Final answer:
Personal experience is the most important element that shapes an author's perspective on a topic or issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element that is most important in shaping an author's perspective on a topic or issue is personal experience. This is because an author's personal experiences, beliefs, and values greatly influence how they view and interpret the world around them. For example, if an author has personally experienced discrimination, their perspective on social justice issues may be more personal and passionate.
While the other factors mentioned - country of origin, yearly income, and level of education - can also inform an author's perspective to some extent, personal experience carries the most weight as it provides firsthand knowledge and emotional connection to the topic or issue.
Learn more about Importance of personal experience in shaping an author's perspective