English Language Arts3-5
Author's Purpose PIEED Reference and Practice Set
By Mary L.
A reference guide and practice set for 5th graders that teaches the five author's purposes (Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain, Describe) through the PIEED mnemonic. Students build skills in identifying purpose using clue words, text features, and examples, and the packet works well for a 30-45 minute reading or ELA block, whether whole-class or in small groups.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the PIEED chart first, then have students read a short passage together and use the four-step routine (read once, ask what the author wants, match to the chart, check clue words).
- Discussion question: What clue words in this text helped you decide the author wanted to persuade rather than inform? Follow up with: Could a text have more than one purpose, and how would you decide which is primary?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a sentence frame such as "The author wants me to ___ because the text uses the clue word ___," and pre-highlight key clue words in the first example.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to find a text where two purposes overlap, such as an article that informs while also persuading, and justify their choice with evidence.
- Estimated time: About 30-45 minutes for the guide and one practice passage, plus 10 minutes for sharing answers.
English Language Arts3-5
Author's Purpose PIEED Reference and Practice Set
By Mary L.
A reference guide and practice set for 5th graders that teaches the five author's purposes (Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain, Describe) through the PIEED mnemonic. Students build skills in identifying purpose using clue words, text features, and examples, and the packet works well for a 30-45 minute reading or ELA block, whether whole-class or in small groups.
Customize for your classroom
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the PIEED chart first, then have students read a short passage together and use the four-step routine (read once, ask what the author wants, match to the chart, check clue words).
- Discussion question: What clue words in this text helped you decide the author wanted to persuade rather than inform? Follow up with: Could a text have more than one purpose, and how would you decide which is primary?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a sentence frame such as "The author wants me to ___ because the text uses the clue word ___," and pre-highlight key clue words in the first example.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to find a text where two purposes overlap, such as an article that informs while also persuading, and justify their choice with evidence.
- Estimated time: About 30-45 minutes for the guide and one practice passage, plus 10 minutes for sharing answers.