Author’s Purpose,
Point of View, and
Viewpoint
in Non-Fiction
While you watch try to answer the
following questions:
1-What is the author’s purpose of the video?
2-Was there bias present?
3-What point of view was used?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxMJlmmnd5g
Author’s Purpose in Non-Fiction
 Authors always have a purpose, or reason, why they
set out to write a story, poem, etc.
 In non-fiction, author’s typically write to:
1) Inform – give information on a topic
2) Persuade – convince someone to think a certain
way
3) Express thoughts – Explain their thoughts about
something without the intention of persuading others
to agree
To Inform
 If the author’s purpose is to inform, you will learn
something from the selection
 Informative pieces use one or more of the following:
– Facts
– Details or Instructions
– Places
– Events
– People
Examples of informative texts:
– Biography of Barack Obama
– News report about a hurricane
– Encyclopedias
– Essay about killer bees
– Directions on how to put a T.V. stand together.
To Persuade
 If the author’s purpose is to persuade, the
author will want you to believe his or her
position.
 Although persuasive pieces have facts, it
contains the author’s opinions, too
 The author’s viewpoint is clear (if he or she is
FOR or AGAINST something)
Examples of Persuasive Texts:
–
–
–
–
Political speeches
Advertisements
A cover letter for your resume
An essay urging readers to recycle
To Express Thoughts
 If the author’s purpose is to express thoughts,
the author will share a lot of feelings or
opinions about a topic.
 The author’s viewpoint is clear (how he or she
feels about something).
Examples of texts written to express thoughts:
– Journal Entries
– Poems
– Facebook/Twitter
– Blogs
Practice #1
Read the paragraph and determine the
author’s purpose.
Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated fruits.
Hieroglyphics show that Egyptians were
involved in grape and wine production. Also,
the early Romans were known to have
developed many grape varieties.
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #1
Read the paragraph and determine the
author’s purpose.
Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated fruits.
Hieroglyphics show that Egyptians were
involved in grape and wine production. Also,
the early Romans were known to have
developed many grape varieties.
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #2
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s
purpose.
Game night at our house was hilarious when we
played Cranium with two teams of three. Imagine
Dave, the macho bodybuilder, swinging his hips and
singing a medley of Madonna's songs. But the most
memorable was George's Cranium Doodle hint for the
architectural term "flying buttress." It was, well, sidesplittingly outrageous!
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #2
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s
purpose.
Game night at our house was hilarious when we played
Cranium with two teams of three. Imagine Dave, the
macho bodybuilder, swinging his hips and singing a
medley of Madonna's songs. But the most memorable
was George's Cranium Doodle hint for the architectural
term "flying buttress." It was, well, side-splittingly
outrageous!
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #3
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s purpose.
The Surgeon General has reported on the effects smoking
has on the health of adults. Furthermore recent studies
have found that individuals exposed to second-hand
smoke over a period of time also suffer adverse affects to
their health. Parents should avoid exposing their children
to cigarette smoke and should educate their children on
the affects smoking can have on health.
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #3
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s purpose.
The Surgeon General has reported on the effects smoking
has on the health of adults. Furthermore recent studies
have found that individuals exposed to second-hand
smoke over a period of time also suffer adverse affects to
their health. Parents should avoid exposing their children
to cigarette smoke and should educate their children on
the affects smoking can have on health.
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #4
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s purpose.
Excerpt from-Anne Frank’s Diary
July 15, 1944
"It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd
and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of
everything, that people are truly good at heart.
It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos,
suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a
wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy
us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the
sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this
cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more"
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Practice #4
Read the paragraph and determine the author’s purpose.
Excerpt from-Anne Frank’s Diary
July 15, 1944
"It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd
and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of
everything, that people are truly good at heart.
It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos,
suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a
wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy
us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the
sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this
cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more"
a. To inform
b. To persuade
c. To entertain
d. To express thoughts
Multiple Purposes in Non-Fiction
 Some selections will
have two purposes.
 For example, if an 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.
POINT OF VIEW in Non- Fiction
 First Person
– Used in autobiographies or journal entries
– Often found when authors write to express
thoughts
 Second Person
– Used in advertisements or directions
– Often found in persuasive writing
 Third Person Objective
– Often found in newspaper articles
– Used in informative writing
First Person POINT OF VIEW
 Definition:
– The AUTHOR is the narrator.
– Uses key words such as: “I” and “My”
 Purpose:
• To express thoughts
• To tell a personal story
First PERSON POINT OF VIEW
 Example:
– Autobiographies are written in 1st person Point of
View
My name is Michael Smith and I was born on the 30th
of August, 1967 in Long Beach, California. My parents
were Eddie Smith and Joan Smith. Both of my parents
are deceased. My mom died at the age of 57 in 1994
from lung cancer .My father died at the age of 69 in
2006 from a massive heart attack.
Practice:
– Think of a large event in your life. Write 3
sentences about that event that you could
include in your autobiography.
SECOND PERSON
POINT OF VIEW
 Definition:
– The AUTHOR is the narrator.
– Uses key words such as: “YOU” and “YOUR”
 Sometimes this is implied – ex: “Open the door”
– Least common point of view used
 Purpose:
• To give directions
• To persuade a person
THIRD PERSON OBJECTIVE
POINT OF VIEW
• Definition:
• The AUTHOR is the narrator.
• Uses key words such as: “HE”, “SHE”,
“THEY”, or “PEOPLE’S NAMES.”
• Includes facts and details in an unbiased
manner.
• Purpose:
• Readers can get a better perspective about
an event or person.
•
Third Person Objective
Point
of
View
Example:
• Egypt has put the famed golden burial mask of King
Tutankhamun back on display at the Egyptian Museum in
Cairo. The relic was repaired following a failed attempt to
reattach the mask's beard with epoxy. In August 2014, the
beard was accidentally knocked off during work on the
relic's lightening. Afterwards, workers hastily tried to
reattach it with epoxy. That caused damage to the priceless
artifact. It stirred an uproar among archaeologists. A
German-Egyptian team began restoration work on the mask
in October. Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty
said the reattachment came after studies explored the best
materials to use for the work.
Practice:
• Highlight two more pieces of text evidence that show third
person objective point of view (no opinions!)
•
Third Person Objective
Point
of
View
Example:
• Egypt has put the famed golden burial mask of King
Tutankhamun back on display at the Egyptian Museum in
Cairo. The relic was repaired following a failed attempt to
reattach the mask's beard with epoxy. In August 2014, the
beard was accidentally knocked off during work on the
relic's lightening. Afterwards, workers hastily tried to
reattach it with epoxy. That caused damage to the priceless
artifact. It stirred an uproar among archaeologists. A
German-Egyptian team began restoration work on the mask
in October. Egypt's Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el-Damaty
said the reattachment came after studies explored the best
materials to use for the work.
Author’s Viewpoint in Non-Fiction
 Definition:
– The author’s opinion about the subject
– When an author favors one side of an
issue, they have bias in favor of that issue
– The authors tone helps to show how the
author feels about the topic
Viewpoint can be:
– Positive (Uplifting, reflexive, optimist, enthusiastic)
– Negative (Cynical, pessimistic, angry, disappointed)
– Neutral (Unbiased)
Author’s Viewpoint in Non-Fiction
 Purpose:
– The reader can tell if an author is biased
FOR or AGAINST something or if they have
no opinion.
 As you read, ask yourself WHY the author
wrote the piece (What is his or her purpose?)
 Look for clues to help understand how the
author is feeling and what their viewpoint is.
Compare your feelings and point of view with
the author’s. Do you feel the same or
differently?
Author’s Viewpoint in Non-Fiction
• Example:
• In the example below, we can see that the author is
in favor of organ donation. Text highlighted in pink
supports the author’s viewpoint.
• Currently, in the United States, 114,827 people are
on a wait list, waiting for an organ. Everyday, 18
people die waiting for an organ. Furthermore, just
donating 1 organ can save 8 lives.[Organs can
survive for a very long time after death, allowing for
time for the organ to be transported and the person
receiving the organ to be contacted.
• Practice:
• Write 3 sentences that clearly demonstrates
your viewpoint on having longer passing periods.
Author’s Viewpoint in Non-Fiction
 Practice
– Read the following text and determine the following:
 What point of view is it written in?
 What is the author’s purpose for writing this article?
 What is the author’s viewpoint on hip-hop music?
– Hip-hop has taken over the music industry in the same
way the Williams sisters have taken over tennis. Look at
the way the hip-hop culture is used to sell soda, candy,
and clothes to young people. To see hip-hop as simply
rap is to not understand the impact and influence of a
greater movement. Rap music is just one element of hiphop. In fact, true hip-hop heads understand that hip-hop
isn’t just about music. It’s a culture, a way of life, a
language, a fashion, a set of values, and a unique
perspective.
Author’s Viewpoint in Non-Fiction
 What point of view is it written in?
– Third person objective
 What is the author’s purpose for
writing this article?
– To inform the reader on Hip Hop music
 What is the author’s viewpoint on
hip-hop music?
– In favor of Hip Hop Music and the idea
that it is more than just music, it is a
way of life.