Author's Point of View vs Author's Perspective

​Influences on Text & Author's Perspective

By Gabriel Strickland-Chism

Big Idea: Students recognize influences on texts and analyze how they shape meaning.

Standards:
7.T.C.2 | 7.T.C.2.a | 7.T.C.2.b | 7.T.C.2.d

Learning Intentions:

• I am learning that the overall purpose of any text is to connect with audience(s).

• I am learning to identify ways that a text develops one or more purposes.

  Success Criteria:

• I can comprehend techniques a writer may use for a text with the purpose of convincing a reader, such as extreme language, logical analysis, and evidence that supports a claim.

• I can comprehend techniques a writer may use for a text with the purpose of informing, such as the use of facts and statistics, definitions, comparison and contrast, etc.

Same Topic. Different Meaning.

Statement A:
School dress codes help students focus and create respectful learning environments.

Statement B:
School dress codes unfairly limit student expression and individuality.

Discuss:

• Which statement is more positive?

• What words influenced your thinking?​

​Same Topic Different Meaning

Key Vocabulary

• Perspective: Attitude/thoughts towards a topic (the way the author thinks, feels, and views a particular topic.

• Tone: speakers attitude that is conveyed through their word choice

• Evidence: facts or documentation that support a claim

• Credibility: the quality of being believable/reliable. Expert or not?

• Influence: the power to affect someone's thoughts, beliefs, and or attitudes

• Prevailing Perspective: the dominant perspective

Multiple Choice

What is prevailing perspective

• The author's thoughts, feelings and beliefs towards a topic

• The quality of being believable

• The most dominant perspective/thoughts, feelings, and attitudes towards a topic

• Facts and Evidence

Author's Perspective

​Author’s Perspective = what the author believes, thinks, or feels about a topic.

Authors reveal perspective through:

• Tone

• Word choice

• Evidence

​Influences on a text

An author’s perspective is shaped by:

• Background & experiences

• Time period / current events

• Purpose (inform, persuade, entertain)

• Intended audience

🧠 These influences affect WHAT is said and HOW it’s said.

Point of view vs perspective

-The author's attitude or opinion about a topic revealed through tone, word choice, and evidence.
Positive: supports a topic
Negative: criticizes a topic
Neutral: presents both sides

​Perspective

Point of View= WHO IS TELLING THE STORY
- First Person: I, me, and my
-Second Person: You
-Third Person Limited: the narrators tells the thoughts of ONE character (he, she, they)
-Third Person Omniscient: OMNI (ALL) the narrotor tells the thoughts of ALL characters.

​point of view

Open Ended

What is the difference in author's point of view and author's perspective

Homework Policies

1. What is the author's prevailing perspective? too much homework is harmful to students

2. What is the tone? clue words: harmful, stressful, harm

3. Evidence: Student reports and a survey showing homework affects sleep and family time.

4. Credibility: Survey Data

While homework is often viewed as beneficial, excessive homework can negatively affect students. Many students report feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted after long school days followed by hours of assignments. In a recent survey, over half of middle school students said homework interfered with family time and sleep. These outcomes suggest that too much homework may do more harm than good.

1. What is the prevailing perspective?

2. What is the tone? How do you know? (Clue words)

3. What evidence supports this view?

4. Credible evidence, why or why not?

​Discussion Questions

Many schools have begun providing students with tablets to support learning, and this change has had a positive impact on student engagement. According to a district report, students using digital tools completed assignments 20% faster and participated more often in class discussions. Teachers also report that students are more motivated when lessons include interactive technology. These results show that technology, when used responsibly, improves learning experiences.

​Technology in Schools

Guided Practice

Multiple Choice

Question 1 (7.T.C.2.a)

Which statement BEST describes an author’s prevailing perspective?

• A. The topic the author writes about

• B. The author’s opinion or position on the topic

• C. The text structure used
  

• D. The narrator of the text

Multiple Choice

Question 2 (7.T.C.2.b)

Which detail MOST helps a reader determine an author’s tone?

• A. The title of the text

• B. The length of the paragraphs
  

• C. The words and phrases the author chooses

• D. The font style used

Multiple Choice

Question 3 (7.T.C.2.b)

How does strong evidence affect an author’s credibility?

• A. It makes the text longer

• B. It proves the author’s perspective is correct
  

• C. It helps readers trust the author’s claims

• D. It makes the text more entertaining

Multiple Choice

Question 4 (7.T.C.2.a)

An author uses statistics and expert quotes to support their argument. This MOST LIKELY shows the author is trying to:

• A. Entertain the reader

• B. Strengthen their perspective

• C. Change the point of view

• D. Confuse the reader

Multiple Choice

Question 5 (7.T.C.2.d)

Which source would be MOST credible for a research-based article?

• A. A personal blog with opinions
  

• B. A social media post

• C. A school textbook or .edu website
  

• D. An anonymous comment online