Why does an author write? The answer is as easy as PIE: to persuade, to inform, or to entertain. This worksheet allows each student to take notes on this handy acronym for explaining the motivation behind a piece of writing. The teacher puts the graphic on the smart board, dry erase board, etc. As the teacher goes over each reason, students write out each reason (there's a blank dashed line for each missing letter); in the empty pie piece space, the students explain the idea in their own words. Once completed, students have a handy reference chart to use when analyzing a text. Click here to print. Click for our free ELA Printables.