Author’s Purpose and Point of View

 

Author’s Purpose

 

Type of Writing

Author’s Purpose

Narrative

to tell a story

Descriptive

to illustrate a person, event, place; to portray a mood

Expository

to explain, illustrate, or present information

Persuasive

to express an opinion and convince the audience to think or feel a certain way

 

 

Author’s Point of View

 

Type of Writing

Elements of Point of View

Fiction (including short stories, poems, and novels)

The author may use characters or narrator to express attitudes in the story.

Non-fiction (including informative news accounts, articles, biographies, and documentaries)

The author’s point of view is primarily neutral.  Typically the author is writing in order to explain, describe, or instruct.

Persuasive  (including editorials and advertisements)

The point of view clearly reflects the author’s attitude about a subject.  Sometimes the opinion is directly stated and other times it is implied (like main idea).  The author is either trying to convince the audience to believe something or take action by appealing to their feelings.