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NARRATION Narration is when the narrator of the story speaks. The narrator of a story is the person who is telling the story.

NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE The narrator of a story can speak using different viewpoints, or perspectives.

TYPES OF NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVES There are 5 different types of narrative perspectives that a narrator can use in a story:  First-Person  Second-Person  Third Person Limited  Third Person Objective  Third Person Omniscient

FIRST-PERSON PERSPECTIVE In first-person perspective, the narrator is telling the story as a character in the story. In first-person perspective, the narrator often uses words like me, my, I, or we, since he or she is a part of the story.

EXAMPLE OF FIRST-PERSON PERSPECTIVE As my mom handed me the grocery list, I knew what was coming. She often gave me the task of going shopping when she was too busy to do it herself. Without needing any explanation, I was out the door and on my bike, making my way to the store. Notice how the underlined words give you a clue that this story is in the first-person perspective.

SECOND-PERSON PERSPECTIVE In second-person perspective, the narrator is directly talking to you. This perspective is often used for instructions. In second-person perspective, the narrator often uses words like you or your, since he or she is talking directly to you.

EXAMPLE OF SECOND-PERSON PERSPECTIVE First, you need to make the dough. Then, you’ll need to flatten and smooth it out to the size of your choice. After that, you need to spread on the sauce. Finally, you need to add on the toppings of your preference. Notice how the underlined words give you a clue that this story is in the second-person perspective.

THIRD-PERSON PERSPECTIVE In third-person perspective, the narrator isn’t involved in the story. Instead, he or she tells the story of another person or other people. In third-person perspective, the narrator often uses words like he, she, they, or other characters’ names, since he or she isn’t a part of the story.

TYPES OF THIRD-PERSON PERSPECTIVE There are three different types of third-person perspective:  Third-person limited  Third-person objective  Third-person omniscient

THIRD-PERSON OMNISCIENT In third-person omniscient, the narrator is all-knowing. He reveals the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. omni = all scient = knowing

EXAMPLE OF THIRD-PERSON OMNISCIENT Betty didn’t know what she should do. Mike’s words had intrigued her, but she wasn’t sure if she should accept his offer. She wasn’t how things would turn out. Mike knew Betty would be hesitant. He knew that she would be stubborn. But he didn’t care how long it took her to make her decision, just as long as she made the right one. Notice how the underlined words give you a clue that this story is in the third-person perspective. And since the story reveals the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, it is third-person omniscient.

THIRD-PERSON LIMITED In third-person limited, the narrator is limited to only one character. He or she only tells the thoughts and feelings of that character.

EXAMPLE OF THIRD-PERSON LIMITED Bob was very excited when he heard the news of the family vacation. Although he knew that his family was planning a trip of some nature, he definitely wasn’t expecting anything big, anything really extravagant… He definitely wasn’t expecting anything like this. Notice how the underlined words give you a clue that this story is in the third-person perspective. And since the story only reveals the thoughts and feelings of one character, it is third-person limited.

THIRD-PERSON OBJECTIVE In third-person objective, the narrator doesn’t tell any thoughts or feelings of any characters. He or she only tells the actions and words of the characters.

EXAMPLE OF THIRD-PERSON OBJECTIVE Tim quickly slammed the front door and dashed into his room as fast as he possibly could. After making sure the door to his room was shut, he pulled out the note from inside his pocket and started to read. Notice how the underlined words give you a clue that this story is in the third-person perspective. And since the story doesn’t reveal any thoughts or feelings of the characters, it is third-person objective.

IDENTIFYING NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE TIPS Use these tips to help you as you identify the narrator’s perspective:

IDENTIFYING NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE TIPS  Focus only on the narration, and not on the dialogue! (Dialogue is what the characters say, which is in quotation marks.)  First, find out if it is first-, second-, or third-person perspective before finding out if it is omniscient, limited, or objective.

IDENTIFYING NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE TIPS  Ask yourself: “Whose story is the narrator telling?” First-Person Perspective The narrator is telling his/her own story. Second-Person Perspective The narrator is telling your story; what you should do. Third-Person Perspective The narrator is telling someone else’s story.

IDENTIFYING NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE TIPS  Look for these key words the narrator speaks: First-Person Perspective I, me, we, us, my, our (since the narrator is part of the story.) Second-Person Perspective you, your (since the narrator is talking directly to YOU.) Third-Person Perspective he, she, they, them, him, her, characters’ names (since the narrator is NOT a part of story.)

PRACTICE

PRACTICE IDENTIFYING NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in each story? Write your answers down on a sheet of paper.

1 It was 3:30 in the morning. I definitely wasn’t ready to get up yet, but I knew that if I was going to catch my flight in time, I would have to. I knew that I would probably be tired all day, but when I got to my destination, I knew it would all be worth it. I couldn’t wait! Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in this story?

2 Jane was mad at Sue because she had lied. She had thought that Sue had been her best friend, and that best friends wouldn’t lie to each other. Evidently, she had been wrong. Meanwhile, Sue was unaware of how exactly Jane felt. She knew that she would probably be mad, and she hated to have to lie to her best friend—if Jane would even consider them friends after what had happened. She sighed, deep in thought about what she had done. Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in this story?

3 First, make sure you have all the tools and parts you need. Then, you’ll need to assemble the model car. You have to first insert the axels into the base, and then glue the wheels onto the axels. Then, you need to let the glue dry. After letting the glue dry, you can then decorate the car by painting it however you choose. Finally, once you’ve finished decorating your car, you’re done and ready to race! Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in this story?

4 When the gun fired, all of the runners took off at top speed. Ben stumbled as he started, leaving him behind most of the other runners, but as he recovered and gradually picked up speed, soon, he was behind only the person in the front. The finish line was coming up quickly—the race was only a short sprint, after all. With a burst of energy, Ben passed the front runner just before he crossed the finish line. He had won! Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in this story?

5 “Open it,” my parents both said, pointing to the gift that was in my hands. I had no idea what could possibly be inside. I tore open the paper, and instantly, once I saw the box inside, I knew. I was shocked and surprised beyond words. I couldn’t believe it! Can you figure out which perspective the narrator is using in this story?

ANSWERS 1. First-person 2. Third-person omniscient 3. Second-person 4. Third-person objective 5. First-person

GREAT JOB! You now know about the different types of narrative perspective and how to figure out which perspective is being used. As you’re reading, see if you can identify which perspective is being used by the narrator in the story!