1. Narrator’s Perspective
Point of View

2. F.O.A. (Bellwork)
Which point of view makes for the best story? Why?

3. Assignment
Do No. 5 on page 801. You need to make a Venn Diagram to answer the question.
Take 15 minutes to do this quietly.

4. Narrator Characters The one who tells the story
Everyone else in the story
What’s the narrator’s position in the story?
Or, what is the narrator’s POINT OF VIEW.

5. First-Person Narration
The Story
Characters
I or We
the
Narrator
The narrator is involved in the story.

6. First-Person tells “me” or “my” story.
Example
I went to the store with my friend. The clerk said, “Hi.” We bought candy and left.
Who is telling the story?
In First-Person the narrator is “I” or “we.”

7. Second-Person Narration
The Story
You
the
Reader
Characters
(if any)
The reader’s actions are narrated.

8. Second-Person tells “your” story. Example
You stayed up late last night and now you’re tired, but you need to pass this class.
From whose perspective is the story told?
In Second-Person the perspective of “you” is narrated.
It is mainly used for instruction or directions.

9. Third-Person Narration
The Story
Narrator
Characters
“He”
“She”
“They”
The narrator is outside of the story.

10. Third-Person tells “his” or “her” story.
Also will refer to characters by name
Example
Chris loved basketball. Everyday he played after school. When it got dark, he watched it on TV.
From whose perspective is the story told?
In Third-Person the perspective of “he” or “she” is narrated.

11. Dialogue & Narration Dialogue = When characters speak.
Narration = When the narrator speaks.
I went home. My mom said, “Did you get out early?” I said, “No.”
ONLY LOOK AT THE NARRATION,
Or you’ll get confused.

12. Review 1st Person = Narrator tells the story of “I”
2nd Person = Narrator tells the story of “you”
3rd Person = Tells the story of “he” or “she”

13. Remember! “I” am the first-person in the story.
“He” & “She”
3rd-Person
“You”
2nd-Person
“I” am the first-person in the story.
“You” are the second-person.
“He” and “she” are the third.

14. Modes of Third-Person Narration
Telling the Story

15. Dialogue and Narration
Dialogue: characters’ “voices”
Narration: the narrator’s voice
She said, “Hey, you!”
We are interested in narration.

16. Third-Person Narration
Narrator tells “his” or “her” story.
Three Types of 3rd-Person:
Limited
Omniscient
Objective

17. What’s the Difference? I feel sad.
Character
Narrator
He felt sad.
Are characters’ inner thoughts narrated?
Does narrator reveal thoughts and feelings?

18. 3rd-Person Objective Internal thoughts are not told.
Readers may INFER thoughts and feelings based on actions or dialogue.
Chris slowly walked up to Elma with his hands behind his back. “So… you want to go with me,” he said nervously. Elma blushed. “Ok.” Chris smiled.
Characters’ internal thoughts not narrated.

19. 3rd-Person Objective: No characters’ thoughts.
So, you want to go with me?
Ok.
Chris
Elma
3rd-Person Objective: No characters’ thoughts.

20. 3rd-Person Limited
Narrator reveals thoughts and feelings of one character.
Chris liked Elma since the third-grade, but he had never found the nerve to tell her. But one sunny day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma blushed and said, “Ok” Chris smiled.
Tells his internal thoughts
Internal Narration is limited to Chris

21. 3rd-Person Limited: One character’s thoughts.
I like Elma.
Ok.
So, you want to go with me?
Chris
Elma
3rd-Person Limited: One character’s thoughts.

22. Omni = All Scient = Knowing
3rd-Person Omniscient
Omni = All Scient = Knowing
Omniscient narrators tell more than one character’s thoughts or feelings.
Chris had liked Elma since the third-grade. Little did he know that Elma liked him too. They both admired one another from a far, and waited. One day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma felt her stomach sink. She couldn’t believe it. Blushing, she said, “Ok.” Chris smiled.
Omniscient narrator is all-knowing.

23. 3rd-Person Omniscient: Two or more characters’ thoughts.
Oh, I like Chris.
I like Elma.
Ok.
Elma
Chris
Want to go with me?
3rd-Person Omniscient: Two or more characters’ thoughts.

24. Telling the Difference
Focus on the narration.
Circle any narrated thoughts or feelings.
Count each characters’ thoughts.
Only THIRD-PERSON has these modes.
There is no first or second-person objective, omniscient, or limited narration.

25. Signal Words Knew Felt Contemplated Thought Understood Believed
Reflected

26. Practice I will read ten paragraphs from ten books.
You will determine whether the narrator’s perspective is first, second, or third-person in each text.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

27.  Every day my dad is mad for the first fifteen or twenty minutes after he arrives home from work. I have no idea what his problem is, and he refuses to tell me. Every time I try to ask him what is up with his behavior, he gets mad at me and starts slamming doors for no apparent reason. 1. Which point of view does the author use in this story?
A. first person B. second person
C. third person D. third person limited

28. When you get to be 15 or 16 years old, your life starts to change drastically. You're just a little older, but people are starting to treat you more like they treat adults. Unfortunately, they still treat you like a child too. 2. Which point of view does the author use in this story?
A. second person B. first person
C. shifts between first and second person D. third person

29. 30. Which passage below is written in first person?
A. The cat heard a loud crash and looked around. A boy stood completely frozen in shock. The shards of the vase encircled his feet, lying on the ground.
B. I wanted to tell her that I broke the vase, but I knew Mom would be mad. Instead, I kept quiet and let the cat take the blame. It was easier this way.

30. Assignment
Write three paragraphs: One will use third-person limited, and one will use third-person omniscient. The third paragraph will use third-person objective.