Explore Different Genres with an Author’s Purpose Sorting Activity

Looking for an interactive and engaging way to teach students about author’s purpose? This author’s purpose sorting activity is the perfect resource to help your students practice distinguishing between persuasive, informative and narrative writing. When using this resource, your students will be challenged to read and analyze various short texts to determine the author’s intent.

Each task card contains a short paragraph. Students are required to:

1. Choose a card and read the paragraph. 
2. Identify if the purpose of the paragraph is to persuade, inform or tell a story.
3. Place the card under the correct sort heading. 
4. Record the sort on the recording sheet. 
5. Check responses using the answer key. 

This author’s purpose sorting activity downloads as a full-color PDF or editable Google Slides file. It contains:

• Instruction page
• 3 x sort headings (Informative, Persuasive, Narrative)
• 24 x paragraph cards
• Recording sheet
• Answer key 

Activity Ideas for This Author’s Purpose Sorting Activity

This author’s purpose sorting activity can be used to engage your students in learning about informative, persuasive and narrative writing in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for how you might use these cards in your classroom:

1. Class Discussion – Use the cards as prompts for a class discussion about author’s purpose and how to identify it within different pieces of text. Read a card, then ask students to identify the purpose of the paragraph. Have students explain their reasoning as to why the text fits that particular purpose.
2. Scoot Game – Place the cards around the room. Have students “scoot” from card to card, reading each one and writing their answers on a recording sheet.
3. Center Activity – Set up a learning station where students can work in groups to read each card and place it under the correct heading. Provide a timer to add a sense of challenge!

Download This Author’s Purpose Sort

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the printable PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides file before accessing it.

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter collaborator.

More Text Genre Worksheets

Click below for more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when exploring informative, persuasive and narrative texts with your students.

[resource:5063275] [resource:5035482] [resource:5119239]