1. The perspective from which the story is told.
Point of View
The perspective from which the story is told.

2. look at the narration NOT
When finding
point of view,
look at the narration NOT
the “conversation.”

3. Dialogue and Narration
Dialogue = when characters speak.
Narration = when the narrator speaks.
“Quotation marks” separate narration from dialogue.
Example
“Help” my cousin Jack said.

4. Identifying Narrative Perspective
It's about the narrator (who tells the story)
We're not looking at dialogue.
We don't care what characters say.
Only the narrator's voice matters.

5. Point of View I am in the room I = 1st Person You come in the room
You = 2nd Person
Then he or she came in the room.
He or She = 3rd Person

6. First-Person Narrator is a character in the story. Often uses I or we.
Example
I went home. Tim came over. I couldn't play.

7. Second-Person Speaks directly to the reader (Usually for instructions)
Uses “You”; from “your” perspective.
Examples
First, gather your materials. Add 1 cup sugar to flour.

8. Perspectives and Signal Words
Pronoun Case
We are trying to figure out the narrator's view point on the story.
Perspectives and Signal Words
First-Person
I, me, my, mine, we, us, ours,
Second-Person
you, your
Third-Person
he, she, her, they, them
(also character's names)

9. Three Types of Third-Person Narration
Narrator usually isn’t involved.
Tells other's stories.
Lots of “He,” “She,” & character names.
Three Types of Third-Person Narration
Does the narrator tell…
Thoughts and Feelings of Characters?

10. Third-Person Omniscient
Narrator is all knowing.
Narrator tells thoughts and feelings of two or more characters.
Omni = All Scient = Knowing
Example

11. Third-Person Limited Narrator is limited to one character.
Tells thoughts & feelings of one character
Example

12. Third-Person Objective
Narrator does not reveal any character’s thoughts or feelings.
Only character’s dialogue and actions are narrated.
Example

13. Tips on Identifying Is it 1st or 2nd Person? 3rd
Do I know the thoughts/feelings of any characters?
NO 3rd Objective
YES How many characters’ thoughts/feelings?
1 3rd Limited
2 or more 3rd Omniscient

14. Practice Read the following passages.
Determine the narrator’s perspective.
Write down your answer.

15. look at the narration NOT
When finding
point of view…
look at the narration NOT
the “conversation.”

16. 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 Omniscient POV

17. Second Person POV
   As you walk up the hill, you realize that the atmosphere's just too quiet. There's no sound from the cardinal you know is almost always singing from the top of the maple tree. You think you see a shadow move high up on the slope, but when you look again it's gone. You shudder as you feel a silent threat pass over you. You feel cold, like a cloud just passed over the sun.

18. 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 POV

19. 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 POV

20. 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

21. look at the narration NOT
When finding
point of view,
look at the narration NOT
the “conversation.”

22. Tips on Identifying Is it 1st or 2nd Person? 3rd
Do I know the thoughts/feelings of any characters?
NO 3rd Objective
YES How many characters’ thoughts/feelings?
1 3rd Limited
2 or more 3rd Omniscient