Collection 3: Truth and Consequences

Point of View There are three main points of view used in stories: First Person (I, Me, We) Second Person (You) Third Person (He, She, They, Them, It)

Narrator and Voice When one reads a story, one hears somebody telling that story. That person is the narrator. The events of the story are influenced by the narrator and a good reader should take that into consideration.

Omniscient Point of View Omniscient means “all knowing.” The narrator is not a character in the story. It usually uses 3 rd person, i.e. “he, she, it, they, them” when describing the characters. The narrator knows what each character is thinking and what his/her motivations are.

Limited Point of View The storyteller focuses on the perspective of one character. The narrator describes what this character thinks and feels. The narrator does not know what the other characters are thinking and feeling. Still told using 3 rd person.

Persona Persona is the “narrator” in a first person story. This is a story told using I, Me, or We. A persona usually has a Limited point of view. In other words, the reader only knows the persona’s thoughts and emotions.

Credible Narrator This is a narrator whom the reader can trust to tell the story accurately.

Unreliable Narrator This is a narrator whom the reader cannot trust. The narrator may have a problem perceiving the world. The narrator may be purposely lying to deceive the reader. The narrator may have incomplete information about the other characters.

Voice The writer’s use of language and overall style of telling a story.

Diction The writers choice of specific words to describe the characters and setting.

Syntax The methods the author uses to vary the sentence construction and complexity.

Pace The speed at which new events and characters are introduced in a story.

Surprise Ending When the story concludes in an unexpected yet logical way. The ending changes the readers perspective about the characters and/or setting.