GED RLA: Identifying Author's Purpose and Point of View
When answering GED RLA questions, it is important to understand not just what a passage says, but also why the author wrote it. The author's purpose can help explain the way information is presented.
Common Author Purposes
An author may write to:
- Inform
- Explain
- Persuade
- Entertain
- Describe
- Compare ideas
Some passages may have more than one purpose, but usually one purpose is most strongly supported by the text.
Look at the Evidence
Do not choose an answer simply because it sounds reasonable. Ask:
What does the author actually do in the passage?
For example, if the writer presents evidence and argues that readers should support a particular position, persuasion may be the primary purpose.
Understand Point of View
Point of view refers to the perspective from which information is presented. A passage may be written from a personal perspective or from a more detached perspective. Look for clues in:
- Pronouns
- Word choice
- Statements of opinion
- Descriptions
- Evidence
- Attitude toward the subject
Tone Matters
Tone describes the author's attitude. A passage might sound:
- Concerned
- Critical
- Optimistic
- Formal
- Skeptical
- Enthusiastic
Tone should be based on the author's language rather than your personal reaction.
Distinguish Purpose From Topic
A topic tells you what the passage is about. Purpose tells you why the author wrote about it. For example: Topic: Recycling in cities. Purpose: To persuade city residents to increase recycling. Those are different ideas.
Eliminate Unsupported Answers
If an answer describes something that never appears in the passage, eliminate it. GED RLA questions generally reward answers supported by textual evidence rather than assumptions.
Final Takeaway
When analyzing a GED RLA passage, ask three questions: What is the author discussing? Why did the author write about it? What language reveals the author's perspective? These questions can help you approach purpose and point-of-view questions more confidently.
