What is the best practice when you encounter a question about author’s perspective?

• A. Always choose the most extreme stance.
• B. Focus on vocabulary rather than argument.
• C. Consider whose voice is represented and whether it's supported by evidence in the text.
• D. Assume the author agrees with the main character.

Answer: (C)

Understanding an author’s perspective means figuring out who is speaking in the text—the narrator or voice the author uses—and what stance they’re taking. The best approach is to look at whose voice is represented and then check whether that viewpoint is supported by evidence in the text. By focusing on voice and the actual proof the text offers—quotes, examples, data, reasoning—you can see what position the author is advocating and why.

This helps you distinguish the author’s stance from a character’s opinions and from surface cues like tone or word choice alone. It also guards against guessing or assuming the author must be extreme or in agreement with a character.

So the key idea is to identify the voice presented and verify how the text backs that perspective with evidence.