Identify informational purpose

Supplied materials

• Paper and pencil, or a browser text area. All named people/events/records are fictional learning inputs.
• Worked case: Excerpt A: A paper hinge lets two panels move: the fold bends while the panels remain joined. Excerpt B: We should label each part. Without names, a reader cannot connect our instructions to the model. Excerpt C: 1890: first design; 1902: revised design; 1910: public display. Readers need to see the order and gaps. Excerpt D: The fold sometimes catches on the cardboard edge.
• Primary check: Excerpt A: Add labels to the model. Three of four visitors asked which part was the hinge, so clearer names deserve a trial. Excerpt B: We should label parts because readers need to connect the instructions to the correct pieces. Analyze the because-clause. Excerpt C: Model A uses cardboard and paper; model B uses wood and cloth. Readers need to compare both material categories. Excerpt D: In this sample of four volunteers, three asked for the hinge name.

Learn the idea

Informational writing may explain, argue, report or define. Evaluate its organization and language together rather than guessing purpose from the title alone.

Find the stated aim and the action the writer asks of a reader, if any. Name the matching purpose.

Original worked input: Original excerpt A: A paper hinge lets two panels move: the fold bends while the panels remain joined. The task is to identify informational purpose. The answer is “explain how something works”. Evidence: A paper hinge lets two panels move: the fold bends while the panels remain joined. Reasoning: explain how something works is supported because parts and movement are related to explain how the mechanism works. A definition need not propose a policy.

1. Read the supplied worked case and identify the part named in this lesson. An adult can model unfamiliar words.
2. Find the stated aim and the action the writer asks of a reader, if any. Name the matching purpose.
3. Check the worked solution: explain how something works. Evidence: A paper hinge lets two panels move: the fold bends while the panels remain joined. Reasoning: explain how something works is supported because parts and movement are related to explain how the mechanism works. A definition need not propose a policy.
4. Use the new primary and practice cases. Give a reason from the actual words before checking the feedback.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

Changed-input task: Original excerpt A: Use larger labels for the next display. Small print led these volunteers to ask for the part names. Give an evidence-based answer before looking at the model. Expected reasoning: Evidence: Use larger labels for the next display. Small print led these volunteers to ask for the part names. Reasoning: argue for an action is supported because the writer proposes an action and supplies support for doing it. A definition need not propose a policy. Then write a brief alternative sentence, paragraph, source note or scene that demonstrates the same operation; label new fictional details and preserve source limits.

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