Objective: Today I will analyze point of view using a PowerPoint and class discussion.

Point of View Song by Flocabulary

What is Point of View? Attempt to make an inference based on the cartoon below. Turn and discuss with your elbow partner.

What is Author’s Point of View? When an author writes, he/she will have his/her point of view on the subject. Point of view is an author’s opinion about the subject.

Point of View in a Story… Six blind men were taken into the presence of a large creature and asked to describe its appearance. Together they approached it, investigated and then reported what they had found: The first man said, “It is flexible and long and round like the wide body of a giant snake.” The second man said, “No. It is flat and wide and thin like parchment paper.” The third man said, “You both are wrong. It is long and curved and hard as bone.” The fourth man said, “What? All of you are wrong. It is thick and strong and immovable like the rough trunk of a aged tree.” The fifth man said, “Absolutely not. It is vast—so wide a man cannot grasp it with both arms—and powerful and covered with skin that is wrinkled like the broad brow of an old man.” The sixth man said, “Not one of you has it right in the least! It is thin and round and flexible, ending in a knot of hair like the rough fibers of an unwoven rope.” “What can this creature be?” they all cried out. “What manner of best can be all of these things together?”

What is it?? Turn and talk! AN ELEPHANT! The elephant, though it is still the same animal, looks vastly different depending on one’s perspective just as a narrative, though it is still the same story, looks vastly different depending on one’s point of view.

Author’s Point of View The author will want you to see the topic from his/her point of view or through his/her eyes. In many instances, you will be able to tell if the author is FOR or AGAINST something. In other reading, the author’s point of view might not be obvious.

What Point of View is the Story Being Told in?

First Person First-Person Point of View is when we see the story from one characters point of view. The word “I”, “my”, “me” and “we” are used. You only know what the narrator sees, thinks or feels. EX: She told me that the party was at 8pm. I went to pick up my friends and we went in my car.

Second Person Second-Person Point of View is when we see both points of view and know what other people are experiencing. The use of "you " and he and she is used. 2 nd person isn’t used much! EX: To get to the party, you must first take a left, then you must take a right. Stop when you see the blue house; you’re there.

What is Third Person? A Monologue in Third Person

Third Person Third-Person Point of View is when a non- active person is telling the story and we see all points of view. He, She, It, They… A third-person narrator is an outside observer and an tell you how all the characters think or feel and what they see. EX: She was told that the party was at 8pm and felt she should go. She picked up her friends and they all went together.

Third Person Objective The narrator (who is not a character in the story) is telling about what they see and hear, but never about what the characters think or feel.

Third Person Limited The narrator (who is not a character in the story) tells us what they see and hear, and also what the thoughts and feelings are of ONE character in the story.

Third Person - Omniscient Third narrator speaks using "he" or "she" rather than "I," again, and we hear the thoughts and feelings of MORE THAN ONE (maybe even all) the characters in the story. A lot of times, it's compared to an “all knowing eye” that floats over and sees everything.

There Are Always Two Sides to the Story… Have you ever heard anyone say, “There are two sides to every story?” What do you think this means? It means that for every situation, there are different “points of view” depending on who you are and how you are looking at the situation. It also depends on your background, your beliefs and your experiences.

The Point of View shows the perspective of the story “That rotten wolf tried to eat us!!!!” “I was framed! I just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar!”

Now You Try It! You will now be divided into two groups and I will give you specific instructions. We will then read a passage out loud in class and have a class discussion.

Instructions for Groups: Two groups: – one “burglars” – one “real estate agents” – …both have different viewpoints as they read the story and will recall different information.

The House - By Laurie Henry As I entered the front door, the marble floor glistened before me. The entryway opened to a grand staircase, which wound its way to the second level. My heels clicked across the cold, white floor as I proceeded to the living room on my left. A giant fireplace stretched across one end of the room. The impressive mantelpiece showcased a golden egg and porcelain figurines. A painting of sunflowers hung on the center of the wall. The white carpeting looked as if it had never been stepped on, and the entertainment center sprawled across the back wall. I turned around to face the dining room. A golden chandelier hung above a great mahogany table. A bank of French doors opened to a wrap-around deck at the back of the house. A lighted hutch contained crystal goblets and gold-edged dinnerware. Proceeding down the hallway, I discovered a custom kitchen on my left, opposite the far end of the dining room. The sleek counters were free of clutter. Cabinets hung on every inch of wall space. A breakfast nook looked out over the back garden. I soon retraced my steps to the entryway and ascended the stairs. A short hallway welcomed me to the second level of the house. To my left and at the front of the house was a small bedroom set up as a home office. The remainder of the upstairs consisted of a master bedroom suite. Two walk-in closets flanked the entrance to the master bedroom. No doubt, one closet was for him and the other one was for her. The matching bedroom furniture consisted of two dressers and night stands on either side of a four-poster bed. A wooden chest sat atop each dresser. A large bathroom sat off to the right side with double sinks inside. A whirlpool tub and shower stall lined the far wall. I slowly retreated and returned to the lower level and out the front door. I shall return to this exquisite abode!

Discussion : What were the different “perspectives” or points of view? How did each group’s “point of view” change the story? Can you think of another example of how two different “points of view” are different?