Authors Purpose and Perspective

As I walked through my bedroom door, my mom came to stand beside me. The walls, once decorated with posters, and the bookshelves once packed with toys and games, were now barren. Only two boxes remained - an old collection of toys and one last box ready to go with me to college. Mom gasped and threw her arms around me as she saw the empty room. My excitement was dampened when I realized how sad my mom was to see me go. I couldn't believe today was the day I would be leaving for college, and even though I was excited, I sure was going to miss my family. What is the author's purpose?

• inform

• entertain

• persuade

People who are deaf are unable to hear noises, so when people talk, they cannot hear them. They have adapted to this disability by using sign language to communicate. Sign language is the use of hands and arms to speak. Different hand movements can represent different words. Some words that don't have a hand movement are spelled out using the alphabet in sign language, such as names and places. Learning sign language is a great way to be able to communicate with people who are deaf. What is the author's purpose?

• inform

• entertain

• persuade

If there is one thing all middle school students should avoid, it should be doing laundry. First of all, laundry is something that your mother should be doing for you. Does your mom even realize how much work it is being a student? Secondly, you have so many demands from your social schedule, that it is nearly impossible to keep up with the ever growing pile of dirty clothes. Finally, your mom loves you dearly, so it is her duty to keep your clothes clean. What is the author's purpose?

• inform

• entertain

• persuade

Students spend 13 years of their lives getting a public education - more if they go to preschool. All those years are spent on things like homework, testing, reading books, completing math problems, and other time consuming activities that help people learn. Is all this time spent on learning really worth it? Many people have jobs that do not require much education. For example, people who play professional basketball or football would have been better off with less time in school. Also, famous singers like Nicki Minaj and Jason Derulo didn't need to learn algebra in order to be successful. Our society puts too much emphasis on learning, and instead, should focus more on teaching kids to become famous. What is the author's purpose?

• persuade

• inform

• entertain

There are many schools throughout the world that require school uniforms. A school uniform is a standard of dressing specifically for school. It is different from a dress code because a dress code restricts what students can wear. A uniform is much more specific. School uniforms can vary from school to school. Some schools require white button up shirts for boys and pleated skirts for girls. Other schools will ask that students wear collared shirts. Some might even require a tie. All these uniforms are required for a good reason. By taking the emphasis off clothing, students can focus on their work. They do not focus on what they are wearing. Studies have shown that student performance is higher in schools with uniforms. It also helps to eliminate any judgements based upon clothing. It can also help many students "fit in" better. Many parents are fans of school uniforms as well. Students also will not have to spend time deciding what to wear to school because it is the same each day. What is the author's purpose?

• entertain

• persuade

• inform

The way an author feels about a topic in the text is the author's _____.

• perspective

• possibilities

• purpose

• philosophy

How can readers determine the author's perspective? ***Select ALL that apply***

• Look at the language the author uses. Is there extreme language choices?

• Use the process of elimination. Which one is left?

• Look for any bias. Does the author take a side?

• Look at the purpose. WHY did the author write this text?

Author's perspective is NOT _____. ***There are TWO correct answers.***

• the language the author uses.

• the reason the author wrote the text.

• how the author feels about the topic.

• the author's point of view.

When an author shows how he or she feels about a topic they are writing about, it is called ____.

• author's purpose.

• author's perspective.

Bias means

• favoring one viewpoint over another.

• explaining both sides of an argument.

• providing evidence to prove you are correct.

• using multiple sources to explain your answer.