Point of View in Informational Texts

What’s Your Point? In informational texts, the point of view is the author’s. But the author may have one of several reasons for writing. The author’s purpose will be reflected in her point of view. Two people writing about the same event or topic may have entirely different purposes and different points of view.

Purpose 1: Think of an article in a magazine about food and cooking. The author of this article is probably writing to inform or explain. To describe in detail to make something more clear

Purpose 2: Now think of a review of a new restaurant on a food website. The author thinks it’s wonderful and is recommending that people eat there. Suppose you saw an ad for that restaurant in a newspaper. The reviewer and the advertiser are both writing to persuade. To convince someone to do something

Purpose 3: Imagine that you’ve just eaten at the restaurant. You tell your friend about the delicious pizza you had there. You’re writing to describe. What about a recipe that describes how to make pizza? The author of that selection is writing to give instructions. To give steps that must be followed

What does this mean? When you read informational texts, pay attention to the author’s purpose for writing when evaluating her point of view.

Your Task: Circle and label the title. Underline and label the author. Read the article. Answer the questions that are provided on your worksheet.

Let’s Summarize Today’s Lesson: Identify the following: 3 reasons an author writes an article 2 ways that you can identify the author’s purpose 1 sentence to summarize the lesson