MAP 7th Grade Reading

A comprehensive course to build reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking skills for the MAP 7th Grade Reading test.

Advanced Topics

Analyzing Author’s Purpose & Point of View

Seeing Through the Author’s Eyes

Every author has a reason for writing—maybe to inform, entertain, persuade, or express feelings. This is called the author’s purpose. Understanding this helps you see what the author wants you to think or feel.

The author’s point of view is their attitude or opinion about what they’re writing.

How to Analyze

  • Look for opinion words or strong feelings.
  • Notice if the author is trying to convince you or just share facts.
  • Check if the story is told in first, second, or third person.

Why It Matters

Figuring out the author’s purpose and point of view helps you read more critically, so you’re not just believing everything you read without thinking.

Real-World Connection

When reading news articles, advertisements, or even social media posts, knowing why someone wrote something helps you decide what to believe.

Examples

  • A commercial tries to persuade you to buy a new game—its purpose is to sell.

  • A memoir about a difficult time uses first-person point of view to express feelings.

In a Nutshell

Understand why an author writes and what their attitude is.

Key Terms

Author’s Purpose
The reason an author writes: to inform, persuade, entertain, or express.
Point of View
The perspective from which a story or information is presented.