Point of View and Perspective

Videos for POV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOVMM60Sm2c

Point of View Nervously, I eyed Gwen, my competition in the election, and flashed her a gracious smile. Believe me- I wasn’t feeling very gracious. After Gwen finished her speech, I relaxed. What kind of campaign speech was that? I thought. There is no way I’ll lose now!

First Person The narrator… Is a main or minor character in the story Use the pronouns I and me Shares his or her subjective, or personal, view of other characters and events Doesn’t know the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of the other characters

Point of View Devin had trouble wiping the smile off his face as he listened to Gwen fumble through her speech. For a brief moment, he felt a wave of sympathy for her. Then Devin forgot about his opponent and started planning his acceptance speech in his head.

Third Person Limited The narrator… Is not a character in the story but an outside observer Zooms in on the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of ONE character.

Point of View Feeling confident and superior, Devin gave his opponent, Gwen, a genuine smile as she walked past him. Though Gwen returned Devin’s smile, she was suspicious of his kindness. He’s probably gloating over my mistakes, Gwen thought angrily.

Third-Person Omniscient The narrator… Is not a character in the story but an outside observer whose observations can be objective, or unbiased. Is “all knowing”- that is, he or she has access to the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of all the characters.

Point of View Devin gave his opponent, Gwen, a smile as she walked past him. Gwen returned Devin’s smile

Third Person Objective The narrator… Cannot see into the minds of any of the characters and tells only what can be directly observed. Watches and reports, without passing judgment on what is happening.

POV – It’s Your Turn…

POV Example: As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet.     The cardinal tipped his head back and drew breath to sing, but just as the first note passed his beak he heard the crack of a dead branch far below his perch high in the maple tree. Startled, he looked down, cocking his head to one side and watching with great interest while the man rattled the blades of grass as he tried to hide himself behind the tree. As the man saw her start up the hill, he moved quickly into the shelter of the huge old maple tree. If she saw him now, everything would be ruined. She thought she saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when she looked again it was gone. The man thought if he could stay hidden until she came within range, she'd have to talk to him. Wouldn't she?             The girl shuddered as she felt a silent threat pass over her. It felt like a cloud creeping over the sun.

Third person OMNISCENT Why?

POV Example: As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who was nearly always singing from the top of the maple tree. I thought I saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when I looked again it was gone. Still, I shuddered as I felt a silent threat pass over me like a cloud over the sun.

First person Why?

POV Example: As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who she so often heard singing from the top of the maple tree. She thought she saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when she looked again it was gone. Nevertheless, she shuddered as she felt a silent threat pass over her. It felt like a cloud creeping over the sun. ***** He saw her start up the hill, and he moved quickly behind the shelter of the huge old maple tree. If she saw him now, everything would be ruined, but if he could stay hidden until she came within range--well, then she'd have to talk to him. Wouldn't she?

Third person OMNISCENT Why?

POV Example: As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal who she so often heard singing from the top of the maple tree. She thought she saw a shadow move high up on the slope, but when she looked again it was gone. Nevertheless, she shuddered as she felt a silent threat pass over her. It felt like a cloud creeping over the sun.

Third person LIMITED Why?

POV Example: The girl walked up the quiet hillside.             In the top of the maple tree, the cardinal tipped his head back and drew breath to sing. A dead branch cracked on the ground below the bird's perch.             The man stepped on the branch and rattled the blades of grass as he moved behind the tree. He watched the girl come up the hillside toward him.             Her gaze shifted quickly and warily from one shadowy area high on the slope to another, and she shuddered.

Third person OBJECTIVE Why?

Videos for Perspective http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weVQhaKAk4Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTNcnJS-a2M