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Analyze why an author wrote a text and how their point of view shapes the information.
Have you ever noticed how a video game commercial feels completely different from a science textbook? Every writer has a secret goal and a unique way of seeing the world—once you know the signs, you can read between the lines like a detective.
Every time someone writes, they have a reason. We call this the Author's Purpose. To remember the three main types, just think of the word PIE:
1. Persuade: The author wants to convince you to do or believe something (like an ad for a new toy). 2. Inform: The author wants to give you facts and data (like an article about how bees make honey). 3. Entertain: The author wants to tell a story or make you laugh (like a comic book or a mystery novel).
Look at these three short sentences: 1. 'You should definitely buy the Super-Zoom 3000 because it is the fastest camera ever!' (Purpose: Persuade) 2. 'The Super-Zoom 3000 has a 50-megapixel sensor and weighs 2 pounds.' (Purpose: Inform) 3. 'Timmy dropped his Super-Zoom 3000 into the cake, and the lens came out covered in frosting!' (Purpose: Entertain)
Quick Check
If you are reading a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, what is the author's primary purpose?
Answer
To Inform (the author is giving you facts and steps on how to make the cookies).
While the purpose is the 'why,' the perspective is the 'how.' Perspective is the author's point of view or attitude toward a topic. Two people can write about the same thing but have totally different perspectives.
To find the perspective, look for bias or 'loaded words.' If an author calls a rainy day 'gloomy and miserable,' their perspective is negative. If they call it 'refreshing and life-giving,' their perspective is positive. The author's background—their job, where they live, or their hobbies—often shapes this lens. A professional athlete will have a different perspective on a sports game than someone who has never played a sport in their life.
Scenario: A new park is being built in the city.
1. Writer A (A local parent): 'The new park is a wonderful sanctuary where children can finally play safely away from traffic.' 2. Writer B (A business owner): 'The construction of the park is a nuisance that has blocked customer parking for months.'
Notice how the topic is the same, but the perspective changes based on who the writer is!
Quick Check
Which word in this sentence reveals the author's perspective? 'The scientist performed a tedious experiment in the lab.'
Answer
Tedious
An author's background acts like a filter. It includes their experiences, culture, and education. When analyzing a text, ask yourself: 'Who is the author, and what do they know?'
If a marine biologist writes about sharks, they will likely focus on biology and conservation. If a surfer who was once bitten by a shark writes about them, they might focus on fear and safety. Neither is 'wrong,' but their backgrounds create different biases. Understanding this helps you decide if the information is balanced or if the author is only showing you one side of the story.
Imagine reading about a famous battle from two different sources: 1. A letter written by a soldier who was in the middle of the fight. 2. A history textbook written 100 years later by a professor.
Analysis: - The soldier's perspective is personal and emotional (Background: Experience). - The professor's perspective is analytical and broad (Background: Research). - To get the full truth, a smart reader looks at both!
An editorial in a newspaper arguing that the school day should start later is an example of which purpose?
Which of these best describes 'Author's Perspective'?
An author's background, such as their career or where they grew up, has no effect on their writing.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the three parts of the PIE acronym and one 'loaded word' you saw in a text today.
Practice Activity
Find a commercial on TV or YouTube. Identify if the purpose is to Persuade, Inform, or Entertain, and list one way the creator's perspective is shown.