1. Author’s Purpose and Point of View

2. The author’s purpose is their reason for writing.
Authors write for many different reasons but most fall into one of the following categories:
To inform
To entertain
To persuade
To express or describe

3. Some writers write to INFORM
Some writers write to INFORM their readers about a specific topic Characteristics: Has mostly factual information For example: The author of your history text book was writing to INFORM you about historical events.

4. Some writers write to ENTERTAIN
Some writers write to ENTERTAIN their readers Characteristics: Tells a story often using humor or suspense For example: The novel “Holes” was written to ENTERTAIN young adult readers.

5. Some writers write to PERSUADE
Some writers write to PERSUADE their readers to think or act in a certain way Characteristics: Criticisms and arguments for and against something as well as promotions are often used in persuasive passages For example: The advertisement written for Crest toothpaste, was written to persuade the viewer to buy the toothpaste.

6. Some writers write to EXPRESS or DESCRIBE
Some writers write to EXPRESS or DESCRIBE something to their readers Characteristics: Presents a specific point of view or shares personal feelings For example: The Diary of Anne Frank was written to EXPRESS or DESCRIBE Anne Frank’s feelings during the Holocaust.

7. Several factors contribute to author’s purpose
These include the author’s...
Bias
Use of fact/opinion
Tone

8. Author’s Bias Writers write about what they know…
The author’s bias is the author’s outlook or prejudice
Generally, writers support ideas or institutions that benefit them

9. Use of Facts and Opinions
A FACT is a piece of information that can be checked to determine whether they’re true
An OPINION reflects how a person feels about a subject and cannot be proven true or false
An author’s use of facts and opinions can help you determine what their feelings are about a particular subject. This will help you decide the reason or
purpose for their writing

10. The author’s TONE reveals the author’s attitude
Author’s make decisions about the words they use and the tone they create based on how they feel about the subject
Purpose can be determined by deciding how the author wanted the audience to feel about a subject

11. Strategies and Tips
Read the selection carefully to get a general feeling for what the author is saying.
Look for any biases or prejudices the author might have? (Did the author take a particular stand on an issue?)
Determine if the author uses more facts or opinions in the passage
Decide what the tone of the passage is by looking for words that reveal the author’s attitude toward the topic
Finally ask yourself why did the author write this passage?

12. Point of View Point of view is determining who is telling the story
There are two point of views the story may be told from
First person
Third person

13. First Person Point of View
First person point of view occurs when the story is narrated by a character within the story
Look for key words such as I, we and us to identify first person point of view

14. Third Person Point of View
Third person point of view occurs when the story is told by a narrator outside of the story
Look for key words for clues to third person point of view such as they, she, and he
There are two subcategories of third person point of view

15. Third Person Omniscient Point of View
Third Person OMNISCIENT Point of View occurs when the narrator knows each of the character’s thoughts (the narrator is all knowing)

16. Third Person Intimate Point of View
Third Person INTIMATE Point of View occurs when the narrator is closer and more aware of one particular character’s point of view

17. If the point of view is third person point of view:
Strategies and Tips
Always look for key words in the passage which might identify the point of view
If the point of view is third person point of view:
- Decide if the author knows all of the feelings and emotions and actions of all characters or
- If the narrator is more closely aware of the behavior and thoughts of one particular character