Instructions
- Your mission is to become a "Text Detective." You will learn to analyze how and why texts are written.
- Read the Mission Briefing to understand the three main purposes of any text.
- Complete each Evidence File section by following the specific instructions for that task.
- Use the Field Guide for definitions of key terms you'll need to crack the cases.
- If you're ready for a bigger case, attempt the optional Challenge Quest at the end.
- Check your work using the Answer Key at the bottom of the worksheet.
Mission Briefing: The Power of P.I.E.
Every text is created for a reason. As a detective, your first job is to figure out the author's motive, or purpose. Most texts have one of three main goals. An easy way to remember them is with the acronym P.I.E.
- P - To Persuade: The author wants to convince you to believe, do, or buy something. (e.g., advertisements, opinion articles, speeches)
- I - To Inform: The author wants to give you facts, explain something, or teach you how to do something. (e.g., news reports, textbooks, recipes)
- E - To Entertain: The author wants to capture your imagination and provide enjoyment. (e.g., novels, poems, comic strips, movie scripts)
Your mission is to analyze how authors use different structures and language features to achieve their P.I.E. purpose.
Evidence File 1: Matching the Motive
Draw a line to match the text type in Column A with its most likely primary purpose in Column B.
Column A: Text Type
- 1. A recipe for baking a lemon cake
- 2. A poster urging students to recycle
- 3. The first chapter of a fantasy novel
- 4. An encyclopedia entry about the planet Mars
- 5. A movie review arguing that a film is "a must-see"
Column B: Primary Purpose
- A. To Persuade
- B. To Inform
- C. To Entertain
- D. To Persuade
- E. To Inform
Field Guide: Detective's Toolkit
Use these key terms to analyze your evidence.
- Structure: The way a text is built and organized. Look for things like headings, bullet points, numbered steps, short paragraphs, or a story-like sequence (beginning, middle, end).
- Language Features: The specific types of words and sentences the author chooses. Look for things like:
- Formal/Informal Tone: Is the language professional and serious, or casual and friendly?
- Emotive Language: Words chosen to make the reader feel a strong emotion (e.g., "heartbreaking," "revolutionary").
- Factual Language: Sticking to facts, numbers, and statistics without opinion.
- Figurative Language: Creative comparisons like similes and metaphors to create an image.
Evidence File 2: Analyzing the Evidence
Read the three text samples below. For each one, identify its primary purpose (Persuade, Inform, or Entertain), one structural feature, and one language feature it uses to achieve that purpose.
Text Sample A
The new Orbit X-9 headphones are a game-changer. Don't settle for mediocre sound any longer! With our groundbreaking Crystal-Clear audio technology, you'll feel like you're in the room with your favorite artist. Buy now and get 50% off for a limited time. Experience music the way it was meant to be heard!
1. Primary Purpose: __________________________________________________
2. Structural Feature: __________________________________________________
3. Language Feature: __________________________________________________
Text Sample B
To use the device, first ensure it is fully charged. Press and hold the power button located on the top right side for three seconds. A green light will indicate the device is on. Next, connect to a Wi-Fi network by navigating to the Settings menu.
1. Primary Purpose: __________________________________________________
2. Structural Feature: __________________________________________________
3. Language Feature: __________________________________________________
Text Sample C
The ancient oak tree stood on the hill like a silent, lonely guardian. Its branches, twisted and gnarled from a hundred winters, reached for a sky the color of faded denim. A cool breeze whispered through its leaves, telling secrets only the wind could know.
1. Primary Purpose: __________________________________________________
2. Structural Feature: __________________________________________________
3. Language Feature: __________________________________________________
Special Investigation: The Hybrid Text
Sometimes, a text is designed to do more than one job. These are called hybrid texts. For example, a travel blog might inform you about a place while also trying to entertain you with funny stories. A documentary review might inform you about the film's topic but also persuade you to watch it.
Read the hybrid text below and answer the question.
Is the new 'Planet Protectors' video game worth your time?
This game isn't just fun; it's a mission. Players learn real facts about endangered species and the impact of pollution while battling evil smog monsters in stunning, beautifully designed worlds. For every copy sold, the company donates $1 to wildlife conservation. This is more than a game—it's a chance to make a difference. You'll be hooked for hours, and you might just learn something, too.
What are the two main purposes of this video game review?
- To inform and to confuse
- To persuade and to entertain
- To inform and to persuade
- To entertain and to deceive
Challenge Quest (Optional)
Find an example of a hybrid text from your everyday life. It could be from a website, a magazine, a social media post, or even the back of a cereal box. Describe it below and explain which two purposes (Persuade, Inform, Entertain) it combines and how it does it.
Example Text Found: __________________________________________________
How it Combines Two Purposes:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key
Evidence File 1: Matching the Motive
- 1 -> B (or E). To Inform
- 2 -> A (or D). To Persuade
- 3 -> C. To Entertain
- 4 -> E (or B). To Inform
- 5 -> D (or A). To Persuade
Evidence File 2: Analyzing the Evidence
(Note: Answers for structural and language features may vary slightly. The examples below are good responses.)
Text Sample A
- Primary Purpose: To Persuade
- Structural Feature: Short sentences / Ends with a call to action ("Buy now").
- Language Feature: Emotive language ("game-changer," "groundbreaking") / Imperative verbs ("Don't settle," "Buy now").
Text Sample B
- Primary Purpose: To Inform
- Structural Feature: Chronological order / Sequenced steps (uses words like "first," "next").
- Language Feature: Formal tone / Factual and direct language.
Text Sample C
- Primary Purpose: To Entertain
- Structural Feature: Descriptive paragraph / Narrative structure.
- Language Feature: Figurative language (simile: "like a silent, lonely guardian") / Descriptive adjectives ("twisted and gnarled," "faded denim").
Special Investigation: The Hybrid Text
The correct answer is c) To inform and to persuade. (It informs the reader about the game's features and educational content, and it persuades them to buy it by highlighting its fun, beauty, and charitable donation.)
Challenge Quest
(Answers will vary). A good answer would look like this:
Example Text Found: The back of a box of 'Oat Crunch' cereal.
How it Combines Two Purposes: It informs me by providing nutritional facts and listing the vitamins in a chart. It also tries to persuade me to want the cereal by using exciting words like "deliciously crunchy" and showing a picture of a happy, energetic family eating it. It also has a small puzzle on it, which adds a bit of entertainment.