1. First Person Narrative

2. Impact on the reader/audience Provides access to the narrator’s point of view Allows the reader to view – thoughts, feelings motivations, intentions Information is filtered through narrator’s perspective It can provided the reader with a more intimate view of the narrator. The reader/audience can feel it is directly engaged with the speaker/narrator.

3. Example: Look at the tenses used. Why? Today the most terrible thing happened. Our beloved teacher, Miss Li, has disappeared, and so, apparently, has the school money! We had been waiting in the classroom for her when the Principal rushed in. His face was ashen. He asked us if we had seen Miss Li.

4. Example… Study the tenses. I am so upset! I cannot believe she has done this. She must have a very important reason. I am going to see what I can find out when I go for piano lessons with Miss Cheung. She is a friend of Miss Li’s and will tell me what she knows. Outside, the little flame-coloured bird that sits on our white fence and sings is silent. He knows how I feel!

5. Types of First Person Narratives Detached Autobiography: Main character tells readers/audience, comments on his own story Observer Narration: An observer, may not be the main character. Could be observing and commenting on other characters

6. Types of First Person Narratives Subjective narration: Subjective is trying to convince the reader. Has a firm view/position. Can be an ‘anti-hero’ trying to justify their positions Interior Monologue: Often avoids complete sentences – “Stream of consciousness”. Train of thought.

7. Advantages and Limitations Limits the reader’s experience – only the narrator’s side of the story. Narrator must always be ‘on the stage’ or ‘observing the stage’ Has a bias. Reader doesn’t get to view other characters’ perspectives Limited with regards to ‘self-description’ Narrator can be unreliable – can distort the view of other characters and events Limited to a ‘single story’ thread – that of the “I” narrator

8. Advantages and Limitations First person narrative is accessible and direct to the reader/audience Has a simplicity and directness that can be appealing and relevant to the purpose The reader/audience can relate/empathise/sympathise Style can be ‘conversational’