Commenting on the writer’s purpose and viewpoint

1. Reading AF6 Commenting on the writer’s purpose and viewpoint

2. It’s an important skill to be able to write about: what a writer thinks the effect of a writer’s words on the reader. But is it easy to sort out the views of the writer from the views of someone being written about? Test yourself with these passages:

3. Jenny thought that Chris was the worst boss ever, but then this was only her first job and this was her first day. Can you see why? Who thinks that Chris is the ‘worst boss ever’? Jenny the writer Chris From these words, who implies that Jenny is inexperienced Jenny the writer Chris

4. ‘Good morning,’ said Sherlock Holmes cheerily. ‘Pray draw closer to the fire. I see you are shivering.’ ‘It is not the cold which makes me shiver,’ replied the woman. ‘It is fear, Mr Holmes. It is terror.’ What tells you this? Who is feeling uneasy? the woman the writer Sherlock Holmes Who wants to interest the reader in a mystery? the woman the writer Sherlock Holmes

5. If you are expected to write about the what the writer thinks, there are some clues in the question. Here are some questions from the 2004 reading paper which ask about the writer’s purpose or viewpoint How does paragraph 2 make the reader think that the Eden project is exciting? What do you learn about the writer’s viewpoint and purpose overall? How does the article try to make the reader feel some sort of responsibility for the problem? Which words are clues that these questions are about the writer’s purpose and viewpoint?

6. Look at these questions from the 2004 reading paper. It is about the Eden Project in Cornwall. See if you can comment on the effects of the words on the reader (even without seeing the whole passage!). ‘Space age’ makes the reader think the project is exciting because it suggests… ‘largest greenhouse on the planet’ makes the reader think the project is exciting because it suggests… it is recording breaking and there is nothing else like it. it is modern and futuristic.

7. Often you can make many points about the one word or phrase. See if you can make different points about the same phrases: ‘Space age’ makes the reader think the project has a serious purpose because it suggests… ‘largest greenhouse on the planet’ makes the reader think the project has a serious purpose because it suggests… it is an enormous project, and probably a very important one. it is hi-tec and scientific.

8. Now look read this passage, and comment on how the writer makes the reader feel respect and admiration for Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances.“You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. “We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see.”“You know me, then?”“No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station.”The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion.“There is no mystery, my dear madam,” said he, smiling. “The left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver.”

9. Did you spot any of the following? Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances. His mind works quickly and takes in a lot of information at once: ‘all-comprehensive glances’. He is concerned for the woman, and reassures her ‘soothingly’ with his words, his tone of voice and his actions. “You must not fear,” said he soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm.

10. “We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see.” His words are full of confidence – he has ‘no doubt’. They are clear and precise. He gets straight to the point. His observations are acute and detailed as he notices that the ticket is a ‘return’. “You know me, then?” “No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove.

11. You must have started early, and yet you had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the station.”The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion. Each point he makes is exact, and he gives just enough detail, such as the ‘dog-cart’ and the ‘heavy roads’. His observations and general knowledge are stunningly detailed (‘no vehicle save a dog-cart’) and there is perhaps a touch of smugness in his reply: ‘he smiled’. “There is no mystery, my dear madam,” said he, smiling. “The left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver.”

12. Here is an example of a non-fiction text. The streets of this civilised country are showing the signs of another unpleasant British disease. The pavements of this modern and developed country are tattooed with the grey stains of a foul habit - chewing gum. People who can’t be bothered disposing of gum properly, simply spit the contents of their mouths on the floor for everyone to see and to tread upon. How gorgeous is that? Summarise the writer’s point of view. What feelings does she hope to evoke in her readers? Find three ways in which she does this.

13. The streets of this civilised country are showing the signs of another unpleasant British disease. The pavements of this modern and developed country are tattooed and ruined with the grey stains of a foul habit - chewing gum. People who can’t be bothered disposing of gum properly, simply spit the contents of their mouths on the floor for everyone to see and to tread upon. How gorgeous is that? The writer’s point of view: she is disgusted by the amount of chewing gum on the pavements. She wants to make her readers feel disgust, and perhaps shame and embarrassment. There are hints of irony: ‘civilised’ ‘developed’, ‘gorgeous’ She uses unpleasant images: ‘spit the contents…’ She implies that it is unhealthy: ‘British disease’ Did you make any of these points?

14. When revising for this type of question, remember to: Look at different types of writing, and practise looking for the writer’s viewpoint Pick out the voice of the writer Practise making as many points as you can about individual words and phrases Think about how words and phrases are designed to effect the reader