10

ENGLISH
Quarter 1 – Module 6
Evaluating Text Content
MELC 6: Evaluate text content, elements, features and properties using a
set of criteria
 What I Need to Know
How would you like to peer into the mind of your favorite author so you would know
his reason for writing the story?
This module was designed to help you understand the purpose of the author in
writing as well as to help you evaluate a written text. It was derived from:
MELC 6: Evaluate text content, elements, features and properties using a set of
criteria.
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. determine the author's purpose in writing the text;
2. identify the elements and features of a short story; and
3.critique a written text based on the elements of a short story.

What I Know
Before you begin this week’s journey, try first to answer the following questions below.
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer and write it on a separate sheet
of paper. You may take note of the items that you didn’t answer correctly and gradually
discover the correct answer as you go through this module.

1. The person who writes a novel, a poem, or an essay is called ______.

a. an author
b. an essayist
c. a lyricist
d. a poet
2. To relate a story or to recount events, an author uses_______ writing.
a. descriptive
b. expository
c. narrative
d. persuasive
3. To tell what something looks like, sounds like, or feels like, the author
uses______ writing.
a. expository
b. descriptive
c. narrative
d. persuasive
4. It is the angle by which the story is told.
a. Plot
b. Point of view
c. setting
d. theme

English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 2 of 12

 5. It is the sequence of events in the story.
a. plot
b. point of view
c. setting
d. theme

What’s In
Have you ever bought something without thinking ahead of its use? That rarely
happens right? Because before you buy anything you have a purpose in your mind for
buying it.
The same is true in writing. An author’s purpose is his reason for or intent in
writing.
An author’s purpose is revealed in the way he writes about a topic. For instance,
if his purpose is to amuse, he will use jokes or anecdotes in his writing.
Determining the author’s purpose and the point of view of a text can help you
deepen your understanding of what you have read. It will also help you read with a
critical lens. This is a lifelong skill which you need when reading and analyzing a text.

What’s New
More than simply reading, evaluating text is an important skill for you as a
student. It is needed during and after reading to help you make generalizations about
the purpose of the author in writing.

In this lesson you will get to learn the different purposes of an author in writing.
These will help you remember what you have read as well as help you better
understand a reading text.

Knowing why an author wrote a text is the key in knowing what to remember on
what you have read, or what was in the last page of what you are currently reading.
It’s a sort of like setting a purpose for comprehension.

After familiarizing yourself with the different purposes of authors in writing, expect
that you will be asked to make a critical analysis of a reading text, a short story that
you have read.

Now, it’s time to begin a new journey. Have fun and enjoy the activities set for
you!

English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 3 of 12

Activity 1. Upon One’s Thoughts
Directions: Read the paragraph below then answer the question that follows

Once upon a time, an arrogant prince was cursed to live as a terrifying beast
until he finds true love. Strangely, his chance came when he captured an unwary
clockmaker, whose place was then taken by his bold and beautiful daughter Belle.
Helped by the Beast's similarly enchanted servants, including a talking clock and
teapot, Belle begins to see the sensitive soul behind the fearsome facade. But as time
runs out, it soon becomes obvious that Belle's cocky suitor Gaston is the real beast.

Question: Why do you think did the author create this?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What Is It?
The author wrote the “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale with a definite reason in
his mind, right? Just as when you write about anything, you are thinking about the
audience or the person who will read what you have written.
So, what is common among all writings? I bet you will agree if I tell you that all
writings have purposes.
To find out what these different purposes are, please continue reading.
1. To Persuade
When a text is written to persuade it aims to convince you about a specific point of
view. With this type of writing, the author will attempt to convince you to agree with
his ideas and/or subsequently encourage you to take a particular course of action.
Examples
This purpose can be found most commonly as the motivation behind persuasive
essays, advertisements we see in television so that you will be convinced to buy the
products shown, and the political writing such as campaign speeches and
propaganda that we read or listen to.
How to identify: When the author’s purpose is to persuade, you should ask yourself
if you feel like the writer is trying to get you to believe something or take a specific
action.
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 4 of 12
2. To Inform
When an author’s purpose is to inform, he usually wishes to enlighten you about a
real-world topic. Often, the writer does this by providing lots of facts with the
purpose of educating you on a given topic
Examples
The books you use in school are written with the purpose of informing you about
your different subjects. Added to textbooks, are the encyclopedias, recipe books,
newspapers and reading materials that contain much needed information.
How to identify: When the author’s purpose is to inform, you can see that he makes
use of facts and cites references in his writing.

3. To Entertain
When an author’s chief purpose is to entertain you, he makes sure to keep things
as interesting as possible. It’s like, showing you the things that “happen” in the
pages of the book. These things were written to entertain or amuse you whether in
the form of an action-packed plot, inventive characterizations, or sharp dialogue.
Examples
You can find entertaining examples in science fiction articles, romance in your
“wattpads” and fantasy in e-books, to name a few.
How to identify: When a writer attempts to entertain or amuse you, he uses a variety
of techniques to get your attention. He or she may employ cliffhangers at the end of
a chapter, for example. Or may weave humor into the story, or even make the
characters tell jokes. In the case of a thriller, an action-packed scene may follow as
the drama builds up. Think of the melodrama of a Filipino TV drama series or soap
opera or the recent K-drama you have recently watched. Have you noticed the
deliberate twists that made the story more exciting? It’s looks like it is trying to hook
you so that you want to continue watching or reading about it, right?
4. To Explain
When writers write to explain, they want to tell you the reason for the occurrence of
something or how to do something or show you how something works. This type of
writing is about communicating a method or a process.
Examples
Writing with the purpose of explaining can be found in instructions, like manual for
your latest phone or any gadget, step-by-step guides, procedural outlines, and
recipes
How to identify: Often, you find this type of writing organized into bulleted or
numbered points. As it focuses on telling you how to do something, often lots of
imperatives will be used within the writing. Diagrams and illustrations are also often
used to reinforce the text explanations.
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 5 of 12
5. To Describe
Often writers will use words to describe something in details than through a picture
alone. After all, they say ‘a picture paints a thousand words’, and text can help get
you beyond the one-dimensional appearance of things.
Examples
You can find lots of descriptive writing in short stories, novels and other forms of
fiction where the writer wishes to paint a picture in the reader’s imagination. You
can also find lots of writing with the purpose of description in nonfiction too - in
product descriptions or descriptive essays, for example.
How to identify: In the case of fiction writing which describes, you will notice the
writer using lots of sensory details in the text. Do you remember your teacher telling
you about sensory images? Our five senses are used to perceive the world and, to
describe the imaginary world, writers draw heavily on language that appeals to these
senses.
Just to remind you, at the end of this module, you will be asked to critique a story you
have viewed/ read.
Now, study the guide questions below on how you are going to critique or evaluate a
written text based on the story elements which you have learned from previous
modules.
Critiquing a story is not summarizing but rather it is the act of analyzing and
evaluating the work of the author based on specific criteria. Study the sample guide
questions provided for you in the following:
1. Plot- It is the sequence of events in the story or play.
• What are the important sentences or dialogues that support the action in the
plot?
•Is the conflict more of external/internal?
2. Character- It refers to persons or animals that perform the actions in the story.
•Is it the main character clearly described?
3. Setting - It is the place or time of the events in the story.
•Which words clearly suggest the time and place of the action?
•Can you imagine the world through the details given in the story?
4. Theme- It is the message that the author is trying to convey.
• Is the message of the story clearly stated?
5. Point of View-It is the perspective from which the story is told.
•How was the story told? (first-person point of view, third-person
point of view or omniscient point of view)
• Is the narrator effective in telling the story?
What’s More
Now that you’re equipped with the key concepts needed in this lesson, you can try
doing the following task:
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 6 of 12
Activity 2. Guess what?
Read the descriptions of each item and determine the author’s purpose in writing it (to
entertain, persuade, or inform).
Example:
An article where the author argues that an IPOD music player is better than an Itune.
Author’s Purpose: to persuade

1. A story written about a young boy who moves to a new school and is bullied,
but he gains self-confidence by joining a sports team and learns to stand up
for himself.
Author’s Purpose:________________________________________________
2. A medical report describing the effectiveness of vitamin C and zinc in the
human body.
Author’s Purpose:_________________________________________________
3. An instructional booklet describing how to operate an android phone.
Author’s Purpose:________________________________________________
4. A poem about why the IPOD is the greatest consumer electronic device ever
made.
Author’s Purpose:________________________________________________
5. A booklet containing the school rules and the consequences for violating
those rules.
Author’s Purpose:_______________________________________________

What I Have Learned

Activity 3 Directions: Read each paragraph carefully. Then select the answer that
best describes the author’s purpose in writing.
The human sex chromosomes are of the XX-XY pattern. The Y chromosome is
much smaller than the X chromosome. Two types of sperm cells are formed during
gametogenesis; half of these have the X chromosome and the others have the Y
chromosome. Every egg cell has an X chromosome; therefore, fertilization determines
the sex. If a Y sperm cell fertilizes the egg, a male develops.

1. The author’s purpose is to____.

a. explain how the sex of humans is determined.
b. describe chromosomes.
c. tell the steps in fertilization.
d. contrast X and Y chromosomes

Dear Tall, Dark and Handsome —

This is your lucky day! The girl of your dreams is just a phone call away. I am
5’ 10’’, slim, pretty, and only 17. I love pop music, good books, exotic foods, and
enjoyable travels. Give me a ring any day after 6 P.M. You won’t be sorry.
Your gal, Lyra.

2. The author’s purpose is to _____.

a. convince the reader to call the writer.
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 7 of 12
b. describe the writer objectively.
c. criticize the writer’s lack of intelligence.
d. entertain the reader with some interesting facts.

Tofu is a product that is becoming very popular as a low-calorie, cholesterol-

free meat substitute. Formerly it was found exclusively in Oriental markets and health
food stores, but today tofu can be purchased in most supermarket produce
departments. This white, cheese like substance is made from the condensed milk of
soybeans. It is extremely high in protein and low in sodium. Tofu is almost tasteless
by itself, but it can be easily mixed into sauces and soups; it can even be made to
imitate scrambled eggs.

3.The author’s primary purpose is to______.

a. evaluate Oriental cooking.
b. persuade you to eat low-cholesterol foods.
c. describe tofu.
d. to compare tofu with meat.
What I Can Do
Write a critique or analysis about the story How Odin Lost His Eye, or Orpheus. (Or
any other story from your lower years that you are familiar with)

You can use the questions in the second column as your guide in writing the critique.

Title How can you connect the title to

the story?

Meaning What is the meaning or the big

idea embedded in the story?
Literary Elements Can you imagine the world
through the details given in the
story? Are there twists in the
story?

Use of Quotations Describe the traits of the main

character based on his dialogues
in the story.
Is he proud/regretful/sad/happy
person based on his dialogues in
the story?
Evaluation Is there any part of the story that
happens in real life?
Conclusion What have you learned from the
story?
Do the actions of the major
character happen in real life?
How?
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 8 of 12
Assessment
I.Directions: Match the descriptions from the first box to the items on the second
box. Write the corresponding letter on the blank before each number.
___1. A text that tells you how something looks like. a. point of view
___2. A text that convinces you to accept an idea. b. informative
___3. It is the outline of the story. c. descriptive
___4. It is the angle by which the story was told. d. plot
___5. A text where the writer makes use of facts and cites e. persuasive
references in his writing.
II.Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer:
6. The message conveyed in a story is also called the______.
a. conflict b. plot c. setting d. theme
7. The sequence of the events of a story refers to the ______.
b. conflict b. plot c. setting d. theme
8. To convince the reader means the author’s goal is ______.
a.to describe b. to entertain c. to inform d. to persuade
9. When the author describes something using words that appeal to the different
senses, his purpose is ______.
a. to describe b. to entertain c. to inform d. to persuade
10. When the author tells the reason for the occurrence of something, his purpose
is ______.
a.to describe b. to entertain c. to explain d. to persuade
Additional Activity
Directions: Evaluate a short story that you have read recently or one that
you remember from your previous years by filling in the chart
below. You may use another sheet of paper for your answer.

Main Characters Setting

Supporting Characters Title and Name of

Author Problems

Solution

English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 9 of 12

 R E T U R N T H I S W O R K S H E E T T O Y O U R T E A C H E R!
ENGLISH 10- Quarter 1
MODULE 6 WORKSHEET

MELC 6: Evaluate text content, elements, features and properties using a set of criteria.

Name:________________________________Score: ______________________
Grade & Section: _______________________Teacher: ____________________

I. Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer and write it on a

separate sheet of paper.
_ 1. Which element of story are you evaluating in this
question: ’Is the message of the story clearly stated?’
a. character b. setting c. theme d. tone
_____ 2. In an article about how to be a successful student, which question
could best help someone figure out the author’s purpose?
a. Did the author tell about the ways to impress my teacher?
b. Did the author offer tips to me to be a successful student?
c. Did the author tell me the different types of students?
d. Did the author provided me tips to be good-looking?
_____ 3. In evaluating the story’s characters, which question is helpful?
a. Is it the main character clearly described?
b. Is the main character someone I know?
c. Is the main character popular?
d. Is the main character weak?
_____ 4. In evaluating the story’s setting, which question is NOT helpful?
a. Which words clearly suggest the time and place of the
action?
b. Can you imagine the world through the details given in
the story?
c. Is the main character mentioned in the beginning of the
story?
d. Is the place mentioned in the story familiar in real life?
_____ 5. The following are the author’s purpose in writing
except___________.
a. to entertain b. to inform c. to persuade d. to verify

II. Directions: Study the following titles of an article in Column A,

then match each of these titles with the author’s purpose in
column B. Write only the letter of your choice.
A B
___6. How to make a Simple Bookshelf a. to inform
___7. My Favorite Book Writer b.to entertain
___8. 10 Reasons Why You Need to Read Books c. to describe
___9. What it needs to be a Book Writer d. to describe
___10. 10 Funny things about being a Book Writer e. to persuade
English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 10 of 12
References
Almonte,L. R. et al., 2015. Celebrating Diversity Through World Literature.Pasig City:
Department of Education
https://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/authors-purpose-
worksheets/
https://www.literacyideas.com/authors-purpose
www. Ereadingworksheets.com 8/8/2020
Elements of a Short Story [online] [Accessed August 21, 2020]
Short Story https://www.britannica.com/art/short-story
Critiquing Short Story /Critiquing/Elements%20of%20a%20Story.pdf
https://www.montgomery.k12.ky.us/userfiles/1501/Classes/686/shortStorycritique.pdf
English 10, Quarter 1 Module 3
Developed by:
Sheilah Mia Q. Llarenas
Teacher III
Bautista National High School

Answer Key Pangasinan Division II

10.C 5. B
9. A 4. A
8. D 3. D
7. B 2. E
6. D 1. C
Assessment

3. C
2. A
1. A
Activity 3

5.
To inform
4.
To persuade
3.
To inform
2.
To inform
1.
To entertain
Activity 2
What's More
5. D
4. A
3. B
2. C
1. A
What I Know

English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 11 of 12

 English 10- Quarter I, Module 6 page 12 of 12
Answer Key Other Activities
Activity 1. Upon One’s Thoughts
The writer wanted to entertain the reader.
Additional Activity
Since all parts are elements of story already discussed from previous modules, and the
author’s purpose in writing was discussed in this module,
3 points will be given for each part that the student will identify/ fill in the second column of the
table
Eg. Character- Orpheus; Title and Name of Author- Orpheus by Alice Low….
RUBRIC for the What I Can Do/ Additional Activity
Each part shall be given 5 points based on the following:
point 5 3 1
content Had answered the Had deviated Had deviated from
question perfectly partially from answering the
answering the question
question
grammar No error Had 2 errors Had more than 3
errors