The Author’s Purpose and Point of View

If a text is designed to share knowledge, its purpose is to inform. Informational texts include technical documents, cookbooks, expository essays, journalistic newspaper articles, and many nonfiction books. Informational texts are based on facts and logic, and they usually attempt an objective tone. The style may otherwise vary; some informational texts are quite dry, whereas others have an engaging style.

If a text argues a point, its purpose is to persuade. A persuasive text attempts to convince a reader to believe a certain point of view or take a certain action. Persuasive texts include op-ed newspaper articles, book and movie reviews, project proposals, and argumentative essays. Key signs of persuasive texts include judgments, words like should, and other signs that the author is sharing opinions.

If a text is primarily for fun, its purpose is to entertain. Entertaining texts usually tell stories or present descriptions. Entertaining texts include novels, short stories, memoirs, and some poems. Virtually all stories are lumped into this category, even if they describe unpleasant experiences.

A text can have more than one purpose. For example, many traditional children’s stories come with morals or lessons. These are meant both to entertain children and persuade them to behave in ways society considers appropriate. Also, commercial nonfiction texts like popular science books are often written in an engaging or humorous style. The purpose of such a text is to inform while also entertaining the reader.

Point of View

Every author has a general outlook or set of opinions about the subject. These make up the author’s point of view.

To determine point of view, a reader must recognize implicit clues in the text and use them to develop educated guesses about the author’s worldview. In persuasive texts, the biggest clue is the author’s explicit argument. From considering this argument, a reader can usually make some inferences about point of view. For instance, if an author argues that parents should offer kids opportunities to exercise throughout the day, it would be reasonable to infer that the author has an overall interest in children’s health, and that he or she is troubled by the idea of kids pursuing sedentary behaviors like TV watching.

It is more challenging to determine point of view in a text meant to inform. Because the writer does not present an explicit argument, readers must examine assumptions and word choice to determine the writer’s point of view.

Example: Models suggest that at the current rate of global warming, hurricanes in 2100 will move 9 percent slower and drop 24 percent more rain. Longer storm durations and rainfall rates will likely translate to increased economic damage and human suffering.

It is reasonable to infer that the writer of this passage has a general trust for science and scientists. This writer assumes that global warming is happening, so it is clear he or she is not a global warming denier. Although the writer does not suggest a plan to prevent future storm damage, the emphasis on negative effects and the use of negative words like “damage” and “suffering” suggest that the author is worried about global warming.

Texts meant to entertain also contain clues about the author’s point of view. That point of view is usually evident from the themes and deeper meanings. For instance, a memoirist who writes an upbeat story about a troubled but loving family is likely to believe strongly in the power of love. Note, however, that in this type of work, it is not possible to determine point of view merely from one character’s words or actions. For instance, if a character says, “Your mother’s love doesn’t matter much if she can’t take care of you,” the reader should not automatically assume the writer agrees with that statement. Narrative writers often present a wide range of characters with varying outlooks on life. A reader can only determine the author’s point of view by considering the work as a whole. The attitudes that are most emphasized and the ones that win out in the end are likely to reflect the author’s point of view.

Rhetorical Strategies

Rhetorical strategies are the techniques an author uses to support an argument or develop a main idea. Effective readers need to study the language of a text and determine how the author is supporting his or her points.

One strategy is to appeal to the reader’s reason. This is the foundation of effective writing, and it simply means that the writer relies on factual information and the logical conclusions that follow from it. Even persuasive writing uses this strategy by presenting facts and reasons to back up the author’s opinions.

Ineffective: Everyone knows Sandra and the Lumps is the best band of the new millennium.

Effective: The three most recent albums by Sandra and the Lumps are the first, second, and third most popular records released since the turn of the millennium.

Another strategy is to establish trust. A writer can do this by choosing credible sources and by presenting ideas in a clear and professional way. In persuasive writing, writers may show they are trustworthy by openly acknowledging that some people hold contradicting opinions and by responding fairly to those positions. Writers should never attack or misrepresent their opponents’ position.

Ineffective: People who refuse to recycle are too lazy to protect their children’s future.

Effective: According to the annual Throw It Out Questionnaire, many people dislike the onerous task of sorting garbage, and some doubt that their effort brings any real gain.

A final strategy is to appeal to the reader’s emotions. For instance, a journalist reporting on the opioid epidemic could include a personal story about an addict’s attempts to overcome substance abuse. Emotional content can add a human dimension to a story that would be missing if the writer only included statistics and expert opinions. But emotions are easily manipulated, so writers who use this strategy need to be careful. Emotions should never be used to distort the truth or scare readers into agreeing with the writer.

Ineffective: If you don’t take action on gun control, you’re basically killing children.

Effective: Julie was puzzling over the Pythagorean Theorem when she heard the first gunshot.

Let’s Review!

• Every text has a purpose.
• Most texts are meant to inform, persuade, or entertain.
• Texts contain clues that imply an author’s outlook or set of opinions about the subject.
• Authors use rhetorical strategies to appeal to reason, establish trust, or invoke emotions.