Point of View Challenge

My Aunt Helen was my favorite person in the whole world. She was my mom's sister. She got straight A's when she was a teenager, and she used to give me books to read. My father said that the books were a little too old for me, but I liked them, so he just shrugged and let me read.

• First Person

• Third Person

Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?

The bus picks up students in groups of four or five. As they walk down the aisle, people who were my middle-school lab partners or gym buddies glare at me. I close my eyes. This is what I've been dreading. As we leave the last stop, I am the only person sitting alone.

From Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak. Copyright 1999 by Laurie Halse Anderson

• First Person

• Third Person

Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?

Brian shrugged. . . .

But it ate at him. What they were going to do proved nothing. They were playing a game and it struck him that Derek did that—his whole life was that. He knew it was unfair to think of the man that way—he didn't, after all, know him very well. But he acted that way. Like it was all a game and Derek was approaching this whole business that way. Just a game.

From Gary Paulsen, The River. Copyright 1991 by Gary Paulsen

• First Person

• Third Person

Who is the speaker in this passage?

Jonas went to his own desk and began to sort through his school papers for the evening's assignment. But his mind was still on December and the coming Ceremony. Though he had been reassured by the talk with his parents, he hadn't the slightest idea what Assignment the Elders would be selecting for his future, or how he might feel about it when the day came.

From Lois Lowry, The Giver. Copyright 1993 by Lois Lowry

• Jonas

• The Elders

• A narrator that is not in this story

The following texts both describe a new restaurant.

This text is from an article in the Arcadia Herald:

Arcadia's newest restaurant, Cindy's Kitchen, serves large, healthy meals in a cozy, comfortable setting. The menu includes grilled chicken, rice and beans, and thick soups that will warm you during the winter. You won't want to leave the pleasant environment of Cindy's Kitchen.

This text is from the point of view of a customer at the restaurant:

My friends and I had to wait a long time for a table at Cindy's Kitchen. We stood outside because the restaurant was so crowded. The heater was broken, so we asked to sit beside the fireplace. Then we learned it wasn't working. I can't even remember the food because I was shivering too much!

How is the customer's point of view different from the article author's?

• The customer makes the restaurant sound like a welcoming place.

• The customer makes the restaurant sound cold and uncomfortable.

• The customer loved the food!

The following texts both describe delivering mail.

This text is from the point of view of Jodie, a mail carrier:

The weather today is perfect, so I roll down the window of the delivery van to let in the breeze. My mail delivery route takes me near the shore, so I spend the whole day breathing the wonderful ocean air. I wave to the people on the beach as I drive past.

This text is from the point of view of Adam, another mail carrier:

My route takes me through a neighborhood right along the beach. It's so beautiful when the weather is nice, but I'm always stuck delivering the mail. The rest of the world seems to be swimming, playing volleyball, or just enjoying the sun.

How is Adam's point of view different from Jodie's?

• Adam makes delivering mail in good weather sound less pleasant

• Adam shows a more grateful attitude about working in good weather.

The following texts both tell about food shopping.

This text is told from the point of view of Linda, a girl at a market:

As my father and I enter the market, a woman is handing out samples of delicious cookies baked right in the store. I can almost hear the doughnuts, cake, and brownies calling out to me. I tell my dad, "Let's not waste any time. Head for the bakery!"

This text is told from the point of view of Ms. Sullivan, a woman at a market:

Carrots for good eyesight, oranges for vitamin C, fish for low-fat protein. I stick to what I know is good for me. I steer the cart directly toward the fresh fruits and vegetables. I walk right past the sweets in the bakery without even looking at them.

How is Ms. Sullivan's point of view different from Linda's?

• Ms. Sullivan tells more about how to make delicious food.

• Ms. Sullivan tells more about buying healthy foods.

The following texts both tell about food shopping.

This text is told from the point of view of Linda, a girl at a market:

As my father and I enter the market, a woman is handing out samples of delicious cookies baked right in the store. I can almost hear the doughnuts, cake, and brownies calling out to me. I tell my dad, "Let's not waste any time. Head for the bakery!"

This text is told from the point of view of Ms. Sullivan, a woman at a market:

Carrots for good eyesight, oranges for vitamin C, fish for low-fat protein. I stick to what I know is good for me. I steer the cart directly toward the fresh fruits and vegetables. I walk right past the sweets in the bakery without even looking at them.

How is Ms. Sullivan's point of view different from Linda's?

• Jamal views the library as a place to talk with friends.

• Jamal gives reasons why talking in the library is bad.

The following texts both describe a sold-out play.

This text is from the point of view of Seth, a man who wanted to buy tickets to the play:

All my sister wanted for her birthday was to see this play. After waiting in line for hours, I took my money out of my pocket. You can imagine my dismay when the people in front of me got the last two tickets! The sold-out sign was hung right in my disappointed, weary face.

This text is from the point of view of Duncan, an actor in the play:

Our company had been performing this play for three months. We'd all dreamed of selling out the hall, but it never happened—until last night. An hour before the curtain rose, I got the amazing news that every ticket had been sold. Surprised and excited, I ran to tell the other actors.

How is Duncan's point of view different from Seth's?

• Duncan describes his excitement that the show is sold out?

• Duncan describes his worry about whether the show will sell out.

Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?

Harry didn't know anything about the wizard prison, though everyone he'd ever heard speak of it did so in the same fearful tone. Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper, had spent two months there only last year. Harry wouldn't soon forget the look of terror on Hagrid's face when he had been told where he was going, and Hagrid was one of the bravest people Harry knew.

From J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Copyright 1999 by J. K. Rowling

• First Person

• Third Person