TACHS Reading

Comprehensive study of tachs reading covering fundamental concepts and advanced applications.

Understanding Main IdeasIdentifying Supporting DetailsMaking Inferences
Understanding Author’s PurposeAnalyzing Text StructureInterpreting Figurative Language
Reading for Real-World InformationApplying Vocabulary in ContextSynthesizing Information from Multiple Sources
Active Reading TechniquesTime Management During the Test
Understanding Main I...Identifying Supporti...Making InferencesUnderstanding Author...Analyzing Text Struc...Interpreting Figurat...Reading for Real-Wor...Applying Vocabulary ...Synthesizing Informa...Active Reading Techn...Time Management Duri...
Advanced Topics

Understanding Author’s Purpose

Why Did the Author Write This?

Every text has a purpose—why the author wrote it. The main reasons are to persuade, inform, or entertain (sometimes called PIE!).

  • Persuade: The author wants you to do or believe something.
  • Inform: The author gives you facts and information.
  • Entertain: The author wants to amuse or tell a story.

Spotting the Author’s Purpose

  • Look for opinions or arguments = persuade.
  • Lots of facts and explanations = inform.
  • Funny, dramatic, or adventurous stories = entertain.

Why It Matters

Knowing the author’s purpose helps you understand the text better and answer tricky questions.

Practice

Ask yourself: "What does the author want me to think, know, or feel?"

Examples

  • A commercial about adopting pets tries to persuade you.

  • A science article about volcanoes aims to inform.

  • A comic strip about a superhero’s adventures is meant to entertain.

In a Nutshell

The author’s purpose is the main reason why a text was written: to persuade, inform, or entertain.

Key Terms

Author’s Purpose
The reason an author writes a text.
Persuade
To convince the reader to do or believe something.
Inform
To provide facts or information.
Entertain
To amuse or engage the reader.
Next
Analyzing Text Structure