Evaluate author's message
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Learning Objectives
- 1Identify the central message an author is trying to share
- 2Use words, tone, and examples in the text to uncover that message
- 3Decide whether you agree or disagree with the message
- 4Support your response with at least two pieces of evidence from the text
Mini Lesson
Every passage has more than just facts and characters — it carries a MESSAGE. The message is the big idea the author wants you to walk away with: "kindness matters," "the planet needs our help," "do not give up too soon." A strong reader does not just remember what happened. A strong reader asks, "What is the author trying to tell me, and do I agree?"
Three clues to the author’s message
- Words — strong, repeated, or unusual words point straight at what the author cares about.
- Tone — is the writing warm, urgent, angry, hopeful? Tone tells you how the author feels about the topic.
- Examples — the stories, facts, and pictures the author chose all push the reader toward one big idea.
Four steps to evaluate the message
- Read the passage twice — once for the story, once for the meaning.
- Underline the words, sentences, or examples that feel important.
- Ask: "What is the author trying to tell me about this topic?" and write the message in one sentence.
- Decide whether you AGREE or DISAGREE — then back your view with at least two pieces of text evidence.
Do not confuse the message with the SUMMARY. A summary tells what happened. A message tells what the author wants you to BELIEVE about what happened.
A strong message is a complete sentence, not a single word. "Pollution" is a topic; "Small daily choices can cut pollution" is a message.
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