Author Intent Decoder

This worksheet helps students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 build reading comprehension, critical thinking, and media literacy skills by analyzing short passages to determine an author’s purpose. Learners read eight brief texts and decide whether each one is meant to inform or persuade, using clues such as tone, factual detail, statistics, emotional language, and persuasive wording to support their conclusions.

Skills Reinforced

• Author’s Purpose (Grades 4-6)
  Students identify whether a passage is designed to provide information or influence opinions and beliefs.
• Informational vs. Persuasive Text Analysis
  Learners compare language features commonly found in nonfiction and persuasive writing.
• Tone and Language Evaluation
  Students examine emotional appeals, word choice, and supporting details to uncover author intent.
• Media Literacy Foundations
  The activity prepares students to interpret messages in articles, advertisements, opinion pieces, and digital media.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to support upper elementary ELA standards and nonfiction reading instruction.
• Clear, Structured Practice
  Short passages make the task approachable while still requiring thoughtful analysis.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for reading lessons, literacy centers, homework, test prep, or small-group discussion.
• Supports Diverse Learners
  Focused passages allow students to practice skills without cognitive overload.

This printable worksheet helps students become more thoughtful readers by recognizing how authors shape language to inform or persuade. By analyzing tone, wording, and purpose, learners strengthen comprehension, critical thinking, and media awareness. It’s a simple, no-prep resource that works well for both classroom instruction and homeschool learning.

This worksheet is part of our Fact vs. Opinion Worksheets collection.