Author's Point of View Lesson

Determining Author's Point of View

7th Grade Review and Practice

Mrs. Ternyila and Mr. Moran

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase "author's point of view" mean?

• The perspective from which the story is told in (1st person, 3rd person, etc)

• The author's thoughts and feeling about the topic the text is about

• How the author feels about the text

​Certain text structures may give you a clue about the author's purpose and the author's point of view about the topic

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Structures:

Description​

Sequence/Order or Chronological​

Compare and Contrast

Problem and Solution

Cause and Effect​

Text Structure and Author's Purpose

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"Loaded words" or words with a strong connotation often help you understand the author's point of view better.

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​Make sure the word choice is actually describing the author's feelings about the topic.​

Word Choice

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​The facts or information the author chooses to share or leave out can help you determine the author's point of view

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Think: Statistics, Personal anecdotes, etc.​

​​The Details

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Look at these things to help you determine the author's Point of view

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After the collapse of the Somali government and the break up of the Somali Navy, international fishing vessels began to conduct illegal fishing in Somali waters. This depleted or drained local fish stocks, and Somali fishing communities responded by forming armed groups to ward off the invaders. These groups, using small boats, would sometimes hold vessels and crew for ransom. This grew into a profitable trade, with large ransom payments. The pirates then began hijacking commercial vessels. With the region badly affected by poverty and government corruption, there was little political motivation at the local level to deal with the crisis. Large numbers of unemployed Somali youth began to see it as a means of supporting their families.

Source: wikipedia.com

Pirating in SoMalia

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Multiple Choice

What is the author's purpose and text structure of the following passage?

The Hidden Cost of Piracy by Emily McGee

The waters off the coast of Somalia are notoriously dangerous. Somali pirates have attacked more than 100 ships every year for the past several years. When pirates successfully capture a ship, they usually hold the ship's crew and ships contents for ransom. Successful pirate crews can take over a million dollars a year. As a result, foreign companies and governments will pay large sums of money to save their employees. This money goes directly to the pirates.

Even in Somalia, Piracy has weakened the local economy. Piracy has given Somalia a reputation as a violent and lawless place. This awful reputation is the main reason why tourism in Somalia is virtually non-existent. Without an influx of visitors to Somalia's beautiful beaches, there are no jobs in the tourist industry,

Unfortunately, the economic costs of piracy don't end there. Pirate attacks off the cost of Somalia have had a devastating effect on the global shipping economy. Insurance companies must charge outrageous prices to insure ships traveling to the area. Those costs are passed down to the consumer. Not only is piracy illegal and deadly, it is also bad for the economy.

• Entertain; descriptive

• Persuade; compare and contrast

• Inform; problem and solution

• Persuade; cause and effect

Draw

Circle all the LOADED WORDS that show might show the author's point of view.

Multiple Choice

Based on what we have read and examined so far, what would you say the author's point of view is about Somali pirates?

• Emily McGee feels that Somali pirates are an issue that is best left alone.

• Emily McGee feels that Somali pirates are an issue that is harmful to the country of Somalia.

• Emily McGee feels that Somali pirates play an important role in Somalia.