Unit Plan 26 (Grade 6 ELA): Author’s Purpose and Point of View (Informational)

Focus: Purpose, point of view; how it shapes content and style

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational; Writing—Analysis)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Informational authors make choices—what to include, emphasize, omit, and how to say it. Those choices reveal purpose and point of view, shaping both content (facts, examples) and style (tone, word choice, structure). This week, students will determine an author’s purpose/POV, support claims with textual evidence, and write short analytical responses that explain how the author’s choices guide readers.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Determine an author’s purpose and point of view in an informational text and explain how it is conveyed through choices in content and style (RI.6.6).
2. Cite textual evidence—quotes and accurate paraphrases—to support analysis and inferences (RI.6.1).
3. Draw evidence from informational texts to write a clear analytical paragraph/mini-essay (claim → evidence → reasoning) (W.6.9b).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6

• Reading Informational 6.6 (RI.6.6): Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
• Reading Informational 6.1 (RI.6.1): Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
• Writing 6.9b (W.6.9b): Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can state the author’s purpose and point of view clearly.
• I can prove my claim with specific lines or paraphrases.
• I can explain how word choice, tone, and selected facts support the author’s purpose.
• I can write a short analysis that is organized, evidence-based, and precise.