3.10.A
ELA3rd Grade
The Standard
explain the author's purpose and message within a text
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain why an author wrote a text and identify the message the author wants readers to understand. They point to words, details, or events that support their thinking.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students clearly state why the author wrote the text and what idea the author wants readers to understand. They support both answers with a relevant detail from the text.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may name the topic instead of the message, such as saying “dogs” rather than “dogs need responsible care.” They may also choose entertain, inform, or persuade without using details from the text.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short paragraph and ask: “Why did the author write this, and what message should readers take away? Cite one detail that supports your answer.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs three short texts to sort by purpose, then have them underline details that reveal each author’s message.
Read a picture book and ask, “What does the author want us to think, feel, or do after reading?”
Play Purpose Detective by showing brief passages and awarding points for naming the purpose, message, and one supporting clue.
Compare a cereal advertisement with a nutrition label, then discuss each author’s purpose and message about the same product.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.