Author’s Purpose & Point of View

What are our learning goals? To understand and identify the different purposes of texts. To understand how the author’s point of view affects the text. To learn about bias and how it can play a critical role in an author’s writing. Image: http://www.rdasys.com/images/BD05371_.gif

What is the purpose? Did you know that everything you read has a purpose? When an author writes something (book, magazine, textbook, newspaper article), he/she chooses his/her words for a purpose.

What is the purpose? The author’s purpose is the main reason that he/she has for writing the selection. The author’s purpose will be to: Entertain Inform Persuade Image: fcit.usf.edu/fcat/strategies/i/24055.gif

What is the author’s point of view? When an author writes to entertain, persuade, or inform. He/she will have his/her point of view on the subject. Point of view is an author’s opinion about the subject. Image: http://images.dpchallenge.com/images_portfolio/30214/orig/Copyrighted_Image_Reuse_Prohibited_146904.jpg

How do the author’s purpose & point of view go together? Author’s purpose and point of view go together. The author will want you to see the topic from his/her point of view or through his/her eyes. Image: http://www.capitolchoices.org/images/resources/Book/through_my_eyes_lg.gif For some issues, you will be able to tell if the author is FOR or AGAINST something.

Bias Bias- a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc… are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly. How could an author’s bias affect their writing? Why is it important for you as a reader to be able recognize bias in writing?

Propaganda Propaganda is the “dark side” of bias. Propaganda techniques are designed to change your opinion by manipulating the truth. Some common propaganda techniques are bandwagon and testimonial.

Bandwagon A particular activity or cause that has suddenly become fashionable or popular. Loom Bracelets Wearing Nike socks

Testimonial Using an expert or celebrity to sell or support

I know the purpose! When you are able to recognize the author’s purpose, you will have a better understanding of the selection. Image: http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/71/93/23499371.jpg Also, the purpose will determine how you read a selection.

Can a selection have 2 purposes? Some selections will have two purposes. For example, if the article is about eating healthy, it will try to persuade you to eat your vegetables as well as, inform you about the different types of food groups. Image: http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=82105&rendTypeId=4

Author’s Purpose: Inform If the author’s purpose is to inform, you will learn something from the selection. Information pieces sometime use one or more of the following: Facts Details/Instructions Places Events People Image: http://fcit.usf.edu/FCAT/strategies/ap/overview1.htm

Author’s Purpose: Persuade If the author’s purpose is to persuade, the author will want you to believe his/her position. Persuasive pieces are usually non-fiction. Although there are facts, it contains the author’s opinions. Image: celebrity read poster http://www.accessola2.com/olastore/images/50170707.jpg With persuasive pieces, it is clear on the author’s point of view (if he/she is FOR or AGAINST it).

Author’s Purpose: Entertain If the author’s purpose is to entertain, one goal may be to tell a story or to describe characters, places or events (real or imaginary). Examples of entertaining texts include: plays poems stories jokes or even comic strips.. Image: http://fcit.usf.edu/FCAT/strategies/ap/overview2.htm

Entertain Persuade Inform Is it a story, poem, or drama (script)? Yes No Does the text make arguments? Yes No Does the text give facts? Yes No Start Over Entertain Persuade Inform

Which sentence is an example of non biased language? A. Gavin is thrify. B. Gavin spends very little money. C. Gavin is a cheapskate.

Here are examples of bias that were found in a newspaper about a protest. What does example A make you think? What about example B? A. “A crowd of more than 900 attended the protest.” B. “Fewer than 1,000 showed up to protest.” How could you say this in neutral (unbiased) way?

Testimonial What type of propaganda technique is this an example of? Can you think of other commercials that use the propaganda technique testimonial?

Bandwagon What is type of propaganda technique is this an example of? After the Steelers won the Super bowl, Tosha went to the mall and bought a Steelers sweatshirt. Bandwagon Can you think of other commercials that use the propaganda technique of bandwagon?

Review Informative or expository writing provides factual information about a topic. Persuasive writing expresses an opinion (may use facts to support). All narratives are written to entertain, but so is poetry.

Practice You will be graded on participation and completion, not on accuracy. On a separate sheet of paper, number one through ten. I will describe a piece of writing. You will write the author’s purpose: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

1 The story of a teenage boy learning to understand and live with his father, who is an alcoholic Vietnam war veteran.

2 A list of the 25 richest athletes in the world.

3 An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.

4 An “X-men” comic book.

5 The story about a young girl with low self-esteem learning to love herself.

6 A National Geographic article about the eating and breeding habits of the endangered bald eagle.

7 A website saying that a new shopping mall should not be built because it threatens an endangered bald eagle’s home. The website also lists other reasons why the mall should not be built.

8 A poem about bald eagles.

9 A magazine ad telling you to buy Nike Hyperdunk shoes because you’ll jump higher.

10 A sign saying, “Rest Stop Five Miles Ahead.”

Answers 1. Entertain 2. Inform 3. Persuade 4. Entertain 5. Entertain