Analyzing Author's Purpose: The Anchor
Grade 10 English Language Arts Exploring The Outsiders and Animal Farm Understanding Why Authors Write
Warm-Up: Quick Write
Think about a story or book that really made you care about a character or made you want to think differently about something. Why do you think the author wrote that story? Write for 5 minutes in your journal Be ready to share your thoughts!
What is Author's Purpose?
The reason why an author writes a particular text To inform, persuade, entertain, or express feelings Authors use literary elements to achieve their purpose Themes, characters, and setting all support the author's message
Exploring The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton wrote to bridge social divides Explores themes of class conflict and identity Shows that people are more alike than different Written when Hinton was just 16 years old
Key Quote from The Outsiders
"I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me." - Ponyboy Curtis How does this quote reveal the author's purpose? What does it tell us about identity and self-understanding?
Guided Reading: Animal Farm Chapter 1
Read Chapter 1 silently Annotate references that hint at author's purpose Look for symbolism and character introductions Consider: What mood does Orwell create? What message about power or society?
Understanding Orwell's Purpose
George Orwell wrote Animal Farm as an allegory Critiques totalitarian governments and corruption of power Uses farm animals to represent different social classes Written during World War II to warn about political dangers
Comparing Author's Purposes
{"left":"The Outsiders: Explores social class divisions and teenage identity\nAnimal Farm: Critiques political corruption and abuse of power\nBoth address social issues affecting ordinary people","right":"Both use relatable characters to convey serious messages\nHinton focuses on personal growth and understanding\nOrwell focuses on political awareness and warning"}
Discussion Question
How do both authors use their stories to make readers think about fairness and justice in society? What evidence from the texts supports your answer? Which author's approach do you find more effective and why?
Exit Ticket: Reflection
Write 2-3 sentences explaining: How does understanding the author's purpose help you better understand Chapter 1 of Animal Farm? Turn in your response before leaving This will help me assess your understanding