Spotting Purpose Clues

This worksheet helps students in Grades 4 and 5 strengthen close reading, critical thinking, and author’s purpose skills by analyzing short, varied text excerpts. Learners examine a persuasive headline, an informational caption and article excerpt, and a suspenseful story clip, identifying specific clues-such as tone, word choice, facts, and emotional appeal-that reveal the author’s intent.

Learning Goals

• Determining Author’s Purpose Using Evidence (Grades 4-5)
  Students identify whether a text aims to persuade, inform, or entertain by citing clear textual clues.
• Analyzing Tone, Language & Structure
  Learners examine how wording, facts, and emotional cues signal purpose.
• Close Reading Across Text Types
  Students practice applying analysis skills to both informational and literary texts.
• Critical Interpretation Skills
  The activity reinforces thoughtful evaluation of how authors communicate intention.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with upper elementary ELA standards.
• Clue-Based Analysis Format
  Requires students to list evidence before identifying purpose, strengthening reasoning.
• Varied Text Examples
  Exposes students to different writing styles and purposes in a single activity.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Ideal for reading lessons, literacy centers, independent practice, or assessment.

This printable worksheet helps students become more strategic readers by focusing on how authors signal purpose through language and structure. By identifying textual clues and connecting them to author intent, learners strengthen close reading, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. It’s a meaningful, no-prep resource that works well in both classroom instruction and homeschool learning.

This worksheet is part of our Author’s Purpose Worksheets collection.