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Reading

	Federal Way Public Schools

Thinking Critically
Lesson 8

Analyzing Author's Purpose

Objectives/Vocab/Tips > Examples: 1 | 2 | 3 > Practice: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 > Self Check

Example 1:

Instruction:

You read "From the Land and Back" while you worked on previous lessons of this course. Remember it is about a farmer and two families who camp on his land with their wagons and stock. Read it again, except this time:

Read the question first.
Look for clues about the theme as you read. What has to be the same, what could be changed without changing the theme? One tip that will work for this question is to read the choice answers, considering each one to see if there are clues or hints that make the answer true.

Click on the book icon to the right. Keep the passage open as we work through this example.

From the
Land and Back

Question:

In an earlier question about theme, you decided the message of this story is:

People often get back what they give.

Which of the following is the most important to the meaning of this story?

Remember to:

Read the question before reading the passage.
Consider each answer choice. The strategy we will use for this question is to make a question out of each answer and find evidence in the text to either support the answer or not.

Think:

What are the key words in this question? (most important, meaning)
Which choices can you eliminate right away, and which are possibly correct answers?
Remember the "YES, NO, MAYBE" tool.

Multiple Choice Answers:

(Remember the question. Which of the following is the most important to the meaning of this story?)

Even though this is an example, you can give it a try on your own. Read each one and go through the process of turning the statement to a question like this:

Answer choice: The description of the setting.
Turn this to a question: Is the description of the setting VERY IMPORTANT to the message? Could the setting be changed and the message remain the same?

Then, without looking at the explanations below, think your way through each answer and select Yes, No, Maybe.

Yes	No	Maybe		Answers
			A.	The description of the setting.
			B.	The author's comments.
			C.	The dialogue of the characters.
			D.	The action and the conflict.

Check your answer. Did you use the same thought process? Did you arrive at the same conclusion?

Yes	No	Maybe		Answers
			A.	The description of the setting *Turn this to a question:* Is the description of the setting VERY IMPORTANT to the message? Could the setting be changed and the message remain the same? Of course the setting could be changed. It could be summer or fall. It could be a corn field instead of an orchard. The message would stay the same. This choice has to be NO. Eliminate this answer quickly.
			B.	The author's comments *Turn this to a question:* Is what the author (farmer in this case) says VERY IMPORTANT to the message? Could the farmer's words be changed and the message remain the same? First go back to the text and see what the farmer does say. You might be surprised to find he only says four words: "You won't," and "You will." The message is not complete from those words alone. This choice has to be NO also. Eliminate this answer.
			C.	The dialogue of the characters *Turn this to a question:* Is what the characters (meaning the two travelers and the farmer) say VERY IMPORTANT to the message? If the subject of the dialog were changed, would the message remain the same? First go back to the text and see what they say. Traveler 1: "We sure hope we find better neighbors where we're headed than those we left behind." Farmer: "You won't." Traveler 2: "We hated to leave our neighbors behind. They were helpful, really wonderful folks. We hope we'll find people as nice where we're going." Farmer: "You will." This dialogue is the core for the message "People often get back what they give." If the dialogue were changed, the message would not be the same either! Yes, this answer is supported by the text.
			D.	The action and the conflict *Turn this to a question:* Is the action and conflict VERY IMPORTANT to the message? Could the action and conflict be changed and would the message remain the same? First what is the action? Travelers spending the night in an orchard on their way west. What is the conflict? Seems both travelers desire to find good neighbors in the west. The conflict is necessary for the message, but the action could certainly be changed. They could meet and have the discussion by a stream in the middle of the day, along a mountain pass at midnight, or walking in the desert. This choice has to be NO also. Besides you've already found a really good answer. This just confirms that Answer C is the best!

Example 2 >>