Part 3 READING:
LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
3.2 Craft and Structure
Name __________________________________
Identify Author’s Point of View or Purpose
Practice
Read the passages below. In these passages, the authors use loaded language,
choice of facts, and the bandwagon approach to influence readers. For each
passage, determine which technique the author is using, identify what clues
support this, and explain how this technique helps you identify the author’s point
of view or purpose. When you are finished, print the pages.
Passage 1
Identify Author’s Technique:
Signal Words and Other Clues:
How It Helps Determine Author’s Perspective or Purpose:
1
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
The continued existence of the Indiana bat is being threatened. In
1967, these flying mammals were added to the list of endangered species.
Unfortunately, logging in our area has caused the Indiana bat population to
drop by 60% since the 1960s. Although some logging in nearby counties has
been put on hold, everyone knows that the number of bats will continue to
decrease until all logging in the area is stopped.
The only way to save these creatures is to work together to help preserve
their natural habitat. Many groups have already taken steps to help save these
animals. If more people do not step up, the Indiana bat will vanish from the
face of the earth.
Part 3 READING:
LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
3.2 Craft and Structure
Name __________________________________
Passage 2
Growing up, Rosa Parks faced a lot of unkindness. She was born in
1913 and lived in Alabama. At that point in history, the South still had laws
that enforced the cruel practice of segregation. These laws were responsible
for withholding equality from African Americans. The freedoms of African
Americans were repressed and it seemed as though there was nothing anyone
could do.
By the time Rosa Parks was a young woman, she found these disgraceful
laws unfairly enforced on a small section of society. On December 1, 1955,
she refused to give up her seat in the front of a bus in Montgomery for a
white passenger. Her impressive action broke the law and started a court case
that ultimately overturned the unbearable segregation laws. This courageous
woman helped shake up a system desperately in need of reprogramming and
helped to gain equality for everyone.
Identify Author’s Technique:
How It Helps Determine Author’s Perspective or Purpose:
2
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Signal Words and Other Clues:
Part 3 READING:
LITERACY IN HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES
3.2 Craft and Structure
Name __________________________________
Passage 3
Many experts believe that the first Thanksgiving took place in the
Plymouth Colony in 1621.
In the video Journey to Freedom, Robert Nang explains how the Pilgrims
made the long, hard journey to New England in 1620. Mr. Nang shows that
the Pilgrims worked hard in the Plymouth Colony to practice their religion
and make a new life.
Unfortunately, with little food or help, many Pilgrims died that first
winter. The Pilgrims knew that they had to prepare for the next winter. Native
Americans in the area had managed to fish and raise crops, so it could be
done. By the next fall, the Pilgrims managed to reap a great harvest and were
prepared for the winter.
The Pilgrims were thankful for the harvest, and they held a
three-day feast. They invited a Native American named Squanto and some
of his friends to help them celebrate. That feast was probably the first
Thanksgiving.
Signal Words and Other Clues:
How It Helps Determine Author’s Perspective or Purpose:
3
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Identify Author’s Technique: