Use this Text Type Sort activity to engage students in understanding the different features and purpose of imaginative, informative and persuasive texts.
Text Type Sort Activity – Purpose and Features of Texts
This set of sorting cards is the perfect addition to your reading/writing lessons around the features and purpose of three types of texts – imaginative, informative and persuasive. Included in this download are heading cards featuring the three types of texts along with cards that include a variety of purposes and features of all three text types. Students sort each statement under each of the three heading cards.
Some of the statements include:
- Provides the reader with facts.
- Tries to make me change my mind.
- Includes setting and characters.
The statements have been crafted for younger students to be able to read and understand so that the activity can be done independently or with a small group. Using this sorting activity as an introduction with the whole class is also another way to use this resource.
Why Understanding Text Purpose Matters
Building early awareness of why texts are written helps young learners become confident, thoughtful readers. When students can identify whether a text aims to inform, to entertain, or to persuade, they begin to notice how authors make choices with a purpose in mind.
This understanding supports deeper comprehension, strengthens critical‑thinking skills, and helps students select the right type of text for their needs. Activities like this sorting task give children the language and practice they need to recognise the author’s purpose in a clear, age‑appropriate way.
Download and Introduce Students to Author’s Purpose Today!
Use the dropdown menu and explore the author’s purpose today – this resource is available to download as an easy to print PDF or an editable Google Slide resource.
This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter collaborator.
More Author’s Purpose Resources
Looking for more Author’s Purpose resources? We’ve got you covered…
Use this Author’s Purpose cut and paste worksheet set with your students to engage them in understanding the purpose behind different texts. Use this Author's Purpose PowerPoint to teach your students how to identify the author’s purpose in a text. Display this set of Author’s Purpose Pie posters to help students remember the various reasons authors write.
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Author’s Purpose Cut and Paste Worksheet Set
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