1. Narrative Perspective
Author’s Point of View

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. Second-Person First-Person
Usually Instructions
(You) take out the trash.
First, (you) preheat the oven to 425.
Sometimes the (you) is implied.
Narrator is a part of the story (character). Often uses I or we. Example I went home. Tim came over. I couldn't play.

5. Three Types of Third-Person Narration
Narrator tells “his” or “her” story.
Three Types of 3rd-Person:
Limited
Omniscient
Objective
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?

6. Third-Person Limited
Narrator is limited to one character. Tells thoughts & feelings of one character Example Tim was mad at Shay. He blamed her. Shay just left without saying anything. She left a note and then left him. Narrator reveals thoughts and feelings of one character. Chris liked Elma since the third-grade, but he had never found the nerve to tell her. But one sunny day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma blushed and said, “Ok” Chris smiled. *Tells his internal thoughts *Internal Narration is limited to Chris

7. Third-Person Omniscient
Narrator is all knowing. Narrator tells thoughts and feelings of more than one character. Omni = All Scient = Knowing Example Tim was mad at Shay. He blamed her. Shay knew Tim would be mad, but she wanted to live her life. Chris had liked Elma since the third-grade. Little did he know that Elma liked him too. They both admired one another from a far, and waited. One day, Chris said to Elma, “So… you want to go with me?” Emma felt her stomach sink. She couldn’t believe it. Blushing, she said, “Ok.” Chris smiled. Omniscient narrator is all-knowing.

8. 3rd-Person Omniscient: Two or more characters’ thoughts.
Oh, I like Chris.
I like Elma.
Ok.
Elma
Chris
Want to go with me?
3rd-Person Omniscient: Two or more characters’ thoughts.

9. Third-Person Objective
Narrator does not reveal any character’s thoughts or feelings. Only character’s dialogue and actions are narrated. Example Tim slammed the door. He walked upstairs & read a note from Shay. He kicked her trash can & started crying. Internal thoughts are not told. Readers may INFER thoughts and feelings based on actions or dialogue. Chris slowly walked up to Elma with his hands behind his back. “So… you want to go with me,” he said nervously. Elma blushed. “Ok.” Chris smiled. Characters’ internal thoughts not narrated.