Helping students understand the types of author’s purpose is an important step in building strong reading comprehension skills. When students can explain why an author wrote a text, they better understand the message and overall meaning. This skill supports comprehension across subject areas and becomes increasingly important in upper elementary.
Why Teach the Types of Author’s Purpose?
Many teachers ask what are the 5 types of author’s purpose and how to teach them clearly. Author’s purpose is often introduced quickly, which can leave students feeling unsure. With clear instruction and consistent language, students gain a framework for analyzing texts and explaining their thinking. Taking time to introduce author’s purpose early can make a noticeable difference throughout the year.
What is Author’s Purpose?
Author’s purpose refers to the reason an author writes a text. It explains what the author wants the reader to know, think, or feel after reading. Understanding author’s purpose helps students move beyond retelling and begin thinking more deeply about texts.
When students identify an author’s purpose, they start to notice patterns in writing. They pay attention to word choice, text features, and the information included. These clues help readers determine why the text was written and how it is meant to be read.
What are the 5 Types of Author’s Purpose?
To make this skill easier to remember, I teach the types of author’s purpose using the acronym P.I.E.E.D. Each letter represents a different reason an author may write a text. These letters stand for Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain, and Describe. Using an acronym helps students remember the purposes and apply them more confidently while reading.
1. Persuade
When an author writes to persuade, they are trying to convince the reader to think or act a certain way. Persuasive texts often share opinions and provide reasons or evidence to support those opinions.
Example: Everyone should recycle because it helps protect the environment and reduces waste.
This example tells the reader what they should do and gives reasons to agree.
2. Inform
When an author writes to inform, they want to give the reader facts or information about a topic. Informational texts focus on teaching the reader something new without sharing opinions.
Example: The city of St. Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States.
This example shares factual information and helps the reader learn about a real place.
3. Entertain
When an author writes to entertain, their goal is to tell a story or engage the reader. Entertaining texts are written for enjoyment and often include characters, settings, and events.
Example: The boy flipped the coin nervously as he slowly opened the creaking door.
This example entertains the reader by telling part of a story and creating curiosity.
4. Explain
When an author writes to explain, they are telling how something works or how to do something. Explanatory texts focus on processes, steps, or reasons.
Example: Hurricanes form when warm ocean water causes air to rise and create low pressure.
This example explains how something happens by describing a process and the reasons why.
5. Describe
When an author writes to describe, they use details to help the reader picture a person, place, or thing. Descriptive texts focus on specific features, characteristics, and details.
Example: The statue stood tall in the harbor, its green surface worn by years of wind.
This example describes what the statue looks like and helps the reader visualize it.
Opportunities to Clarify
Some types of author’s purpose are easy to confuse, especially when they share similar features. This section helps clarify them.
Inform vs. Explain
Students sometimes confuse inform and explain because both share information. When an author writes to inform, they focus on giving facts about a topic. When an author writes to explain, they focus on how or why something happens.
A helpful question to ask is, Is the author teaching facts or explaining a process?
Inform vs. Describe
Inform and describe are sometimes confused because both include details. When an author writes to inform, they focus on sharing facts about a topic. When an author writes to describe, they focus on helping the reader picture something clearly.
A helpful question to ask is, Is the author sharing facts, or helping the reader visualize something?
Understanding the five types of author’s purpose gives students a clear framework for thinking about texts. Using the P.I.E.E.D. acronym helps students remember each purpose and apply it while reading. With continued practice and consistent language, students become more confident identifying why an author wrote a text.
Author’s Purpose Anchor Chart
A visual anchor chart can help students remember the five types of author’s purpose while they read. I introduce P.I.E.E.D. early and keep the chart posted as a reference throughout the year. Students use it to name the author’s purpose and support their thinking with evidence from the text.
Each slice of the pie represents a different reason an author may write. The simple definitions and color coding help students quickly recall each purpose during reading discussions and written responses.
FREE Context Clue Anchor Chart
Click on the image below to download the FREE Context Clues anchor chart.
Author’s Purpose Teaching Resource
If you are looking for an introductory resource to teach author’s purpose, this Author’s Purpose resource may be helpful. It is designed to support initial instruction and build a clear understanding of the five types of author’s purpose using PIE and PIEED. The resource includes anchor charts, graphic organizers, posters, and reference materials that work well for whole group lessons and guided practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 types of author’s purpose?
The five types of author’s purpose are persuade, inform, entertain, explain, and describe. These categories help students understand why an author wrote a text and what the author wants the reader to do or learn.
What does PIEED stand for?
PIEED stands for Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain and Describe. Teachers often use this acronym to help students remember the five types of author’s purpose while reading.
What is the difference between inform and explain?
When an author writes to inform, they share facts or information about a topic. When an author writes to explain, they focus on how or why something happens, often describing a process or cause and effect.
What is the difference between inform and describe?
Informational texts focus on facts and details about a topic. Descriptive texts focus on details that help the reader picture a person, place, or thing.
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