POINT OF VIEW

Point of View Point of view is the relationship of the narrator to the story.

First Person Point of View The narrator, or storyteller, is a character in the story. The key words are “I” or “we.” EXAMPLE: – Bob and I went to the store, and I bought a bag of chips and a soda. Then, we went to a soccer game.

Third Person Objective Point of View The narrator, or storyteller, is NOT a character in the story and does NOT know the thoughts or feelings of any of the characters. The key words for this point of view are the pronouns “he,” “she,” or “it.” EXAMPLE: – Jasmine had the radio on when the storm warning was issued. She went into action immediately. Running up the stairs two at a time, she shook her brother and sister awake. She helped them put on shoes and grab sweatshirts.

Third Person Limited Point of View The narrator, or storyteller, is limited to relating the thoughts and feelings of one character, almost as if he or she were inside the character’s head. The key words for this point of view are the pronouns “he,” “she,” or “it.” EXAMPLE: – It was a dark and stormy night, and Amber was late getting home from her friend’s house. her steps were cautious as she walked through the woods. She then saw a man who seemed menacing marching toward her through the night. She was immediately frightened.

Third Person Omniscient Point of View The narrator, or storyteller, knows (and tells) the thoughts and feelings of ALL the characters ALL the time. Example: – Standing in the line at the bus stop, Tommy was wondering what he was going to have for lunch. Meanwhile, the bus driver was extremely frustrated that he had to wait on a passenger.

Examples of Point of View

When Sara was a little girl, she dreamed of being a teacher. She played school and wrote on her little chalkboard, read to her collection of dolls and teddy bears, and even had a special area for taking naps. When she was a teenager, Sara’s dream changed to one day becoming an actress. She wrote plays and acted them out for her family and friends. She even joined the school drama club. When she became an adult, Sara dreamed of a world without violence, and became a lawyer prosecuting criminals and getting them off the streets. But today at 11:17 P.M., Sara’s dreams were tragically shattered when she answered a knock at her door. Third Person Limited

I read about it in the paper, in the subway, on my way to work. I read it, and I couldn’t believe it, and I read it again. Then perhaps I just stared at it, and the newsprint spelling out his name, spelling out the story. I stared at it... trapped in the darkness which roared outside. (From “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin) First Person

Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there lived a little princess named Lenore. She was ten years old, going on eleven. One day Lenore felt ill because of a surfeit of raspberry tarts and took to her bed. The Royal Physician came to see her and took her temperature and felt her pulse and made her stick out her tongue. The Royal Physician was worried. He sent for the king, Lenore’s father, and the king came to see her. (From “Many Moons” by James Thurber) Third Person Omniscient

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it. “And what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations in it?” (From Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll) Third Person Limited

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away lived a little boy who was destined for greatness. “Eat your peas, Herbert,” his mother coaxed, “for you must grow big and strong if you want to join your father’s business!” Herbert’s mother had secretly begun to fret, for Herbert was missing the very thing he needed to run the family business some day  a glow! But Herbert was too excited just then to eat. “Aw, Mom, not now  watch my new air flip!” For you see, Herbert was not just an ordinary boy. Herbert was a Lampyridae: a lightening bug. And with a bedtime of 8:00 P.M., how was he supposed to know he couldn’t glow? Third Person Omniscient