Author’s Purpose and Patterns of Organization
in “Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall” page 540
An author’s purpose is the reason why the author writes.
Authors may write to
· explain a process
· describe a scene
· reflect on an idea
· express thoughts or feelings
· inform
· persuade
· entertain
Diane Ackerman wrote her essay primarily to explain why leaves turn color in the fall, but she also describes and reflects.
As you read the essay, determine Ackerman’s main purpose in each paragraph: to explain a process, to describe a scene, or
to reflect on an idea.
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Ackerman uses at least three patterns of organization:
· cause and effect, to explain a process; see the back for an example of a cause and effect chain.
· comparison and contrast, to show likenesses and differences
· main idea and supporting details, to present insights
As you read the essay, look for these patterns of organization.
Here is an example of cause-and-effect:
F cause-and-effect organization -- an event is presented with its causes, effects, or both
When a meteoroid falls into the earth’s atmosphere, it burns up, and a trail of light appears as a shooting star.
Cause-and-effect Chain
When a meteoroid falls into the earth’s atmosphereê
it burns upê
a trail of light appears as a shooting star“Why Leaves Turn Color in the Fall” page 540
1. A. What seems to be Ackerman’s purpose in lines 1--9? Support your answer with specific details.
B. What is the pattern of organization in the first paragraph?
2. What is the author’s purpose in lines 14—21?
3. Complete this cause-and-effect chain to show why leaves fall.
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ê
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4. Use lines 25—33 to complete the cause-and-effect chain showing the process of leaves changing color.
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5. What pattern of organization is used in lines 34—43?
6. What pattern of organization is used in lines 48—58?
7. What is the author’s purpose in lines 65—71?
8. What is the author’s purpose in the last paragraph on page 544?
How is her purpose supported by her diction and use of imagery?