Analyzing Perspective and Purpose

Analyzing Perspective and Purpose

I CAN recognize and recall specific vocabulary, such as: 

author’s perspective, author’s purpose.

• author's perspective: the opinion an author has based on their background and knowledge

• author's purpose: the reason they are writing the text

I CAN identify the specific purpose of a text.

• When thinking about the "why" an author would write a text, think about what emotions, feelings, actions, characters you relate to. Authors often try to connect to their readers by using a "why" that can be understood by all (think similar to theme in fictional texts).

• Keep in mind the author's perspective: how could the author relate to their own text? If it is not specifically about themselves, how could the author still be sharing a bit of their own life/history?

Multiple Select

Thinking back to "Remember the Titans": what was the author's (screenwriter's) purpose?

*Click all that apply.

• Gregory Allen Howard grew up in Norfolk, Virginia.

• Gregory Allen Howard was interested in the true and unique history of T.C. Williams.

• Gregory Allen Howard is an African-American with a degree in American History.

• Gregory Allen Howard has always wanted to be a screenwriter that tells true stories of the human experience.

Open Ended

Why do you think one of Gregory Allen Howard's purposes for "Remember the Tians" was to tell "true stories of the human experience"?

What evidence from the movie supports your answer?

I CAN supply evidence that an author uses to develop his/her purpose.

• EVERY CREDIBLE STATEMENT CAN BE BACKED UP WITH EVIDENCE.

• Dinosaurs used to exist - we have their bones to prove it.

• In some form, humans have evolved - we have different skeletons through the ages.

• You canNOT actually see the Great Wall of China from space - there are no lights for the astronauts to see the slim steps despite the length.

I CAN analyze the issues or problems an author addresses in a text.

• First step: IDENTIFY the problems or issues.

• Second step: PROVIDE proof the problem or issue exists.

• Third step: EXPLAIN why the author needed to bring up this particular problem or issue. WHY and HOW does it support their purpose?

• Analyze = "discover or reveal (something) through detailed examination" (Oxford Languages)

Political Cartoon from 1939

Problem: The United States would not accept Jewish refugees.

Analysis: A country founded by refugees and immigrants were refusing their basic principles: religious and government freedom. The U.S. tells other countries they will accept the "homeless, tempest-tossed" to help keep these people safe, yet the U.S. is turning them away while they are in a dire need.

I CAN explain shifts of perspective (author’s belief) in a text.

• Shifts can be any change in how the author is presenting their information and/or thoughts. Examples

• time - past to present, present to future, etc.

• opinion - believing in one side, but giving information on the other; changing opinion based on new information

• cultures - comparing or contrasting different lifestyles

• characters - changing point of view of narration to see difference in opinions/backgrounds

Character Shift

We see a difference in background, opinion, circumstances, views on life. Each character gets a few minutes to show their separate households and relationships with the two coaches.

Multiple Select

What are other "shifts in perspective" we see in "Remember the Titans"?

• Character: Coach Boone and Coach Yoast

• Time: Present to past/past to present

• Opinion: Two sides should be separated to two sides are equal

I CAN analyze how the author’s shifts in perspective enhance or distract from the purpose of the text.

• For 4.0, I expect you to give a clear and deep analysis of these different shifts - "reveal" your thoughts on how these shifts help or hinder the purpose.

• Example: The multiple character shifts help the audience see how both sides (black and white) live and how they are actually very similar. It helps us relate to both sides and understand where they are coming from. Because of this, we are able to see why black and white people should be treated equally and get along. The time shifts also help us see that they "made it work" after the challenges and hardships they originally experienced.

Open Ended

I CAN identify the specific purpose of a text. I CAN supply evidence that an author uses to develop his/her purpose.

What was the speaker's purpose? How do you know?

Open Ended

I CAN analyze the issues or problems an author addresses in a text.

What problems or issues did the speaker bring up?

Open Ended

I CAN explain shifts of perspective (author’s belief) in a text. I CAN analyze how the author’s shifts in perspective enhance or distract from the purpose of the text.

What shifts of perspective did the author use? Did these shifts help show his purpose or did it take away/distract the audience? Explain.