Point of View

Point of View

​​What is Point of View?

• ​​Point of View is the perspective from which a story is being told.

• The narrator is the person telling the story and giving information to the reader. The narrator can be a character IN the story, or he/she could be OUTSIDE the story, reporting what is happening.

Different Points of View

First-Person Point of View

​The story is told by one of the characters.

• ​The narrator is often the main character, but is ALWAYS a character.

• ​The narrator tells the story using pronouns like I, me, we, and us.

• ​A first-person narrative gives an inner look at one character's thoughts and emotions, but excludes those of other characters.

• ​The narrator is only able to tell the reader what he/she sees, does, thinks, and feels.

​Example:

​"He's really sick, Mom," I said. "He's going to die if we don't take him to the doctor.

​

​She looked hard at me. And her eyes weren't dark anymore, so I knew she was going to tell me the truth. And trust me, there are times when the last thing you want to hear is the truth.

​The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

​Guided Practice #1:

​Which passage is written in FIRST-PERSON POINT OF VIEW?

​

​A. Juanita was both excited and nervous for her first day at her new job. She hoped she would make a good impression.

​

​B. Miles looked down at the growing pool of milk on the floor. I guess I have to grab the mop from the basement, he thought to himself.

​

​C. I grabbed my head as the freezing pain of an ice cream headache suddenly assaulted my forehead.

Multiple Choice

Choose the example that is written in FIRST-PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

• I'm looking forward to visiting my dad and step-brother in Florida this summer.

• The hot cocoa was steaming hot when Charles took his first sip of it.

• Maria was the only one brave enough to disagree with the boss, but he respected her for it.

Multiple Choice

Choose the example that is written in FIRST-PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

• Justin loved in a cabin in the woods for a year and it really made him appreciate nature.

• My greatest fear is speaking in front of a large audience, so I turned down the chance to read my poem at the school assembly.

• Although everyone at the party was too polite to say it, the host's cooking was awful.

​Read the passage and think about who is telling the story.

​I was in my room texting my best friend when my mom shouted, "Sasha! It's time for dinner!"

I sighed. I didn't want to eat dinner with the rest of my family. I wasn't hungry and I was way more interested in being on my phone. "I'm not hungry, Mom. Can I just skip dinner tonight?" I shouted back.

​ ​"No, you cannot. Get down here before I take that phone away," Mom yelled angrily.

​ ​I sighed again and went downstairs with my phone in my pocket. My brothers were already sitting at the table and so was my mom.

​ ​"I made your favorite," Mom said.

Spaghetti!

Multiple Choice

Who is the narrator in the passage you just read?

• Sasha

• Mom

• The narrator is not a character in this passage.

Different Points of View

Third-Person Point of View

​The story is told by a narrator that is NOT in the story.

• ​The narrator is outside of the action, watching what's happening.

• ​The narrator tells the story using pronouns like he, she, it, and they.

• ​A third-person narrator refers to other characters by their names.

• ​The narrator may be limited or omniscient.

​Example:

"Now that Deirdre's sixteen she thinks other people don't need to use the bathroom. Over." Riley released the button on her walkie-talkie and waited for her best friend to respond from his apartment five floors below. Nothing. She pressed the button again. "Got your ears on, Simon? Over."

​"Over and Over"

​Guided Practice #2:

​Which passage is written in THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW?

​

​A. You should arrive at the office before the meeting begins.

​

​B. Casey raced to the top of the hill and leaped into the air. She could not believe that she had made it all the way to the top!

​

​C. Clutching the shovel, I trudged through the snow to the end of the driveway. This is going to be a long day, I thought.

Multiple Choice

Choose the example that is written in THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

• Taylor ran down the long, dark corridor and fearfully glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was following her. 

• At the end of the school day, my brother and I walked two blocks to the corner store. 

• Ray filled up the buckets with water and Levi got the red and blue dye ready. I realized that I had left the white shirts inside, so I ran back in to grab them.

Multiple Choice

Choose the example that is written in THIRD-PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

• The storm chaser saw the tornado touch down a mile and a half away, so he drove towards it. 

• The group members decided that Chris would draw the comic and Marlan would write the text. 

• Everyone was impressed that the children's choir sang so beautifully.

• All of these.

Limited and Omniscient Narrators

Third-Person LIMITED Point of View:

​The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of ONE character in the story. Think of it as the narrator being inside the mind of one of the characters.

​

​Third-Person OMNISCIENT Point of View:

​The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of ALL characters in the story. Think of it as the narrator being like God, looking down on the story that's taking place.

​Guided Practice #3:

​Which passage is written in THIRD-PERSON LIMITED POINT OF VIEW?

​

​A. Mrs. Walker was delighted that her students participated in the schoolwide Talent Show.

​

​B. Although both of the candidates were friendly to each other in public, they secretly disliked each other.

​

​C. Layla worked hard to prepare for her science test but she was worried that she still wouldn't do well.

​Guided Practice #4:

​Which passage is written in THIRD-PERSON OMNISCIENT POINT OF VIEW?

​

​A. Mrs. Walker was delighted that her students participated in the schoolwide Talent Show.

​

​B. Although both of the candidates were friendly to each other in public, they secretly disliked each other.

​

​C. Layla worked hard to prepare for her science test but she was worried that she still wouldn't do well.

Multiple Choice

Which example is written using Third Person LIMITED Point of View?

• I wanted to organize a fundraiser for the soccer team, so I asked Coach Brown for help with the planning. 

• Jayla was angry at her brother. She thought he was being unfair. She didn't understand why he wouldn't let her use his bicycle.

• Some visitors to the museum thought the new art sculpture was impressive. Others found it strange and didn't like it. 

Multiple Choice

Which example is written using Third Person OMNISCIENT Point of View?

• I wanted to organize a fundraiser for the soccer team, so I asked Coach Brown for help with the planning. 

• Jayla was angry at her brother. She thought he was being unfair. She didn't understand why he wouldn't let her use his bicycle.

• Some visitors to the museum thought the new art sculpture was impressive. Others found it strange and didn't like it. 

Multiple Choice

As the children drifted off to sleep,  each of them dreamed of all the wonderful Christmas gifts that would be waiting under the tree in the morning. 

This example uses Third Person __________ Point of View. 

• Limited

• Omniscient

Multiple Choice

Carlos felt surprised and excited when he heard that he was nominated for Student Council. He couldn't wait to share the news with his parents. They'll be so proud, he thought to himself.

This example uses Third Person __________ Point of View. 

• Limited

• Omniscient

Multiple Choice

Taylor thought it would be a great idea to collect donations for the homeless shelter. She didn't realize that Sydney was doing the same thing. 

This example uses Third Person __________ Point of View. 

• Limited

• Omniscient

Poll

Rate your knowledge of Point of View...

• I completely understand Point of View. I got all answers correct and I'm confident that I would do well on a test.

• I understand Point of View and got most of the answers correct. I need more practice before taking a test.

• I sort of understand Point of View but some of it is confusing. I got a lot of answers wrong so I definitely need more practice.

• HELP!

  I don't get this AT ALL.