Spotting Purpose Clues Answer Key

In this worksheet, students read several short text excerpts-a persuasive headline, an informational caption and article excerpt, and a suspenseful story clip. For each passage, students identify textual clues that reveal the author’s purpose, such as tone, word choice, facts, or emotional appeal. After listing these clues, they determine whether the author’s purpose is to persuade, inform, or entertain. This activity helps learners understand how writers use language and structure to communicate their intentions. By analyzing clues directly from the text, students strengthen their close reading skills and deepen their comprehension of author strategy.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Determining Author’s Purpose Using Text Evidence

English Language Arts – Analyzing Tone, Language, and Structure

English Language Arts – Close Reading of Literary and Informational Text

English Language Arts – Critical Thinking and Interpretation

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