STAAR EOC: Reading

The STAAR EOC: Reading subject focuses on the essential reading skills required for high school students in Texas to succeed in their End-of-Course assessments.

Understanding Main Idea and Supporting DetailsMaking Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsAnalyzing Author’s Purpose and Point of View
Interpreting Figurative Language and Literary DevicesEvaluating Argument and EvidenceUnderstanding Text Structure and Organization
Reading for Everyday LifeAnalyzing Media and Digital TextsApplying Reading Skills to Other Subjects
Active Reading StrategiesProcess of EliminationTime Management During the Test
Understanding Main I...Making Inferences an...Analyzing Author’s P...Interpreting Figurat...Evaluating Argument ...Understanding Text S...Reading for Everyday...Analyzing Media and ...Applying Reading Ski...Active Reading Strat...Process of Eliminati...Time Management Duri...
Basic Concepts

Analyzing Author’s Purpose and Point of View

Why Did the Author Write This?

Every author has a reason for writing. It could be to inform, persuade, entertain, or express ideas. Understanding the purpose helps you get more out of any text.

The author’s point of view (POV) is their unique perspective or attitude about the subject. It shapes how the information is presented.

Types of Author’s Purpose

  • To Inform: Gives you facts or explains something.
  • To Persuade: Tries to convince you of something.
  • To Entertain: Aims to amuse or tell a story.
  • To Express: Shares thoughts or feelings.

How to Find the Purpose and POV

  • Look at the language used—are there facts, opinions, or emotional words?
  • Think about what the author wants you to do or feel after reading.

Real-World Benefits

Knowing the author’s purpose and POV helps you evaluate articles, ads, and even social media posts with a critical eye.

Examples

  • An article full of facts about climate change aims to inform readers.

  • A story told from the ‘I’ perspective (first person) shows the narrator’s personal feelings.

In a Nutshell

Figure out why an author wrote something and how their perspective shapes the text.

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Interpreting Figurative Language and Literary Devices