Final answer:
Without the text of the excerpt, it's speculative to determine the author's viewpoint and purpose. Generally, first-person narratives tend to recount personal experiences, while neutral or critical tones aim to inform or persuade. The actual content of "Bone Detective Boiler Ranging" would be essential to provide a definitive answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining the author's viewpoint and purpose, it is essential to reflect on the content and style of the writing. The author might write to persuade, inform, entertain, describe, or explain. The intent behind the writing plays a crucial role, whether the document provides a factual account of an event or is meant to persuade the reader. Moreover, when a first-person narrative is employed, it can influence the reader's perception, and the claims made by the narrator might reflect a bias versus a factual statement. As the author recounts a conflict—such as Twain's in running a crossing in the presence of distracters—the narrative can become more personal, which offers insights into the author's experiences and perspectives. Considering the provided excerpt title "Bone Detective Boiler Ranging" without the text itself, it is challenging to determine the exact viewpoint and purpose. However, if the content includes a personal recount of challenges faced during an investigation, much like Twain's, it would suggest a narrative with a personal experience element. If the content critiques methods or historical events, it may aim to inform or persuade with a critical tone. In the absence of the actual excerpt, we can only speculate on the author's purpose. Generally, narratives that describe a personal journey signal the author's aim to recount a personal experience, while factual descriptions or critiques align more with informing or persuading readers. Without concrete evidence from the text, a definitive answer on the author's purpose cannot be provided.