Question

Read the excerpt from The Time Traveler’s Guide to Elizabethan England.

The purpose of fasting on Wednesdays is specifically to encourage the eating of fish, to support the fishing industry. People therefore respond differently. Some households uphold the old religious fasts during Advent and Lent, as if they are still observing the religious law; others ignore Advent but observe the Lenten fast. Still others ignore Wednesdays and just fast on Fridays and Saturdays.

Why does the author use third-person point of view in this excerpt?

The author wants to present factual information effectively.
The author wants to draw the reader deeper into the experience.
The author wants to directly address the audience.
The author wants to persuade the reader of his idea.

Answer 1

The author wants to present factual information effectively.

Using third-person here creates an objective, general overview (e.g., "People... Some households... others..."), which is suited to conveying facts about common practices rather than directly addressing or persuading the reader.