1. Author’s Purpose and Perspective
How does their purpose and perspective affect the meaning?

2. What is author’s purpose?
It is the reason for writing the selection.
If you can recognize the text structure, figuring out the author’s purpose or perspective becomes easier.
Inform
Give information about a subject
The author will provide facts that will explain or teach something to readers.
Persuade
Convince the reader to agree with the author’s point of view
The author may give facts, but their main goal is to argue or prove a point.
Entertain
Amuse and delight; to appeal to the reader’s senses and imagination
The author will entertain in various ways, through fiction and nonfiction.

3. Determining Author’s Purpose
Once you know the type of text structure, then consider the type of writing.
Type of Writing
Author’s Purpose
Narrative
To tell a story
Descriptive
To illustrate a person, event, or place; to convey a mood
Expository
To explain, illustrate, or present information
Persuasive
To express an opinion and convince readers to think, feel, or act a certain way

4. Using the Title
The title of a passage can help you predict the main idea and the author’s purpose.
Example
Title: Scuba Diving Basics
Purpose: Explain what people need to know to go scuba diving.

5. What is the author’s perspective?
It’s their point of view!
This is the author’s position on a subject and how their point of view is expressed.
Type of Writing
Elements of Perspective
Fiction
The author may use characters or a narrator to express the author’s attitude.
Non-fiction
The author’s perspective is primarily neutral. Informative writing is used to explain, describe, or instruct.
Persuasive
The point of view clearly reflects the author’s attitude about a subject.

6. Example:
Passage: Volunteer work obviously helps the people or the cause that you are working to help. But you may find that the many rewards of volunteer work (for example, a sense of achievement, a feeling of community, to mention a few), benefit you as much as those you intend to help. Author’s Perspective: The author believes that volunteer work is good for the volunteers themselves, not just for the people being helped. Now try the next 2 on your own!

7. Directions: Read the following excerpt
Directions: Read the following excerpt. How would you summarize the author’s perspective?
Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson was born in September 1981 in Chicago, Illinois. She first appeared in the public eye in 2004 as a contestant on the FOX reality show American Idol. In 2007, she won an Oscar for her role in the movie Dreamgirls. Author’s Perspective: The author is remaining neutral by only giving us information about Jennifer Hudson.

8. Directions: Read the following excerpt
Directions: Read the following excerpt. How would you summarize the author’s perspective?
The Montana air, so clean and cold it almost hurt to breathe it in, was completely unlike the humid, oppressive air of central Texas. And quiet…so quiet. Even the birds seemed hushed by the unspeakable beauty of the snow-laden mountains. The only sound was the murmur of the wind through the pine trees. Author’s Perspective: The author believes that Montana is remembered for its natural beauty and serenity.