Praxis Reading

Praxis Reading is a foundational subject that prepares future educators to master reading comprehension, analysis, and practical application for the Praxis teacher certification exam.

Basic Concepts

Interpreting Author’s Purpose and Point of View

Grasping Why Authors Write

Authors write with a purpose—whether to inform, persuade, entertain, or express feelings. Understanding this purpose, along with the author's point of view, helps readers decode meaning beyond the words.

Determining Purpose

  • To Inform: Presents facts or explains.
  • To Persuade: Tries to convince the reader.
  • To Entertain: Tells a story or amuses.
  • To Express: Shares thoughts or feelings.

Identifying Point of View

The point of view can be first person ("I," "we"), second person ("you"), or third person ("he," "she," "they"), and it shapes how information is presented.

Significance in Teaching

Teachers help students question why a text was written and consider how the author’s perspective influences the message—vital for critical literacy.

Connecting to Real Life

Understanding purpose and point of view is key for analyzing news, ads, and online content—skills students need in the modern world.

Examples

  • A class debates whether a news article is meant to inform or persuade.

  • Students identify first-person narration in a memoir and discuss how it affects the story.

In a Nutshell

Understanding the author's purpose and point of view deepens comprehension and helps students become wise, critical readers.

Interpreting Author’s Purpose and Point of View - Praxis Reading Content | Practice Hub