4. Whatâs the
difference?
The
difference
lies in point
of view.
5. Point of View
The narratorâs position in the story.
story
Three main types:
1. First person
2. Second person
3. Third person
Who is
telling the
story?
6. First Person
âą Point of view from someone inside of
the story.
âą Uses pronouns âI,â âwe,â âus,â
âoursâ
7. Third Person
âą Point of view from someone outside
of the story.
âą Uses pronouns âhe,â âshe,â âthey,â
etc.
8. What is second-person, then?
âą Second-person point of view uses the
pronouns âyouâ and âyour.â
â âYou walk inside and see a terrible sight.â
âą Uncommon in literature.
âą Most common in written
directions, like recipes and
instruction manuals.
9. Remember:
Character dialogue does not reveal the point of
view. Ignore the use of âI,â âyou,â âhe,â or
âsheâ within quotes.
Point of view is only revealed in the narrationâ
the text outside of quotes that tells the story.
10. Practice
What is the point of view?
Most of the kids ignored Julio. A few of the
girls looked him over with interest, but nobody
spoke or even smiled. They seemed to pay
more attention to the fresh snow that was
falling than to the discussion on polynomials.
11. Practice
What is the point of view?
Most of the kids ignored Julio. A few of the
girls looked him over with interest, but nobody
spoke or even smiled. They seemed to pay
more attention to the fresh snow that was
falling than to the discussion on polynomials.
Third Person
The narrator is not a character in the story. They
are the observer.
12. Practice
What is the point of view?
Iâm terrified of water. I took swimming
when I was little like everyone else, but I
never learned.
13. Practice
What is the point of view?
Iâm terrified of water. I took swimming
when I was little like everyone else, but I
never learned.
First Person:
We can see the characterâs own thoughts
from her perspective.