Lesson 4: Analyzing Subject Matter and Author’s Purpose

🟦 Introduction

Hello insightful reader! 👋
When you read a story, have you ever asked yourself, “Why did the author write this?”
Is it just to entertain you, or are they trying to teach, persuade, or warn you about something?

Every good writer has a purpose — a reason behind the words.
In this lesson, we’ll explore two important ideas:

• Subject matter — what the story is mainly about.

• Author’s purpose — why the writer wrote it.

You’ll learn how to spot both easily, which will make you an even sharper reader (and a better writer too)!

Let’s begin! ✍️

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. What is Subject Matter?

• Subject matter is simply what the text is about — the main topic or issue the writer focuses on.

• It answers the question:
  “What is the story mainly talking about?”

Examples of Subject Matter:

2. What is Author’s Purpose?

• Author’s purpose is why the author wrote the text.

• It answers the question:
  “What did the author want to do by writing this?”

Main Types of Author’s Purpose:

3. How to Tell the Author’s Purpose

Ask yourself:

• Is the text mainly giving facts? (Inform)

• Is it trying to make me laugh, feel scared, or enjoy? (Entertain)

• Is it asking me to believe or do something? (Persuade)

• Is it showing deep feelings or emotions? (Express Feelings)

Tip:
Sometimes, a story can have more than one purpose — but one is usually the strongest.

4. Subject Matter vs Theme (Important Difference!)

🟨 Step-by-Step Walkthroughs

Walkthrough 1: Finding the Subject Matter

Story:
“Kwame’s family had little money. Still, they worked hard, stayed together, and helped each other through tough times.”

Step 1: What is the story mainly talking about?

• Family working hard and supporting each other.

Answer:
Subject Matter → Family struggles and teamwork.

Walkthrough 2: Finding the Author’s Purpose

Same Story:
“Kwame’s family had little money. Still, they worked hard, stayed together, and helped each other through tough times.”

Step 1: Why do you think the author wrote this?

• To show that unity and hard work can overcome hardship.

Answer:
Author’s Purpose → To inspire readers to value family unity and hard work.

🟨 Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Subject Matter

Choose the best subject matter for each story:

1. A poem describing a sunset over the ocean.

2. A story about a boy learning honesty the hard way.

3. A newspaper article about a new hospital being built.

Answers:

1. Nature’s beauty

2. Importance of honesty

3. Health and community development

Exercise 2: Author’s Purpose Practice

Read the short texts and choose the author’s purpose:

Text A:
“Laughter is good for health. Studies show that people who laugh more live longer and feel less stress.”

Text B:
“Yesterday was the best day of my life. The rain smelled sweet, and I danced under the stormy skies!”

Text C:
“Every citizen must help clean up our environment. It’s our duty to protect the planet for future generations!”

Questions:

• Text A → Inform, Entertain, or Persuade?

• Text B → Inform, Express Feelings, or Persuade?

• Text C → Inform, Entertain, or Persuade?

Answers:

• Text A → Inform

• Text B → Express Feelings

• Text C → Persuade

Exercise 3: Table Sorting Exercise

Sort these into Subject Matter and Author’s Purpose:

Exercise 4: Mini Writing Task

Write a short story (4–6 lines) about:

• A student winning a race,

• A family moving to a new town,

• A bird learning to fly.

Then:

• Identify the Subject Matter.

• Identify the Author’s Purpose.

🔁 Recap

Today you learned:

• Subject matter is what the story is mainly about.

• Author’s purpose is the reason the story was written: to inform, entertain, persuade, or express feelings.

• You can find subject matter by focusing on the topic, and find purpose by asking, “What does the writer want me to feel, think, or do?”

• Subject matter and theme are different but connected.

🪞 Reflection Prompt

Think about your favorite story, folktale, or movie.

• What is its subject matter?

• What do you think was the author’s or filmmaker’s main purpose?

Write a short paragraph explaining both!