One way to determine the author's purpose is to divide the students into small groups and ask them to create an idea web. The students will decide on a main theme, which will be written in the center of the page. From there, students will draw lines extending out from the middle of the page. For each line drawn, the students must come up an idea (or proof) about the author's purpose and be able to defend the idea, when asked about it. The groups will present their idea webs for the class and will be evaluated by the teacher.
After reading an author's work, the class will be divided into small groups. Each group will work over a span of three or four class periods to complete a collaborative book review. The book review will consist of a short critique, a piece of artwork about the book and a one-page explanation about the author's purpose. Each group will present their book review in front of the teacher and will receive a grade.
In order for students to really understand the author's point of view and purpose, they can become an authors themselves. Each student will write an article. The article will be two pages in length and she should choose her own topic. She should also connect her own author's purpose page to the end of the work, which will touch on her experience writing the story.
A fun whole-group activity is to hold a book discussion. Have each child read the same story for homework and give them several days to finish it. Have them complete a series of questions about the book. On the day of the review, allow them to bring the book, a blanket to sit on and a snack to the discussion. Ask the children to sit in a large circle. Lead the discussion of the book and allow children to share their experience in reading the book while touching upon the author's purpose.