Identify Author’s Viewpoint: What Does the Author Think? Back to 20 Best-practices Reading Strategies Author’s viewpoint is the way an author looks at a topic or the ideas being described. The author’s viewpoint includes the content of the text and the language used to present the data. Thoughtful readers decipher an author’s point of view, opinions, hypotheses, assumptions, and possible bias. Instruction for author’s viewpoint helps students read analytically in order to identify the validity of information contained in the text. Students identify words and phrases that show an author’s strong feelings for or against a person, group, or issue. Students identify selections that present various perspectives on a topic. This strategy focuses on helping students ask questions to identify stated and unstated viewpoints. Questions that help students explore author’s viewpoint: What opinions or belief statements are evident in the article? Why do you think the author has this particular opinion or point of view? What background information about the author does the reader have that may help understand the writer’s point of view? (Point of reference) Would another author have a different point of view depending on his/her background experiences? What pictures does the author paint for a reader? What evidence did the author include to support their opinions? What facts were missing? What words and phrases did the author use to present the information? (Students collect samples of the language an author uses to identify the context in which ideas are presented.) Why did the author write this selection? Identifying the author’s purpose helps students recognize possible viewpoints, especially in persuasive writing.       Copyright 1997-2013 Journey North. All Rights Reserved.   Contact Us    Search