Point of View

Match the following points of view with their descriptions.

• The narrator is a character in the story, using 'I' or 'we'.

• second person

• The narrator addresses the reader as 'you'.

• first person

• The narrator is outside the story, using 'he', 'she', or 'they'.

• third person

Match the following points of view with their descriptions.

• third person omniscient

• The narrator shares ALL characters' thoughts and feelings.

• third person objective

• The narrator only shares ONE character's thoughts/feelings.

• third person limited

• The narrator reports actions and dialogue without sharing character(s) thoughts or feelings.

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

"The sea is smooth," Ramo said. "It is a flat stone without any scratches."

My brother liked to pretend that one thing was another.

"The sea is not a stone without scratches," I said. "It is water and no waves."

"To me it is a blue stone," he said. "And far away on the edge of it is a small cloud which sits on the stone."

*From Scott O'Dell, Island of the Blue Dolphins. Copyright 1960 by Scott O'Dell

• first person

• second person

• third person

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

You're in the sun, and your father isn't, selling everything from beans to furniture. He's always working. . . . Sometimes the travelers come for Friday night supper and everyone talks and laughs and there's dancing. You can tap dance, and so can Maisie, and the two of you spin and whirl and tap until you can hardly breathe anymore.

*From Anne Landsman, Rowing Lesson. Copyright 2007 by Anne Landsman

• first person

• second person

• third person

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

Ford stared at Arthur, who began to think that perhaps he did want to go to the Horse and Groom after all.

"But what about my house . . . ?" he asked plaintively.

Ford looked across to Mr. Prosser, and suddenly a wicked thought struck him.

"He wants to knock your house down?"

*From Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Copyright 1979 by Douglas Adams

• first person

• second person

• third person

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

On the next morning the stone was on the breakfast table. It sat at his place, an accusation. Oscar's heart raced. He thought himself discovered. . . .

"A pretty stone," Theophilus said, after Oscar said grace.

"Yes, Father."

"Where did you find it?"

Theophilus was sprinkling sugar on his porridge. He had a sweet tooth. He sprinkled sugar quite gaily, giving no sign of the terrible anxiety that gripped him.

*From Peter Carey, Oscar and Lucinda. Copyright 1988 by Peter Carey

• third person limited

• second person

• third person omniscient

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

"Hi, Mr. Tushman, it's so nice to see you again," said Mom. "This is my son, August."

Mr. Tushman looked right at me and smiled and nodded. He put his hand out for me to shake.

"Hi, August," he said, totally normally. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hi," I mumbled, dropping my hand into his hand while I looked down at his feet. He was wearing red Adidas.

*From R. J. Palacio, Wonder. Copyright 2012 by R. J. Palacio

• first person

• second person

• third person

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

Fern came almost every day to visit him. . . . Here she sat quietly during the long afternoons, thinking and listening and watching Wilbur. The sheep soon got to know her and trust her. So did the geese, who lived with the sheep. All the animals trusted her, she was so quiet and friendly. . . . It made her happy just to be near the pig, and it made Wilbur happy to know that she was sitting there, right outside his pen.

*From E. B. White, Charlotte's Web. Copyright 1952 by E. B. White

• third person omniscient

• third person limited

• third person objective

What narrative perspective is employed in the following passage?

He wandered through the bustling city, observing the vibrant life around him. The streets seemed to hum with energy, and he felt connected to the pulse of the urban landscape. For once, he felt at home.

• first person

• second person

• third person limited

• third person omniscient

Which of the following is an example of third person objective narration?

1. Emelyn felt nervous as she entered the room, wondering if she would be accepted.

2. Logan entered the room and looked around. People were talking and laughing.

3. Yadhiel thought about his past mistakes as he walked into the room.

• 3

• 1

• 2