Deeper Purpose Identification

This worksheet supports students in Grades 5 and 6 as they strengthen close reading, critical thinking, and analytical comprehension skills by identifying an author’s purpose in more detailed passages. Learners read richer texts with nuanced language and context, then determine whether the author’s intent is to persuade, inform, or entertain by carefully evaluating tone, structure, and textual evidence.

Learning Goals

• Identifying Author’s Purpose (Grades 5-6)
  Students accurately classify passages as persuasive, informational, or entertaining based on evidence.
• Evaluating Purpose & Tone
  Learners analyze how word choice, emphasis, and tone reveal an author’s underlying intent.
• Close Reading of Complex Texts
  Students interpret deeper context and richer vocabulary to support conclusions.
• Critical Use of Text Evidence
  The activity reinforces justifying decisions with specific details from the passage.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to align with upper elementary ELA comprehension and analysis standards.
• Increased Text Complexity
  Provides a step up from basic purpose identification for deeper skill development.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Suitable for guided reading, literacy centers, independent practice, assessment, or homework.
• Builds Analytical Confidence
  Helps students become more precise and thoughtful when evaluating author intent.

This printable worksheet helps students refine their ability to identify an author’s purpose by working with more sophisticated passages. By closely analyzing tone, content, and structure, learners strengthen critical reading skills, interpretation accuracy, and confidence in evaluating text intent. 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.