Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) Terms Practice Test

Author's purpose is the reason the author writes a text. It explains whether the goal is to inform with facts, persuade with a point of view, entertain with a story or humor, or explain how something works. This is different from inference, which is what you figure out from clues not stated outright; the central idea, which is the main point the text is about; and the theme, which is the broader message or lesson. When you read, ask: What is the author trying to accomplish? Are they presenting information, arguing a case, telling a story to amuse, or clarifying how something works? That tells you the author's purpose.