Southern Nevada Regional
Professional Development
Program
RPDP.net
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Reading Strategies for Nonfiction
Author’s Purpose, Viewpoint,
and Intended Audience
Created & Developed by Jill M. Leone
Reading Specialist
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Copyright © 2006
We will discuss how to • identify the writer’s purpose
• recognize the writer’s
- viewpoint
- tone
- intended audience
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Everything that is written has a purpose.
• a letter to a friend
• an excuse for an absence
• an essay for a class
• a book report
• a news article
• a diary or a journal
• a book or movie review
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Books, stories, essays,
poems, articles, and all
other pieces of writing
are written for a variety
of reasons.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The author’s purpose for most of
what we read usually falls into
these next categories:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Newspaper and magazine articles
Book or movie reviews
Sports columns
Medical reports and research
Time tables and schedules
Classroom lectures
Announcements
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The writer tells a
story or gives
details and events
in chronological
order the way they
happened in time.
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• A set of instructions
• An idea
• A step-by-step process
• An event
• A relationship
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• Persuade or convince you
• Discourage or encourage
• Push or prod you into action
• Warn you about something
• Plead for your sympathy
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• Show support
• Present a personal view
• Express feelings
• To motivate
• To create suspense
• To cause doubt
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Dear Editor:
If schools in Clark County begin double sessions,
students will have less time in the classroom and less
opportunity to learn new things. There will be no time
for social interaction among students. I urge you, as
parents, to write to your school board representatives
and let them know how you feel about rushing our
students through the door so a new group can come in.
Sandra Smith
Parent
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The writer’s purpose for this letter is –
A. to inform the reader.
B. to share a personal experience.
C. to explain or instruct.
D. to influence the reader.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The writer’s purpose for this letter is –
A. to inform the reader.
B. to share a personal experience.
C. to explain or instruct.
D. to influence the reader.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Novels
Essays
Short Stories
Poems
Songs
Newspaper Columns
Magazine Articles
RPDP Secondary Literacy
• Textbooks
• Encyclopedias
• Literature
• Classroom Lectures
• Internet Websites
• Series of Books or Articles
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Show similarities and/or differences
between two or more:
• ideas
• persons
• places
• objects
• events
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The ability to
see how things
are both alike
and different
helps you to
understand
them better.
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• You compare the
music you like with
the music that your
friends like.
• Doing this helps
you learn more
about yourself
and your friends.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Comparisons can be found in • Essays
• Editorial and opinion articles
• Information articles in
magazines and newspapers
• Internet websites
• Both fiction and nonfiction
writing
RPDP Secondary Literacy
A toy should be fun to use. It should be
attractive, and it should be easy to use at
first. However, as the player develops more
skill, the toy should prove more challenging.
These rules are just as true for children’s
toys as for adult toys. But there are some
special rules for a child’s toy. It should
not have any sharp edges, which
could cut little fingers.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
How does the writer contrast a child’s toy
with an adult toy?
A. A child’s toy must be attractive.
B. A child’s toy must be safe for children to
use.
C. A child’s toy should be easy to use at
first.
D. A child’s toy should be more
challenging.
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To Shock the Reader or
Try to Get the Reader’s Attention
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To Sell a Product to Readers
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To Warn the Reader
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• Business Letters
• Emails
• Faxes
• Classified Ads
• Solicitations for Donations
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Many times a writer has more than
one purpose for writing.
However Most reading tests will ask
you to choose the writer’s
primary purpose, so it’s
important to always
read and think.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The writer’s purpose is closely
related to the main idea.
Once you understand the writer’s
purpose, it’s not hard to figure out
the main idea.
And vice versa.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
It may also help to
know who the writer is.
For example:
A humorous or funny
writer probably wants
to amuse or entertain you.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
When I was in Australia, I saw several
strange animals. One was a wallaby, a
small animal that lives in rocky but grassy
areas. This unusual animal eats grasses,
roots, and bark. When a wallaby is
raised in captivity, it usually lives
about fifteen years. Here, in the
United States, wallabies are a
special attraction at many zoos.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
What is the author’s main purpose for
writing this passage?
A. to inform the reader
B. to entertain the reader
C. to persuade the reader
D. to warn the reader
How did you do?
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Hand grippers can help give your arms
those bulging biceps you’re after, but only
if they offer enough resistance. If you can
squeeze them repeatedly for one to two
minutes, and your hands don’t get tired,
they’re too weak.
The writer’s purpose is A. to entertain.
B. to persuade.
C. to describe an event.
D. to instruct.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Hand grippers can help give your arms
those bulging biceps you’re after, but only
if they offer enough resistance. If you can
squeeze them repeatedly for one to two
minutes, and your hands don’t get tired,
they’re too weak.
The writer’s purpose is A. to entertain.
B. to persuade.
C. to describe an event.
D. to instruct.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
His name is Spot and he’s just six months old.
His eyes are brown and he has a wonderful
temperament. Spot would make an excellent
family pet. His former owners cannot keep
him because their son is allergic to
dogs. Won’t you give this precious
puppy a chance by giving it a home?
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
This selection was written to –
A. make you laugh.
B. make you angry.
C. make you dislike animals.
D. make you sympathetic.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
This selection was written to –
A. make you laugh.
B. make you angry.
C. make you dislike animals.
D. make you sympathetic.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
STOP!
It’s also important for you
to understand the author’s
viewpoint.
The author’s viewpoint is
related to both the
purpose and
the main idea.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
The way a writer feels about someone
or something “colors” everything
he or she writes.
Train yourself to be aware
of the writer’s viewpoint.
Notice how the writer
communicates his own
viewpoint.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Over the summer months, graffiti
in this city increases by almost 100%.
Homeowners and other decent people
are forced to reach into their pockets
and spend their hard-earned dollars on
chemicals to clean this disgusting mess
off the block walls of their homes left by
the talented artists who vandalize our
neighborhoods as we sleep.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Over the summer months, graffiti in
this city increases by almost 100%.
Homeowners and other decent
people are forced to reach into
their pockets and spend their hardearned dollars on chemicals to
clean this disgusting mess off the
block walls of their homes left by
the talented artists who vandalize
our neighborhoods
as we
sleep.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
It’s easy to figure out
this writer’s viewpoint by
the way he suggests
that people who graffiti
our city are not decent.
Also, he puts the word
talented in italicized
print to suggest that
these artists are not
really talented at all.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
He also portrays the
homeowners as:
People who must work
hard for their money.
People who are
victimized while they
sleep.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Look for positive or
negative words.
When you have no word clues, form
your own reaction or impression.
Ask yourself if you feel shocked, or
surprised, or impressed.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
The leader of the gang of smugglers tried
everything possible to get Mike to help him. He
told him that he’d be rich if he cooperated and
given a new car and a well-paying job. Mike
was not tempted. He did not give in even when
he was threatened with death. Nothing that the
gang leader said could change his mind.
The author describes Mike as –
A. dishonest and cowardly.
B. intelligent and well-spoken.
C. old and kind.
D. honest and courageous.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
The leader of the gang of smugglers tried
everything possible to get Mike to help him. He
told him that he’d be rich if he cooperated and
given a new car and a well-paying job. Mike
was not tempted. He did not give in even when
he was threatened with death. Nothing that the
gang leader said could change his mind.
The author describes Mike as –
A. dishonest and cowardly.
B. intelligent and well-spoken.
C. old and kind.
D. honest and courageous.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
• Tone is the attitude a writer takes toward a subject.
• Tone is different from mood, which refers
to the way the reader responds to a selection.
Example:
A story about two teenagers stranded
along the side of a road with a flat tire
might create a stressful or frightening
mood. However, the tone could reflect
the writer’s amusement at the
characters’ predicament.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Read for ideas, not just words.
Pay careful attention to text features:
• Bold print
• Italicized words
• Underlined words
• Capitalized words
• Bulleted words
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Ask you to identify the writer's attitude
or perspective
• Check the adjectives he chooses.
• Are the writer's feelings toward the subject
positive, negative, or neutral?
• Does the writer give his own opinion,
or does he objectively present the opinions
of others?
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Read these four statements about a cat.
Decide which statement is made by a cat
lover.
A. I cooked veal for her supper
because I know she loves it.
B. She is useful for getting rid of mice.
C. She lives to eat and sleep.
D. She’s not as bad as dogs or kids.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Read these four statements about a cat.
Decide which statement is made by a cat
lover.
A. I cooked veal for her supper
because I know she loves it.
B. She is useful for getting rid of mice.
C. She lives to eat and sleep.
D. She’s not as bad as dogs or kids.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Although baseball is an interesting and extremely
popular sport, it provides much less effective
exercise than other sports. In contrast to baseball,
soccer is a sport which exercises the entire body.
Although running is important in both of these
sports, the athlete playing soccer is able to
run for longer periods without interruption,
thereby providing a more effective workout.
Baseball is, however, fun to watch, and a
good sport for television viewing.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
The author feels that baseball --A. is boring but good exercise.
B. is boring and does not provide
effective exercise.
C. is interesting and provides effective exercise.
D. is interesting but does not provide effective
exercise.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
The author feels that baseball --A. is boring but good exercise.
B. is boring and does not provide
effective exercise.
C. is interesting and provides effective exercise.
D. is interesting but does not provide effective
exercise.
How did you do?
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Even though the United Supermarket employs 200 people,
there’s no reason that it should remain open. Some people
argue that it offers a wide selection of food at low prices, but
United sells old or expired food that makes people ill. Health
inspectors have issued complaints about it, and more than a
dozen patients have been hospitalized after eating food
purchased there. This supermarket must be closed! Until
then, no one should buy anything at United.
The writer seems to feel the key issue about United is A. it has low prices.
B. it offers a wide selection of food.
C. it sells food that is unsafe.
D. 200 people work there.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Even though the United Supermarket employs 200 people,
there’s no reason that it should remain open. Some people
argue that it offers a wide selection of food at low prices, but
United sells old or expired food that makes people ill. Health
inspectors have issued complaints about it, and more than a
dozen patients have been hospitalized after eating food
purchased there. This supermarket must be closed! Until
then, no one should buy anything at United.
The writer seems to feel the key issue about United is A. it has low prices.
B. it offers a wide selection of food.
C. it sells food that is unsafe.
D. 200 people work there.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Who does the writer want to target
with a piece of writing?
When you write a note
to a friend – you use
words that your friend
will understand.
Textbooks are written in language
that students can understand.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Imagine trying to
read a textbook
with words so big
and technical
that you have no
idea what you’re
reading!
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A reading selection may be written for:
• children
• adults
• scientists
• sports fans
• mechanics
• chefs
RPDP Secondary Literacy
You can tell for whom something is
written by:
• The language used
• The way the topics are
discussed
• What the audience is
assumed to know
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Click the HELP button in the lower righthand corner of the software screen.
This is written for:
a. computer programmers
b. young children
c. people who are learning computers
d. computer salespersons
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Click the HELP button in the lower righthand corner of the software screen.
This is written for:
a. computer programmers
b. young children
c. people who are learning computers
d. computer salespersons
How did you do?
RPDP Secondary Literacy
How do we know the answer is people
who are learning computers?
• Computer programmers would already
know what to do.
• Salespersons would have knowledge of
the merchandise they’re selling.
• And little children probably wouldn’t
understand.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Starting on a hill is tricky. Press the gas
pedal gently. You should feel the car ready
to move before you let out the brake. If
you’ve done it just right, the car will begin
to climb the hill in a slow, steady way.
This is written for –
A. auto mechanics.
B. auto sales people.
C. people learning to drive.
D. fourth grade teachers.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
Starting on a hill is tricky. Press the gas
pedal gently. You should feel the car ready
to move before you let out the brake. If
you’ve done it just right, the car will begin
to climb the hill in a slow, steady way.
This is written for –
A. auto mechanics.
B. auto sales people.
C. people learning to drive.
D. fourth grade teachers.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
When Johnny left the ice minutes into the second
quarter, you could hear the fans groan. Johnny was
limping so badly we all figured the season was over.
He and the ranger goalie collided hard, and Johnny
barely limped away. Let’s hope his replacement,
Mario, has a big season left in him.
This selection is written for –
A. medical doctors.
B. college students.
C. sports fans.
D. karate students.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Practice Question
When Johnny left the ice minutes into the second
quarter, you could hear the fans groan. Johnny was
limping so badly we all figured the season was over.
He and the ranger goalie collided hard, and Johnny
barely limped away. Let’s hope his replacement,
Mario, has a big season left in him.
This selection is written for –
A. medical doctors.
B. college students.
C. sports fans.
D. karate students.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
It is also helpful to –
• Read the first and last sentences carefully.
• Think about words and ideas the writer
stressed.
• Think about what the writer did not tell you
and why he may have omitted certain details.
• Evaluate whether the writer has selected
the best way to present this topic.
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Today we discussed –
• Author’s Purpose
• Author’s Viewpoint
• Author’s Tone
• Intended Audience
RPDP Secondary Literacy
Copyright Notice
Permission is granted to copy (unmodified) all or
part of this PowerPoint for educational, personal,
non-commercial use off-line as long as the
copyright message (Copyright © 2006 by Jill Leone) is
maintained on the title page. This material may not
be sold, duplicated on other websites, incorporated
in commercial documents or products, or used for
promotional purposes.
Copyright © 2006 by Jill M. Leone
RPDP Secondary Literacy