SAT Reading & Writing: Author's Purpose and Perspective
35+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
- 1
Author's purpose: why did the author write this text? Common purposes: to inform, to argue, to entertain, to critique, to describe.
- 2
Perspective (or point of view): what position or attitude does the author hold toward the subject?
- 3
Look for loaded words, tone, and which side of an issue the author emphasizes to identify perspective.
- 4
Distinguish between the perspective an author voices and the perspective of characters or sources quoted within the text.
- 5
Wrong answers often attribute a purpose that fits part of the passage but not the whole, or misidentify the author's attitude.
- ✗ Confusing the subject of the text with the author's perspective on that subject — authors can describe a view they don't personally hold.
- ✗ Choosing 'to inform' when the author clearly advocates for a position — that's 'to persuade' or 'to argue.'
SAT-style practice
A passage presents data on rising sea levels, cites expert warnings, and ends: 'Governments that delay action will face consequences far worse than the cost of prevention.' What primarily describes the author's purpose?
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