Purpose, Perspective, and POV on the ACT Reading® Test
Read time: 2 minutes Last updated: September 23rd, 2024
Questions about purpose and perspective are relatively frequent on the ACT® Reading. They're less frequent than word and phrase in context questions – the most frequent Craft and Structure questions - but not by much. These questions can be challenging for some students because high schools often teach us not to speculate about an author's purpose in writing. But on the ACT®, understanding the author's purpose is an important skill.
Example Question Phrasing
Purpose
What is the main function of this paragraph?This is different from the main idea of the paragraph. The main idea is a summary, whereas the main function explains why the author chose to write in a certain way.
- One function of the first paragraph is…
- Why did the author do this this way?
- Why did the author choose to include this reference/paragraph/word?
- What point is the author making by choosing to write in this way?
- The author references this thing in order to …
- The references serve to emphasize the author's point that…
Perspective and POV
- How does this character view this thing?
- Which answer describes this section of the text?
This second way of asking the question may lead the student to think it's asking for a summary. However, the answer choices will only have options that are different possible points of view. This way of asking is uncommon but can occur.
Optimal Technique to Solve
To approach these questions effectively, follow these steps:
- Read the entire question carefully.
- Go back to the relevant part of the passage.
- Read the context until you can answer for yourself why the author might have made this choice as opposed to another.
- Once you have a rough idea, then go back to the answer choices.
- Use Process of Elimination to find the right answer.
By following these techniques, you'll be able to understand questions on the author's intentions, perspective and POV.