Point of view shapes the way we see the world. Whether we are reading a novel, analyzing historical events, or interpreting media, our understanding is influenced by the lens through which information is presented. Developing the ability to recognize, analyze, and evaluate different points of view is not just an academic skill—it is a life skill that prepares students to navigate an increasingly complex world.

As readers, understanding point of view allows us to critically assess narratives, uncover bias, and build empathy for different perspectives. In life, this skill helps us engage in meaningful discussions, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively in diverse settings. That’s why teaching point of view and perspective through a structured progression—from surface to deep to transfer learning—is essential for developing future-ready learners.

By guiding students through this progression, we equip them to comprehend texts and apply their analytical skills beyond the classroom. Whether evaluating conflicting news reports, considering multiple sides of an argument, or crafting their narratives, students must be prepared to think critically and flexibly. Engaging at all three levels of rigor ensures they are ready to meet the demands of a world that requires adaptability, discernment, and open-mindedness.

Understanding the Standards

To fully grasp the importance of these standards, it’s essential to understand the progression of skills students develop in earlier grades and where they are headed.

Anchor Standard 6: Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.

In the primary grades, students begin their journey by identifying who is telling a story and distinguishing their point of view from that of a narrator or character (RL.1.6, RL.2.6). They also learn to recognize different perspectives in informational texts (RI.2.6). As they progress through the intermediate grades, students refine their ability to analyze how a narrator’s or author’s perspective influences the way events are described (RL.4.6, RI.4.6). By fifth grade, students are expected to compare multiple accounts of the same event or topic (RI.5.6) and analyze how a narrator’s perspective shapes a story (RL.5.6).

Beyond fifth grade, students deepen their analysis by examining how an author’s purpose influences meaning (RI.6.6) and how a narrator’s point of view creates effects like irony or suspense (RL.6.6). In high school, students engage in sophisticated critiques of how perspective shapes argumentation, literary style, and rhetoric.

  • CCSS.RI.5.6: Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in their viewpoints.
  • CCSS.RL.5.6: Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described.

Both of these standards require students to think beyond the surface and explore how perspective shapes information. RI.5.6 challenges students to examine multiple sources on the same topic, while RL.5.6 pushes them to recognize how a narrator or character influences the reader’s understanding of events. These skills set the foundation for critical thinking and media literacy, which are crucial in today’s information-rich world.

Progression from Surface to Deep to Transfer

Surface Learning: Building Foundational Knowledge

At the surface level, students need to grasp key vocabulary and concepts related to point of view. Activities at this level help them build a foundational understanding of perspective before diving into deeper analysis.

  • Learning Targets at the Surface Level:
    • Identify the narrator or speaker in a literary text.
    • Determine whether an informational text presents multiple viewpoints.
    • Define and distinguish between first-person, third-person limited, and third-person omniscient narration.
    • Recognize explicit statements that indicate an author’s or character’s perspective.
  • Example Activities:
    • Sorting Activity: Provide students with excerpts from various texts and have them categorize each by the type of narration (first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient).
      Think-Pair-Share: Give students two short articles on the same event with different perspectives. Have them highlight words or phrases that show the author’s stance.
      Point of View Rewrite: Take a short passage and ask students to rewrite it from a different point of view (e.g., change a first-person narrative to third-person limited).

Deep Learning: Analyzing and Connecting Concepts

Once students develop a foundational understanding, they can begin to analyze, compare, and evaluate perspectives.

  • Learning Targets at the Deep Level:
    • Compare and contrast the point of view of two authors writing about the same topic.
    • Explain how an author’s word choice reveals bias or perspective.
    • Analyze how a narrator’s perspective influences the reader’s interpretation of a story.
    • Determine how the portrayal of an event changes depending on who is telling the story.
  • Example Activities:
    • Venn Diagram Comparison: Have students read two accounts of a historical event (one from a textbook and one from a primary source). Use a Venn diagram to compare similarities and differences in perspective.
    • Debate the Perspective: Assign different perspectives to groups of students (e.g., loyalists vs. patriots in the American Revolution) and have them debate how their side would describe the event.
    • Narrator Perspective Study: Use a mentor text (such as Wonder by R.J. Palacio) to examine how different character perspectives shape the reader’s understanding.

Transfer Learning: Applying Knowledge in New Contexts

At the transfer level, students apply their understanding of perspective to real-world contexts and novel situations. They begin using their analytical skills to critique sources, produce their own arguments, and recognize bias in everyday media.

  • Learning Targets at the Transfer Level:
    • Evaluate how point of view impacts credibility in real-world media (news articles, blogs, documentaries).
    • Synthesize multiple perspectives to form and justify an argument.
    • Create a narrative that shifts perspectives to highlight how point of view changes meaning.
  • Example Activities:
    • Media Bias Analysis: Have students find two different news reports covering the same event and analyze how language, tone, and detail choices reflect the author’s perspective.
    • Perspective-Based Writing: Ask students to write a story about a school rule from two different perspectives (e.g., a student and a principal) to show how viewpoint influences storytelling.
    • Mock Trial: Assign students roles as journalists, witnesses, and historians in a mock trial of a historical event. Each must present their viewpoint based on their assigned perspective.

Perspective Counts!

In an era of information overload, the ability to critically analyze point of view and perspective is crucial. The credibility of information is constantly being challenged, and students must learn to discern bias, recognize unreliable sources, and construct well-supported arguments. These skills empower readers to be thoughtful consumers of news, social media, and literature, equipping them to engage in informed discourse. By developing a deep understanding of how perspective shapes meaning, students grow into informed citizens who can navigate complex narratives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Advance literacy and justice for all here!

References

  • Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. Routledge.
  • Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a theory of culturally relevant pedagogy. American Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 465-491.
  • National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Washington D.C.: Authors.