Writer's Viewpoint and Attitude

  • Understanding the writer’s viewpoint and attitude is crucial to comprehending any piece of writing. Try to analyse what the author thinks and how they feel about the events, characters, and problems in the text.

  • The writer’s viewpoint can often be conveyed through things like word choice, tone, imagery, or figurative language.

  • A writer may display a particular attitude towards a person, place, or idea through their use of descriptive language. This can help you identify their perspective and the feelings they wish to evoke in the reader.

  • A narrative style close to the viewpoint of a particular character can also indicate a writer’s attitude.

  • A writer’s viewpoint and attitude can sometimes be direct and overt, or it might be subtle and only hinted at. This is what makes literature engaging and open to various interpretations.

  • You can identify a writer’s attitude by looking at the emotive language they use. Emotive language is any wording that attempts to influence an audience’s emotional response to the content.

  • Keep in mind that the author’s viewpoint is not always the same as the narrator’s viewpoint.

  • Remember, identifying the writer’s viewpoint or attitude is about analysis, not just description. This means you need to try to interpret why the writer has used certain language or structure, not just what they’ve done.

  • Bear in mind that the writer’s viewpoint and attitude can change throughout a text, especially if it is a longer one. This might occur to present various perspectives, or to show change and development in characters or themes.

  • An understanding of the writer’s viewpoint and attitudes is crucial in answering comprehension questions, as it allows deeper understanding, greater empathetic reading and thoughtful responses.

  • This comprehension also aids in comparing and contrasting different texts, as it offers a basis for comparison - the perspectives and attitudes expressed by different authors.

  • Revision tip: Practice identifying the writer’s viewpoint and attitude in different texts. This could be in novels, short stories, or even newspapers and magazines. With continued practise, you can become quicker and more effective at spotting these points.