for families to save resources at home and school.

To inform readers how to sort and recycle items

To persuade students to buy new recycling bins

To entertain with a recycling song

A travel notice describes a new short train route between two coastal towns. It lists departure times, highlights scenic stops, explains how tickets are bought online, and mentions safety rules for bicycles on the train.

To inform travelers about the new train route

To sell souvenirs for the seaside towns

An advertisement for a lemonade stand uses cheerful language to invite neighbors to stop by. It lists flavors, prices, and a weekend schedule, and it promises that a portion of the money will support a local animal shelter.

To persuade neighbors to visit the lemonade stand

A weather update explains that a cold front will arrive tonight. It describes expected temperatures, suggests wearing layers, warns about slippery roads in the morning, and tells families when school buses might run late.

To inform readers about expected weather and safety tips

To describe a personal vacation

A short poem describes a rainy afternoon, how puddles reflect streetlights, and how the narrator likes the sound of drops on the window. It uses sensory language and ends with a gentle surprise that makes readers smile.

To entertain with sensory language and feelings

A letter from a mayor announces a new playground being built with safe equipment and accessible ramps. It explains the project's goals, invites community feedback at a meeting, and lists the expected opening month this fall.

To inform the community about the new playground and invite feedback

To tell a fictional tale about a playground

To inform the community about the new playground and invite feedback

A cookbook instruction shows how to make quick vegetable soup: chop vegetables, simmer with broth for twenty minutes, season to taste, and serve warm. It includes a note about vegetarian substitutions and a tip to save leftovers.

To teach how to make quick vegetable soup

To review a restaurant's soup menu

To persuade readers to buy canned soup brands

A science blurb explains how plants make food through sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. It outlines a simple experiment using leaves to show gas exchange and offers safety reminders for working in the classroom lab.

To explain how plants make food and a simple experiment

To tell a personal story about a garden party

A short opinion piece argues that more art supplies should be in schools. The writer gives reasons, shares a personal example of creative learning, and asks readers to support a modest budget change at the next school meeting.

To persuade readers to support more art supplies in schools

To provide historical facts about art

To entertain with a funny art story

To persuade readers to support more art supplies in schools

A safety announcement explains how to cross a busy street: stop, look left and right, walk straight across at crosswalks, and hold a grown-up's hand if under ten. It gives reasons why these steps protect children from traffic.

To teach steps for crossing a street safely

To describe a park opening schedule

To tell a weather forecast for the afternoon

A short news report summarizes a school science fair winners' list. It names projects, states award categories, quotes a judge praising creativity, and tells where photos will be posted on the school website.

To report the science fair winners and details

To promote a book about science fairs

To report the science fair winners and details

To sell tickets to the science fair awards night

A friendly how-to explains tying shoelaces using the 'bunny ears' method: make two loops, cross them, pull through, and tighten. It lists practice tips and reminds students to check laces before gym class.

To teach the 'bunny ears' method for tying shoelaces

To explain why shoes are important

To tell a story about buying new shoes

To teach the 'bunny ears' method for tying shoelaces

A nature paragraph describes a neighborhood park's new butterfly garden, noting the plants chosen, how volunteers planted them, and how the garden helps pollinators. It ends by inviting readers to watch for colorful butterflies in spring.

To inform readers about the butterfly garden and its benefits

To persuade families to plant trees in their yards

A short persuasive flyer encourages families to attend a free community health clinic offering vaccines and checkups. It lists services, hours, and simple steps to register, and stresses the benefit of staying healthy together.

To persuade families to attend the free health clinic and register

To give a recipe for healthy snacks

To persuade families to attend the free health clinic and register

To entertain with a comic about doctors

A fictional passage tells about Maya finding a lost kitten on a rainy night, taking it home, making a warm bed, and deciding to ask for permission to keep it. The story focuses on feelings and kind choices.

To entertain readers with a short story about finding a kitten

To explain how to care for wildlife scientifically

To inform about lost pet shelter hours

To entertain readers with a short story about finding a kitten

Fifth Grade ELA Reading Strategies | Identify the Purpose of a Text

Go to the practice →

What does it mean to identify the purpose of a text?

Purpose is the reason why an author writes a text. Every text has a goal—whether to teach, entertain, or persuade the reader.

Examples:

A story about a magical dragon → to entertain
A passage about how plants grow → to inform
A commercial asking you to try a new snack → to persuade

Note

Always ask yourself: “Why did the author write this?” The answer will help you find the purpose.

The three main purposes of texts

Authors usually write with one of three main purposes: to inform, to entertain, or to persuade.

Examples:

Inform: A textbook about the solar system
Entertain: A funny comic strip
Persuade: A letter convincing parents to buy a pet

Note

Some texts may have more than one purpose, but usually one stands out the most.

Clues to find the author’s purpose

You can use clues in the text to figure out the purpose. Look at the words, the tone, and the details provided.

Clues:

Facts and numbers → likely to inform
Jokes, characters, or adventure → likely to entertain
Strong opinions, reasons, or calls to action → likely to persuade

Note

Pay attention to what the author says and how the author says it. That often reveals the purpose.

Why is finding the purpose important?

Knowing the author’s purpose helps you understand the text better. It guides you in reading with the right focus and meaning.

Examples:

If the purpose is to inform, pay attention to facts and details.
If the purpose is to entertain, focus on the characters and events.
If the purpose is to persuade, notice the arguments and reasons.

Note

When you know the purpose, you can respond to the text more thoughtfully as a reader.

Practice finding the purpose

Try to identify the purpose in different texts you read every day. The more you practice, the easier it will become.

Examples:

A recipe in a cookbook → to inform
A mystery novel → to entertain
A school campaign poster → to persuade

Note

Practice with both short passages and longer texts. You’ll find that the author’s purpose is always there, waiting to be discovered.

Go to the practice →

D.1 Find the author’s purpose

What does it mean to identify the purpose of a text?

The three main purposes of texts

Clues to find the author’s purpose

Why is finding the purpose important?

Practice finding the purpose