Author’s Point of View & Purpose

Author’s Point of View & Purpose

Point of View Definition: • Determines who is telling the story—the perspective, or vantage point from which an author presents a story. Types of Point of View: • First person • Second person • Third person limited • Third person omniscient

1st Person Point of View Definition • The MAIN CHARACTERtells the story * Uses words such as: “I” and “We” Purpose • We see the story from only ONE character’s (main) perspective/view. • Why an author chooses this Point of View: • Readers can usually relate to the narrator • It may be an autobiography

1st Person POV Examples EXAMPLES: • As I placed a carefully wrapped package on the park bench, I looked up and saw Molly walking across the street. I hoped that she hadn’t seen me. • From The Outsiders: He was shaking me and I wished he’d stop. I was dizzy enough anyways. I could tell it was Darry though….” PRACTICE: • Write a short paragraph that tells about the highlights of your winter break using 1st person point of view.

2nd Person Point of View Definition *The AUTHORtells the story • Uses words such as: “YOU” and “YOUR” • Sometimes this is implied – ex: “Open the door” • Least common point of view used Purpose • Why an author chooses this Point of View: • To give directions • To persuade a person

2nd Person POV Examples Recipes, persuasive articles and self help books are often written in 2nd person Point of View Example: “1. You need to mix the eggs and flour together. 2. You will next pour in the sugar and vanilla..” Example: Have you ever felt lost and out of control? With these 5 simple tips, you will gain control of your life and your emotions.

2nd Person PoV Practice PRACTICE: • Write a short paragraph that explains to the reader how to have the best winter break of all time using 2nd person point of view.

Third Person Point of View Definition: • The AUTHOR tells the story • Uses words such as: “HE”, “SHE”, “THEY”, or “CHARACTER’S NAMES.” • The reader gets to see the events from all different characters perspectives/views. Purpose: • Why an author chooses this Point of View: • Readers can get a better perspective about all of the characters. • There are two types of Third Person Point of View: • Limited- Omniscient

Third Person LIMITED PoV Definition: • The narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of a single character • Key Words: They, He, She, Character’s Names Purpose • Why an author chooses this Point of View: • Readers can get a better perspective about one character’s thoughts as well as learning a lot about that character in particular

Third Person OMNISCIENT Omni= All Omniscient=All Knowing Definition • Third person omniscient point of view is when the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of many characters. • Key Words: They, He, She, Characters’ Names Purpose: • Why an author chooses this Point of View: • Readers can get a better perspective about all of the character’s thoughts and feelings to better understand relationships between characters in the story.

Third Person PoV Examples EXAMPLES: Limited Narrator: • As George placed the carefully wrapped package on the park bench, he looked up and saw Molly walking across the street. Omniscient Narrator: • George anxiously hoping that no one was watching him, placed a carefully wrapped package on an empty park bench. But Molly, who was walking home, saw him and couldn’t help thinking that he was acting strangely.

Third Person PoV Examples The Amigo Brothers is written in 3rd person point of view. Examples: “ Antonio tried to be cool, but even as the roar was in its first birth, he turned slowly to meet Felix’s eyes looking directly in to his. Felix nodded his head and Antonio responded.” “Antonio and Felix slept, ate, rapped, and dreamt positive.” “Finding no takers, Felix decided to split to his aunts.” “Antonio was passing some heavy time on his rooftop.” Is Amigo Brothers 3rd person limited or 3rd person omniscient?

3rd Person PoV Practice PRACTICE: • Write a short paragraph that tells about the moment you received the best gift you have ever gotten using a third person limited point of view ________________________________________ • Next, explain what you would add to your paragraph in order to change it to 3rd person omniscient. • Be prepared to share out!

Careful with Quotations! Harry said, “I can’t believe you would betray me like that Ron!”. I said to the class, “You should definitely make note cards and study ALL stem words for Tuesday’s quiz!”. When you give a speech, you should not begin by saying, “I am going to tell a story about…”.

There Are Always Two Sides to the Story… • Have you ever heard anyone say, “There are two sides to every story?” • What do you think this means? • It means that for every situation, there are different “points of view” depending on who you are and how you are looking at the situation. It also depends on your background, your beliefs and your experiences. • Activity: Learn about Point of View while reading about the “The 3 Little Pigs”…

The Point of Viewshows the perspective of the story “I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar!” “That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!”

Author’s Point of View: Definition • An author’s point of viewrefers to his or her position on an issue or, in other words, the author’s opinion or belief regarding an issue. --Authors may have conflicting points of view (opinions) about controversial issues. --When authors favor one side of an issue, they are said to have a bias in favor of that side of the issue. (subjective) --Authors may be unbiased (neutral or objective). Chapter 10: Determining the Author's Purpose, Tone, Point of View, and Intended Audience

Author’s Perspective (Viewpoint) Definition: • Through his or her writing, the author reveals or shows the author’s attitudes, opinions, background, feelings or personal interest in a subject. • Might be stated directly in the text but often must be inferred • Subjective language can revel an author’s point of view. Purpose: • The author has an opportunity to share his or her opinion, thoughts, feelings, and/or advice with the reader.

Examples Example: • Imagine watching a friend race at a swimming competition. After the race, you might say to her, “That was awesome! You looked so confident!” But your friend might respond, “I was so terrified!” My stomach was churning, and I almost missed the turn on the last lap!”…THEY BOTH HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

What is author’s purpose? Author’s always have a purpose, or reason, why they set out to write a story, article, poem, etc. The four possible purposes they may have are: 1. TO INFORM 2.TO PERSUADE 3. TO ENTERTAIN 4. TO EXPRESS THOUGHTS

TO INFORM When an author wants to inform, he/she wants to teach the reader about factual informationsuch as an event, product, or person. • EXAMPLES: • Biography of Barack Obama • News report about a kidnapping • Encyclopedias • Essay about “killer bees” • Directions on how to put a T.V. stand together.

Inform Text Example • An average hurricane releases as much energy as several atomic explosions. Its power output in a single minute could keep the United States in electricity for 50 years. The hurricane that struck Bangladesh in 1970 produced a tidal wave that killed 200,000 people. In 1900, in Galveston, Texas a hurricane created storm tides that swept 6,000 people to their deaths.

TO PERSUADE When the author wants to persuade the reader, he/she wants to convince you to think or believe the same things as the author does. • EXAMPLES: • Political speeches • Advertisements • A cover letter for your resume • An essay urging readers to recycle

Persuade Text Example An average hurricane releases as much energy as several atomic explosions. Its power output in a single minute could keep the United States in electricity for 50 years. Hurricane Sandy that recently struck the East Coast caused massive devastation. Contact your local Red Cross to make a donation to help support those who need assistance.

TO ENTERTAIN An author wants to entertain for the purpose of making the reader laugh, feel suspense, or otherwise enjoy the writing. • EXAMPLES: • Novels • Poems • Narrative essay about the big game you won • Script for a TV show

Entertain Text Example • As I talked to my aunt three days ago I couldn’t stop the tears from coming to my eyes as she relived the nightmare of Hurricane Sandy. She told me about her experience of living without power for seven days. She described the damage done to the first floor of her home in New Jersey; the water crashed through the windows and swept away her belongings and all sense of self.

TO EXPRESS THOUGHTS An author simply wants to pour his or her thoughts and feelings onto paper. Examples: * Journal Entries * Poems * Facebook/MySpace * Blogs

To Express Thoughts Text Example Dear Journal, Today I learned about hurricane Sandy in school. I cannot believe how much power a hurricane can release! I feel awful for all of the people whose lives are at risk and who are watching their homes be destroyed. I can’t imagine all of my most precious items beings swept away…I think hurricanes are the worst natural disaster. My friend Jeremy thinks that tornadoes are worse then hurricanes, but I disagree. The damage caused by a hurricane is usually more far reaching and widespread then the damage caused by a tornado. Anyway, I hope all of the people affected by the hurricane are safe.

You try! Use your knowledge to determine the author’s purpose!

1 A list of the 50 richest athletes in the world.

2 Creating a new Facebook status.

3 An article arguing why Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player ever.

4 An “X-men” comic book.

To Summarize… What is Author's Purpose and Point of View?The author’s purpose is the REASON why the story or article was written. Is the purpose to entertain, persuade or inform? The Author’s Point of View is how the author FEELS about the topic and events in the writing. Are they angry, disappointed, sorrowful, or maybe delighted, enthusiastic, or empathetic? The point of view in which a story is written tells you from who's perspective is the story told. • 1st person (I, me, my) • 2nd person (you) • 3rd person (they, he, she) Limited= thoughts of one character. Omniscient= thoughts of all characters

To Summarize… Why is Author's Purpose and Point of View an important reading strategy? • Understanding the author’s purpose will help you identify the main idea and most important details. - To Entertain: Characters, setting, problem, events, solution - To Inform: Who, Where, When, What, Why, How - To Persuade: Audience, point of view, supporting reasonsHow do we find Author’s Purpose and Point of View to help us understand what we are reading? • As you read ask yourself, Why do you think the author wrote this? (Remember an author MAY have more than one purpose for writing) • Look for clues to help understand how the author is feeling and what their point of view is. Compare your feelings and point of view with the author’s. Do you feel the same or differently?

Author’s Point of View & Purpose