Exploring Point of View in Non-Fiction

This video tutorial explores the concept of point of view in nonfiction stories, focusing on firsthand and secondhand storytelling techniques. It defines firsthand accounts as those based on personal experiences, using pronouns like 'I' and 'we', and secondhand accounts as those based on research, using pronouns like 'he' and 'they'. Examples from Ronald Reagan's life illustrate the differences. The video also discusses why firsthand accounts might omit certain details and compares points of view in fiction and nonfiction, emphasizing the objective nature of third-person nonfiction accounts.

What pronouns are typically used in firsthand accounts?

• It, its

• You, your

• He, she, they

• I, we, me

Which of the following is an example of a secondhand story?

• Autobiography

• Biography

• Memoir

• Diary

Why might Ronald Reagan's firsthand account not mention the 77 lives he saved?

• He forgot about it

• He didn't actually save 77 lives

• He didn't think it was important

• He didn't want to seem boastful

What unique insights can you get from a firsthand account that you might not get from a secondhand account?

• Other people's opinions

• Statistics

• Historical facts

• Personal feelings and experiences

In fiction, which point of view uses the pronoun 'I'?

• Third person limited

• Second person

• Third person omniscient

• First person

Which type of point of view is commonly used in how-to guides?

• First person

• Second person

• Third person limited

• Third person omniscient

In nonfiction, which point of view is not typically used because there are no fictional characters?

• First person

• Third person omniscient

• Third person limited

• Second person

What is the main difference between firsthand and secondhand accounts?

• Firsthand is more reliable than secondhand

• Firsthand is always fictional, secondhand is always nonfictional

• Firsthand uses 'he, she, they', secondhand uses 'I, we, me'

• Firsthand is based on personal experience, secondhand is based on research

Which point of view is used when the narrator speaks directly to the reader?

• First person

• Third person omniscient

• Third person limited

• Second person

What type of account is an autobiography?

• Third person omniscient

• Secondhand

• Third person limited

• Firsthand