ACT Reading Humanities Authors Purpose and Perspective

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Author's Purpose and Perspective is a critical concept in the ACT's Reading and English sections. It appears on nearly every Reading test and occasionally in the English section. This topic tests your ability to analyze an author's intentions, tone, and point of view. Be prepared to identify the author's purpose, recognize biases, and understand the perspective presented in a passage or text.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Author's Purpose: The reason an author writes a text, such as to persuade, inform, or entertain.
• Tone: The attitude or feeling conveyed by the author's language and style.
• Perspective: The author's point of view or opinion on a topic.
• Bias: A preconceived opinion or attitude that influences the author's writing.
• Point of View: The narrator's or author's position or perspective in a story or text.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the passage carefully: Identify the author's purpose, tone, and perspective.
2. Look for clues: Pay attention to words and phrases that indicate the author's attitude or opinion.
3. Eliminate wrong answers: Check for biases, contradictions, and inconsistencies.
4. Check your work: Verify that your answer aligns with the passage and your analysis.
5. Manage your time: Allocate 9 minutes or less per passage to stay on track.

⚠️ Don't assume the author's purpose: Make sure to read the passage carefully and look for clues to determine the author's purpose.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

• Reading: Passage-based questions that ask about the author's purpose, tone, and perspective.
• English: Sentence or passage with underlined portions that test your ability to identify the author's purpose and perspective.
• Common distractors: Be cautious of answers that seem appealing but don't align with the passage or your analysis.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

• The mistake: Overlooking biases and contradictions.
• Why it happens: Misreading or rushing through the passage.
• How to avoid it: Carefully analyze the passage and look for clues.
• Exam board insight: The ACT penalizes incorrect answers that demonstrate a lack of analysis or understanding.
• The mistake: Assuming the author's purpose.
• Why it happens: Misreading or not carefully analyzing the passage.
• How to avoid it: Carefully read the passage and look for clues.
• The mistake: Not considering multiple perspectives.
• Why it happens: Failing to analyze the passage thoroughly.
• How to avoid it: Consider multiple perspectives and evaluate the evidence.
• The mistake: Not recognizing tone and bias.
• Why it happens: Not paying attention to language and style.
• How to avoid it: Pay attention to language and style.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1
The author of this passage writes to persuade the reader that climate change is a serious issue.
Options: A) to inform, B) to entertain, C) to persuade, D) to analyze, E) to critique Answer: C) to persuade Explanation: The author uses rhetorical language and emotional appeals to convince the reader of the importance of climate change.

Question 2
The tone of this passage is formal.
Options: A) formal, B) informal, C) sarcastic, D) humorous, E) ironic Answer: A) formal Explanation: The author uses technical language and a structured format to convey a sense of authority and expertise.

Question 3
The author's perspective in this passage is neutral.
Options: A) biased, B) neutral, C) persuasive, D) analytical, E) critical Answer: B) neutral Explanation: The author presents multiple viewpoints and evaluates the evidence without expressing a personal opinion.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Author's Purpose: Persuade, inform, entertain, analyze, or critique.
• Tone: Formal, informal, sarcastic, humorous, or ironic.
• Perspective: Biased, neutral, persuasive, analytical, or critical.
• Bias: A preconceived opinion or attitude that influences the author's writing.
• Point of View: The narrator's or author's position or perspective in a story or text.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• Don't panic: Take a deep breath and carefully read the passage again.
• Eliminate wrong answers: Check for biases, contradictions, and inconsistencies.
• Make an educated guess: If you're unsure, choose an answer that seems plausible based on the passage.
• Manage your time: Allocate 9 minutes or less per passage to stay on track.

Related ACT Topics

• Author's Tone: Understanding the author's attitude or feeling conveyed through language and style.
• Bias and Prejudice: Recognizing and evaluating biases and prejudices in a text.
• Point of View: Understanding the narrator's or author's position or perspective in a story or text.