AUTHOR’S POINT OF VIEW

Ever
y time an author writes,
he
or she has a point of view.

You
could also think of it as a
“rea
son for writing”…
 UNDERSTANDING THE
AUTHOR'S POINT OF VIEW
HELPS YOU COMPREHEND
WHAT YOU ARE READING. 
 WHILE READING A PASSAGE
YOU SHOULD BE ASKING
YOURSELF,
"What was the reason this piece was
written?"
1) TO PERSUADE
2) TO INFORM
3) TO ENTERTAIN
4) TO EXPRESS
 TO SHARE A STORY?

TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING?

TO CONVINCE SOMEONE TO
AGREE WITH YOU?
 AUTHORS HAVE MANY
REASONS WHY THEY WRITE
A PIECE :

Authors write to inform or teach someone about

something. Sometimes authors write for others to enjoy
his or her piece. Often authors' purpose of writing is  to
persuade their audience to do or not do something. Or it
may just be to express his or her feelings.
 TO INFORM:

on-fiction

ncludes facts, details, places, events, or people

he piece may sound like something you could find in a textbook or

an encyclopedia.
 TO ENTERTAIN:

sually fiction

he author is trying to hold your attention pleasantly or agreeably.

ften amusing or funny

 TO PERSUADE:

hen the author wants you to believe in his or her position

sually non-fiction

lthough facts may be included, the author’s opinion is clear. You

can tell if he or she is for or against it.
 TO EXPRESS:

ersonal

ot intended for outside audience

ocused on the author

xamples – diary, journal, personal poetry

 FICTION:

omething invented or imagined;

made-up story
 NON-FICTION

rue, factual information with details

he information can be checked.

READ THE NEXT PAGES AND
DETERMINE THE AUTHOR’S
POINT OF VIEW.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS
TEXT?
se the information to the left to
determine the author’s purpose.

o inform?

o entertain?

o persuade?

o express?
 ??

on-fiction
* add ad**

nformation with details

o inform
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS
TEXT?

********************************

What do you do with aluminum cans? Do you throw

them in the trash, or do you recycle when you are
finished with them? At the rate we are filling our
landfills, we will not have anywhere else to put our
trash!
 WHAT DO YOU DO WITH
ALUMINUM CANS?

hen the author wants you to believe in his or her position

sually non-fiction

lthough facts may be included, the author’s opinion is clear. You can tell if he or
she is for or against it.

o persuade!
 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS
TEXT?
********************************

his was Kathy’s first baby-sitting job. She was so excited, but she was really
nervous. Kathy knew this was a lot of responsibility, but she thought she was
ready. But as soon as Matthew’s parents left, he fell and hit his chin on the
coffee table!
 THIS WAS KATHY’S FIRST
BABY-SITTING JOB…

iction

he author is trying to hold your attention pleasantly or agreeably

o entertain!
 WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF THIS
TEXT?

Dear Diary – Today was such a hard day for me. It was
the first day at my new school. None of the kids were
mean to me, but none were really nice either. I miss my
old friends and my old school. I wish we had never
moved here!
 ??

uthor focused

ery personal

xpressing her feelings

 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE THIS
TEXT?

******************************************************

l Paso Museum of Art Docent Program

Docents are trained volunteers who lead interactive, educational

tours for groups at the Museum. No artistic background is needed -
adults with a love of art and willingness to give a commitment of
time are invited to join the program. Docents are asked to commit
two years to the program, attend all meetings and training sessions,
and conduct a minimum of four tours per month. Museum staff
leads a 7-month training program each spring.
 EL PASO MUSEUM OF ART
DOCENT PROGRAM
he purpose?

on-fiction.

ncludes facts, details, places, events, or people

o inform!
AS YOU READ, BE SURE TO ASK
YOURSELF:

hat was the reason

his piece was written?

AND YOU’LL KNOW:

o inform

o entertain

o persuade

or

o express.