The Author's Point of View

Determine an author's point of view and how it influences the content of a text.

In nonfiction, an author's point of view is their position or attitude toward the topic. It shapes which facts they include, how they describe them, and what they conclude. You determine point of view from the author's claims, word choices, and what they emphasize. Read this original paragraph: 'Year-round school is often presented as a cure for summer learning loss. But summer gives students time to explore interests, work, travel with family, and rest.

Shortening that time could take away experiences that classrooms can't provide. ' The author's point of view is that summer break has value and year-round school may harm students. Evidence: the positive list of summer activities and the warning phrase 'take away. ' Notice that the author acknowledges the other side ('often presented as a cure') before disagreeing. When you state an author's point of view, be specific and support it with two or more pieces of textual evidence.

• 1Point of view is the author's position or attitude
• 2Find it in claims, word choice, and emphasis
• 3State it specifically with textual evidence