This document discusses identifying an author's point of view through their word choices. It provides instructions to re-read a selection, notice word choices used to discuss the main idea, brainstorm what perspective a person using those words would have, and determine the author's point of view. An excerpt from Booker T. Washington is analyzed, finding he uses sophisticated language to describe his sad upbringing as a slave, indicating his point of view is that of a well-educated man reflecting on his life with great sadness.

1. How do Washington’s word choices
illustrate his point of view?

2. In this lesson, you will learn to
identify an author’s point of
view by identifying and
explaining important word
choices.
Word
Choices
What’s my
point of
view?

3. Let’s Review

4. Core Lesson
1
2
3
Reread your selection, and notice word
choices that the author uses to talk about
the main idea.
Brainstorm what the words makes you think
of and what kind of a perspective a person
who uses them would have.
Ask yourself: what is the author’s point
of view?

5. Core Lesson
My life had its beginning in the midst of
the most miserable, desolate, and
discouraging surroundings. This was so,
however, not because my owners were
especially cruel, for they were not, as
compared with many others. I was born
in a typical log cabin, about fourteen by
sixteen feet square. In this cabin I lived
with my mother and a brother and sister
till after the Civil War, when we are all
declared free.
How do Washington’s word choices
illustrate his point of view?
What do these
words tell me
about the
author?

6. Core Lesson • Sophisticated way to
say sad, depressed
• Alone, lonely, but again,
fancy language
• Nice alliteration, losing
courage
My life had its beginning in the midst of
the most miserable, desolate, and
discouraging surroundings. This was so,
however, not because my owners were
especially cruel, for they were not, as
compared with many others. I was born
in a typical log cabin, about fourteen by
sixteen feet square. In this cabin I lived
with my mother and a brother and sister
till after the Civil War, when we are all
declared free.
What does this
brainstorm tell me
about the author’s
point of view?

7. Core Lesson
Point of View Brainstorm
• Sophisticated way to
say sad, depressed
• Alone, lonely, but again,
fancy language
• Nice alliteration, losing
courage
What does this
brainstorm tell me
about the author’s
point of view?
Washington is a
sophisticated, well
educated man who feels
great sadness about his
life as a slave.

8. Core Lesson
Reread your selection, and notice word
choices that the author uses to talk about
the main idea.
1
2
Brainstorm what the word makes you think
of and what kind of perspective a person
who uses them would have.
3 Ask yourself: what is the author’s point
of view?

9. In this lesson, you have learned to
identify an author’s point of view by
identifying and explaining important
word choices.