Appendix 1

Group 1- # 1-5
Group 2- # 6-10

Name: ______________________________
Author’s Purpose Activity

Directions: Read the descriptions of each item and determine the author’s main purpose (to
entertain, persuade, or inform). Then, in a sentence or two, explain your answer.

1. A story about a family trying to stick together and survive through the Great Depression in
the Midwest in the 1930s

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

2. A section in a history book describing the conditions and causes of the Great Depression in
the Midwest in the 1930s

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

3. An instructional booklet describing how to operate a smart phone

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

4. An article where the author argues that an iPhone is better than an Android phone

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:
Write a sentence or two.

5. A poem about why the iPhone is the greatest consumer electronic device ever made

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

6. The story of a young athlete who takes steroids and his life and future fall apart

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

7. A medical report describing the effects of steroids on the human body

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

8. A speech written by a professional athlete listing the negative effects of steroids and urging
young athletes to not use steroids

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.
9. A booklet containing the school rules and the consequences for violating those rules

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.

10. A story written about a young boy who moves to a new school and is bullied, but he gains
self-confidence by joining a sports team and learns to stand up for himself.

Author’s Purpose: _______________________________________________________

Explain Your Answer:

Write a sentence or two.
Group 3- # 1-5
Group 4- # 6-11
Name: ______________________________
Author’s Purpose Worksheet 6

Directions: read the description, determine the author’s purpose, and then explain your answer.

1. A handbook teaching people how to negotiate

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

2. A public service announcement telling kids to stay in school

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

3. A menu for a local pizzeria listing the sizes and prices of pizzas and available toppings

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

4. A song about pizza by popular music artist, Miss Directed

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

5. The track listing to Miss Directed’s album, I Want Pizza, which shows the order, length, and
producer of each song
Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

6. A radio commercial script calling Miss Directed’s new album, “The soundtrack of our lives.”

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

7. A pie graph showing how many pies were sold in each flavor during November last year

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

8. A children’s book about a cherry pie and an apple pie that overcome their differences to
become good friends

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

9. A bookmark by the American Dairy Association listing 10 reasons to drink milk

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.

10. A Sunday comic strip that tackles serious issues like immigration and health care

Author’s Purpose:
(to inform, persuade, or entertain)
___________________________________________________________
How do you know? Write a sentence explaining your answer.
Appendix 2
Sample 1
April Fools’ Day
Possibly the funniest day of the year is April Fools’ Day. It happens on the first of April every year,
and it comprises pranks and jokes on friends and family, and sometimes strangers. The phrase to use
is “April Fools!” after you complete a prank or joke. But there is much more to this day than these
common facts. There is a mysterious history of this celebration. There is no real consensus on when
the holiday officially or unofficially began, but this essay will deal with all of the main theories.
The earliest possible mention of April Fools’ Day is in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales,
written in 1392. In the story “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” it is mentioned that “Syn March bigan thritty
dayes and two.” This seems like a jokey way of saying the first of April. However, modern scholars
believe there was a misprint, and that Chaucer meant another date—specifically the anniversary of
the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia on the 2nd of May (“The Origin
of April Fool’s Day”).
The next piece of evidence about April Fools’ Day comes from the French poet Eloy d’Amerval. He
wrote about “poisson d’avril” which means “fish of April” (Amerval, Eliy d.). Some scholars say that
April Fools’ Day started in the Middle Ages in Europe, where the New Year was celebrated on April
1st. Those who had New Year’s Day on January 1st made fun of those who partook in the celebration
on April 1st by sending people fishes. In fact, January 1st was made the mark of the new year
officially only in 1564 according to the Edict of Roussillon (“The Origin of April Fool’s Day”).
Speaking of another mention of April Fool’s Day, in 1539, the Flemish poet Eduard de Dene wrote a
poem about a nobleman who made his servants go on “foolish errands” (“The Origin of April Fool’s
Day”). In a similar region, in the Netherlands, the beginning of this day was initiated with the Dutch
victory at Brielle in 1572 over the Spanish. The fool, in this case, was the defeated Spanish Duke
Álvarez de Toledo. Yet, scholars do not know how to explain this event becoming an international
holiday (Brielle).
There are also two other theories that relate to more ancient times. According to [Link],
“Historians have also linked April Fools’ Day to festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated in
ancient Rome at the end of March and involved people dressing up in disguises. There’s also
speculation that April Fools’ Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring in the
Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather”
(“April Fools’ Day”). As you can see, more and more theories crop up the greater you investigate this
holiday.
Lastly, we come back to Great Britain. In 1686, writer and philosopher John Aubrey wrote about a
celebration called “Fooles Holy Day.” Besides all the obscure references, it is certain that the
celebration became popular through Great Britain in the 18th. According to [Link], “In
Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with “hunting the gowk,” in which people
were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by
Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people’s derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or “kick
me” signs on them” (“April Fools’ Day”). As time went on, and the celebration became more
widespread, it became a one-day holiday.
As you might have noticed, April Fools’ Day has a confusing history. There are multiple theories
about its origins. It variously started in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Italy, and many other places in
Europe. It may or may not have been the mark of a new year, and it may or may not have been
connected to the vernal equinox. One would have to be a fool to accept one theory.
[Link]

Sample 2
Memorandum
To: Cynthia Holm, Director of Facilities; Deb KerKaert, Vice President for Finance From: Olivia Garrett
Date: 12/7/2014
Re: Beautifying the Courtyard

My name is Olivia Garrett, and I am a student at Southwest Minnesota State University. I am now a
junior living off campus, but for my first two years at SMSU I lived on campus. Because of this, I have
become familiar with the layout of campus, the courtyard in particular.

What is known as the courtyard by many is the open, grassy field outside of the old dorms like
Shenandoah, Homestead and Armstrong that runs along Birch Street. Those who live in the old dorms or
the Foundation Residence Apartments, as I did, have windows that look out onto the courtyard. Every day
students see the same view of this empty grass field.

The courtyard should be transformed into an area with paths, benches, trees, flowers and plants to become
a visually appealing and popular destination for those on campus. Paved pathways would allow for ease
of access through and around the courtyard year round. Benches would provide seating for studying,
socializing, and/or relaxing. Trees, flowers and plants would make the courtyard appealing to the eye as
well as create a peaceful atmosphere.

Transforming the courtyard would first benefit those living or working on campus including students,
employees, and faculty. This transformation would give these groups a new and appealing location to
study, meet, and/or relax outside. Other areas on campus currently provide this type of space. The Garden
courtyard and Central courtyard are two examples, but this part of campus by the dorms is lacking such a
space. Although students living on campus would be the obvious group to utilize this area, it is not
limited to just students. The courtyard is open to faculty, employees and community members to enjoy as
well.

Secondly, this project would benefit the university as a whole by improving the overall visual appeal of
campus. The way a campus looks and feels can be an important factor for students. For example,
prospective students who take a tour will remember the area and may even picture themselves utilizing
the courtyard when they attend our university. Constructing, updating and revitalizing area’s on campus is
a project the university constantly undertakes. Beautifying the courtyard is a prime example of the kind of
project that would add value to our university.

Lastly, beautifying the courtyard would create a valuable use of what is currently just wasted space. As
stated previously, the courtyard is now an open, grassy field with no specific purpose. Students currently
use the area for an occasional game of Frisbee or playing catch when the weather is suitable. The
proposed transformation would make the space usable year round, especially the sidewalks during the
winter, for any individual or group on campus.

What makes this project unique is the simplicity of the idea and the location. The idea behind the project
is not complicated and could be accomplished in a matter of weeks. Another reason this idea is unique is
because there is already a predetermined area to work with. The area is like a blank canvas with no
deconstruction necessary. Also, the physical location on campus is ideal. The dorm complexes,
Foundation Residence Apartments and Birch Street provide consistent foot traffic through that area of
campus, which would allow the courtyard to flourish.
 In terms of finances, the total estimate cost to pave cement pathways, plant trees and flowers, and
purchase benches would be $20,000. To understand what the $20,000 would be going towards, an
estimate cost for each portion of the project is worth noting. An estimated $10,000 will be needed to pave
cement paths that will run through the courtyard. $1,500 to $2,500 will be required to purchase and plant
15 to 20 trees of varying types. $500 to $1,000 will be needed to purchase and plant numerous kinds of
flowers and shrubbery throughout the courtyard. Finally, $3,000 to $4,000 will be required to purchase 10
to 15 benches.

Although that may seem high, the benefits of transforming the courtyard are equally high. The courtyard
would be useful for multiple groups. It would also improve the overall visual appeal of the university and
be a utilization of valuable space. Plus, once the area is transformed it will continue to grow and flourish
for years to come. Once the initial cost of construction is covered, little maintenance will be required for
upkeep besides watering and mowing. Southwest Minnesota State University is a vital part of the
Marshall community. Throughout the town are numerous beautiful parks that residents of Marshall enjoy.
Why not give the university a place just as beautiful to call their own?

Fill the needed information below by group.

Guide Questions: Sample Writing 1 Sample Writing 2
What is the main idea of
the sample writing?

What is the purpose of

the sample writing?

Why is the writer telling

the reader this
information?

What can you do with

this knowledge?

Is it an example of
academic writing or
professional writing?
Explain.
[Link]