Point of View

​Point of View

RL 11.1 - Analyze how an author develops and contrasts points of view to impact content, meaning, and style.​

​Notice the content and language choices; they'll help you infer an author's position on a topic.

When you’re reading, you must use different clues to help you determine the author's point of view.

​Also look for clues that reflect an author's purpose, or main reason for writing, and the tone being adopted.

​Analyze facts an author includes and leaves out, the opinions expressed, and word choices.

All of these details help reveal the author's point of view - where he or she stands - on a particular topic.

1) ​I couldn't take my eyes off the rings on her fingers. The cashier scanned the grocery items across the glass, pushing them toward the bagger. Occasionally, her hands moved to the cash register, and she tapped out some mysterious code. She never smiled.

2) She had ​one ring on each finger, including her thumbs. Some were silver, some were gold, and some featured brightly colored gems. I saw flashes of red and blue. Some coiled in complex patterns, forming loops and swirls.

3) She caught me staring. I looked away embarrassed. She said, "That'll be $19.20," smacking her gum loudly. I handed her a twenty-dollar bill. I felt something unfamiliar in my hand as I took my change from her. I opened my fingers to find eighty cents and a shining silver ring that had slipped off one of her fingers.​

Multiple Choice

This passage is primarily written from which point of view?

• First person

• Second Person

• Third Person

• Fourth Person

Multiple Choice

Which words show the point of view of the passage?

• “cashier” and “bagger”

• “rings” and “fingers”

• “me” and “my”

• "her" and "she"

Multiple Choice

Which sentence indicates a first-person narrator?

• “She had one ring on each finger, including her thumbs.”

• “Some coiled in complex patterns, forming loops and swirls.”

• “...she tapped out some mysterious code.”

• “I felt something unfamiliar in my hand...”

Multiple Choice

The author chose the passage’s point of view to...

• help the reader understand the narrator’s reactions

• urge the readers to feel sorry for cashiers

• keep readers distanced from the story’s events

• give direct instructions to the reader

Poll

Read this sentence from the passage.

The cashier scanned the grocery items across the glass, pushing them toward the bagger.

On its own, what point of view does this sentence use? Explain.

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

• Fourth Person

​"Are we there yet?” Freddie asked. He was traveling to the mountains with his family and was eager for his vacation to begin. his mom told him they were still pretty far away.

​

“Why don’t you be in charge of reading out the directions?” his dad asked. Freddie agreed, only because he wanted something to do. He looked down at the directions his mother passed to him:

​

Take the interstate to Exit 4. Make a right and continue straight for 45 minutes. At the fork in the road, you will make a left. Continue down this road for approximately 30 minutes. You will see a sign for Mountain Glen Cabins. Make your next right and park in front of the office.

​

Freddie was dismayed. “Dad, it’s going to take forever to get there!” he exclaimed. How was he going to pass the time? Then he had an idea. He took out his journal and began to write:

​

​ I’m on my way to the mountains with my parents for our family vacation. I am really excited, but the drive takes so long! I can't wait to go fishing on the lake with Dad. Maybe I can even convince Mom to go waterskiing with me.

​

As Freddie wrote, his mind drifted off . He thought of all of the fun things he would do during the week. Before he knew it, the car stopped and Freddie's mom announced, "We're here!" Freddie looked out the window at the beautiful, green scenery and smiled.

Multiple Choice

The story is mainly told from a

• First Person point of view

• Second Person point of view

• Third Person point of view

• Fourth Person point of view

Multiple Choice

Which sentence best demonstrates this

point of view?

• “I am really excited, but the drive

  takes so long!”

• “His mom told him they were still

  pretty far away.”

• “At the fork in the road, you will

  make a left.”

• “I can’t wait to go fi shing on the lake

  with Dad.”

Multiple Choice

The directions are written from which

point of view?

• First Person

• Second Person

• Third Person

• Cannot be determined

Multiple Choice

Freddie’s journal entry is written

from a

• First Person point of view

• Second Person point of view

• Third Person point of view

• Fourth Person point of view

Multiple Choice

Why is this point of view effective for

writing journal entries?

• It distances the narrator from

  the action of the story.

• It shows that the narrator is honest

  and reliable.

• It lets the narrator address the

  reader directly.

• It allows the narrator to express

  personal thoughts.

Open Ended

Could this story also be told from another point of view? Identify a different point of view and explain whether it would be more or less effective in telling the story.