POINT OF VIEW
What is point of view?
Identifying point of view (POV) is an attempt at establishing an author's bias and/or motivation
within a primary source by explaining how the circumstances and background of the author affect
the document. Explaining an author's logic in his/her opinions is a form of high level evaluation.
Rather than simply describing the author’s background, point of view is instead an analysis that
provides insight into what informs or guides the thinking of the writer / speaker / photographer /
chartmaker.
Author’s place in society as common factor shaping POV
Consider how an author’s point of view would vary depending on their:
Political ideology, Class, Race, Religion, Nationality, Profession, Gender
Document type as common factor shaping POV
Different document types serve different purposes. Consider how an author’s point of view
would vary depending where their ideas were shared:
Political speech, Law/edict/decree, private memo/diary, published newspaper article/book
Introductory ways to address author’s purpose & POV

__________ (author) emphasizes ___________ (content) in order to __________ (circumstance).

__________ (author) attempts to persuade __________ (content) due to __________ (circumstance).

__________ (author) attempts to justify ___________ (content) due to __________ (circumstance).
What does an analysis of POV look like? And not look like?
Everyone has biases even if they are not immediately discernible. So, an analysis of author’s point
of view should connect three piece of information: the author, the content of the document, & the
circumstance that led the author to say what was said in the document. It is an explanation of WHY
an author had the opinion.
Examples
Connects author & document content to
author’s place in society

“Bishops of the Church of England, who would
have naturally opposed the progression of
gender equality due to their affiliation with the
conservative Church, wrote, “Wives…must
obey their husbands and cease from
commanding…”

“One must keep in mind that Bochetel was
French and due to the long standing animosity
between the two nations, may have simply been
eager for the anticipated turmoil which would
weaken England.”

“Queen Elizabeth’s personal surgeon, William
Clowes, supports her rule and prays for a long
life for her. His relationship with Elizabeth
could influence his judgment about her success
as a ruler.”

“Leonard von Eck, as chancellor, would likely
hold this view since as a government official, he
is probably very concerned with preserving
order and the stability of the political structure.”
Connects author & document content to type
of document

“Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, an English
court painter, would have collaborated with
Queen Elizabeth in creating her portrait,
standing on a map of England, to present her as
regal and powerful to those who aimed at
discrediting her.”

“It is important to note that Lorenz Fries is
commenting in a secret report probably not
meant for publication; therefore, he is likely
able to be more frank and honest than he might
have been in a public document.”
Anti-Examples

“Count Wilhelm von Hennenberg, in a letter to
Duke Albert of Prussia, noted that nobles were
surprised when peasants turned from attacking
priests and monks to the property of the
nobility.”
o Doesn’t explain why Hennenberg held these
views

“This document in biased because the speaker is
a member of the church and wants to show that
his side is right.”
o Doesn’t explain why position in church
implies a bias.

“This source may be accurate because the
author was a friend of Elizabeth’s tutor.”
o Doesn’t explain why a friend of Elizabeth’s
tutor would be a reliable source.

“Because this is a statement written by two
preachers, it accurately reflects the attitudes of
the people during this time period.”
o Doesn’t explain why preachers would be
authoritative voices of the people
A description of an author's opinion or background:
INCORRECT:
“Robespierre's point of view was that terror could accomplish great things.”
OR
“Robespierre was a leading force behind the French Revolution’s radical Jacobins.”
A statement of an author's bias:
INCORRECT:
“Nixon was bias on views toward the Watergate scandal.”
ACCEPTABLE POV:
"Robespierre believed that terror could accomplish great things. He had that point of view because
he was a member of the radical Jacobin club."
BETTER POV:
"Robespierre, with the opinion of the typical radical Jacobin, believed that terror could lead to great
things."
BEST POV:
"Robespierre's membership of the radical Jacobin society led him to believe that terror could
accomplish great things."
SOPHISTICATED POV:
"The opinions of the Jacobins were profoundly radical. For example, Robespierre was clearly
influenced by these views to believe that terror could be beneficial."