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Point of View When writing or reading a story, it is important to consider WHO is telling the story. Looking at the perspective can help us see if we are receiving all of the information, or only a piece of it; if our author wants us to sympathize with one character over another; or if the story we are being told is even the truth. As writers, it is important to consider point of view when thinking about your writing, because each type can create a different effect.
Point of View • The perspective through which a story is told.
First Person • Narrator is the person who is experiencing the story. • Primarily uses “I” • Makes the story more personal and in-the-moment • Can lead to limited information/perspective
Unreliable narrator: 1st person narrator who is biased/untrustworthy
Second Person • Narrator is telling what is happening to the reader • Uses “you” • Primarily “choose your own adventure” books • Makes you feel like you are experiencing the story yourself
“You start out after you have gone from kindergarten to sheepskin covered with sundry Latin phrases. At least you know what you want life to give you. A career as fixed and as calmly brilliant as the North Star. The one real thing that money buys. Time. Time to do things. A house that can be as delectably out of order and as easily put in order as the doll-house of "playing-house" days. And of course, a husband you can look up to without looking down on yourself. Somehow you feel like a kitten in a sunny catnip field that sees sleek, plump brown field mice and yellow baby chicks sitting coyly, side by side, under each leaf. A desire to dash three or for ways seizes you. That's Youth.”
Third Person P.O.V.s • Narrator is outside of story, describing events • Uses “he/she/them”
Third Person: Omniscient • Narrator is outside of story, describing events • Can see into every character’s head • Uses “he/she/them” • Allows reader to see the thoughts of multiple characters, for a more complete understanding of the story
Ex: He held her close, savoring the smell of her hair. Finally, they could be together forever. “At last,” he whispered. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.” She was disgusted. Resisting the urge to vomit on this stalker who had kidnapped her, she focused on pulling the gun sticking out of the back of his pants. She put her arms around his dirty form, and he sighed into her hair. Clenching her teeth, she felt her fingers touch cold metal. “I love you too,” she murmured, and grasped the gun.
Third Person: Limited • Narrator is outside of story, describing events • Can see into one character’s head • Uses “he/she/them” • Middle ground between 1st and 3rd person omni. • More engaging than omniscient, but more informative and open than first person
Ex: He held her close, savoring the smell of her hair. Finally, they could be together forever. “At last,” he whispered. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.” She put her arms around him, and he sighed in contentment. “I love you too,” she murmured. Nothing in his life had ever been so perfect as this moment.
Third Person: Objective • Narrator is outside of story, describing events • Can see into none of the characters’ heads • Uses “he/she/them” • Forces reader to make his/her own conclusions about what is happening in the story • Writers functions as a reporter
Ex: He held her close. “At last,” he said. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.” She put her arms around him, and he sighed. “I love you too,” she said, her hand touching the gun sticking out of the waistband of his pants.
