Understanding author’s purpose gives students a deeper connection and helps expand their reading comprehension. Many teachers use the classic “easy as PIE” method: Persuade, Inform, and Entertain. Others choose to add more details, or approach the topic from another angle. Either way, these author’s purpose anchor charts provide plenty of assistance for young readers. Choose a few to try with your students soon!
1. Why writers write
Start the discussion by asking kids to think about why writers write in the first place. Then narrow down the reasons to basics, such as to entertain, persuade, inform, teach, and so on.
Source: @dancinsinwithlittles/Instagram
2. Why did the author write the book?
The fundamental question students need to be able to answer is “Why did the author write the book?” This chart introduces the PIE method and provides some examples.
Source: @luckylittlelearners/Instagram
3. Easy as PIE
Really want to get your students’ attention? Add a 3-D element! This is one of those author’s purpose anchor charts that’s sure to make an impression.
Source: Natalie M. Street/Pinterest
4. Easy as PIE with examples
Here’s an engaging version of the Easy as PIE author’s purpose anchor charts to try. We love the color coding for the “pie” fillings and examples.
Source: Brittany McThenia Stein/Pinterest
5. Slice of pie
Serve them a slice of PIE by adding paper plates to your chart. Informative and fun!
Source: ELA in the Middle
6. Look for…
This PIE chart gives kids cues to look for while they read to help them identify the author’s purpose. Bonus tip: Can’t draw a pie? Print one out and paste it to the chart!
Source: Teaching With Simplicity
7. Think about it
The questions on this handy chart help kids think hard about the author’s purpose in writing.
Source: Mrs. Lagrana’s Grade 2 Class
8. One topic, three purposes
Some students may confuse topic with purpose. This chart helps remind them to look past the main idea to determine why the author is writing.
Source: Upper Elementary Snapshots
9. Printable author’s purpose
Want a clear chart with illustrations? You can print this one for free at the link!
Source: Mrs. Wyatt’s Wise Owl Teacher Creations/Teacher’s Dojo
10. PIE details
If you’ve got room, consider making three separate author’s purpose anchor charts. This gives you room to add more details about each type.
Source: Life in First Grade
11. PIE and T
Ready to expand on the basic PIE chart? This one adds a side of T: Teach a lesson. Clever and easy to remember.
Source: Hippo Hurray for Second Grade
12. Get PIE’ED
Add a few more letters to your PIE chart. The second E stands for Explain, and the D is for Describe.
Source: Crafting Connections
13. Drink LemonADE
Tired of the traditional PIE author’s purpose anchor charts? Try the lemonADE method instead. It stands for Answer, Describe, and Explain.
Source: Holly Acton
14. Multiple purposes
When it comes down to it, authors have a lot of reasons for writing. This chart provides students with plenty of options to choose from.
Source: Book Units Teacher
15. Reader’s job
Your students might wonder why they even need to determine an author’s purpose. This chart links those purposes with the way a reader approaches a text.
Source: Mrs. Braun’s 2nd Grade Class
Looking for more ideas? Check out the 40 best anchor charts for reading comprehension.
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