Author's purpose and craft is the fifth strand in the revised reading language
arts TEKS. This strand requires a student to think like an author to understand
and create text. Author's purpose refers to a main goal in a piece of writing,
such as writing to explain, writing to entertain, or writing to express an opinion.
For example, students will learn that authors often structure texts
intentionally in order to accomplish specific purposes. This understanding
will aid students in comprehension of texts as well as in the creation of text.
Author's craft refers to the choices an author makes in developing the text.
Author's craft focuses on the techniques and devices applied by the author in the
text such as imagery, structure, or point of view. It's important to note that this
strand does not simply focus on the identification of author's techniques, but
also the analysis of why and how these techniques and devices are used to
accomplish a specific goal. Students will learn to understand and analyze author's
craft to draw conclusions about the reasons for the author's approach. In the
author's purpose and craft strand, students will experience the connections
between the reading and writing processes. Students experience these
connections through the analysis and application of various literary
techniques and devices. As they examine various elements of author's craft, such
as figurative language or point of view, students will also apply these
techniques to their own writing. Through the analysis of author's purpose,
students learn how an author's message is tightly aligned to the purpose for
writing as well as the audience to or for whom the piece is written.
Students engage in this analysis through listening to and reading texts and
responding to texts. Students also produce texts in speaking and writing,
using these concepts to elevate the quality of the end product. The study of
author's purpose and craft is key in helping students think critically
about what they read and aiding students to become quality writers. Be sure to
review the assessment section below for exemplar assessment items that are
aligned to each student expectation in the author's purpose and craft strand.