Point of ViewWhen writing or reading a story, it is important to consider WHO is telling the story. Looking at the perspective can help us see if we are receiving all of the information, or only a piece of it; if our author wants us to sympathize with one character over another; or if the story we are being told is even the truth.

As writers, it is important to considerpoint of view when thinking aboutyour writing, because each type cancreate a different effect.

Point of ViewO The perspective through which a

story is told.

First PersonO Narrator is the person who is experiencing the

story.O Primarily uses “I”O Makes the story more personal and in-the-

momentO Can lead to limited information/perspective

Unreliable narrator: 1st person narrator who is biased/untrustworthy

Second PersonO Narrator is telling what ishappening to the readerO Uses “you”O Primarily “choose your own adventure” booksO Makes you feel like you are experiencing the story yourself

“You start out after you have gone from kindergarten to sheepskin covered with sundry Latin phrases.

At least you know what you want life to give you. A career as fixed and as calmly brilliant as the North Star. The one real thing that money buys. Time. Time to do things. A house that can be as delectably out of order and as easily put in order as the doll-house of "playing-house" days. And of course, a husband you can look up to without looking down on yourself.

Somehow you feel like a kitten in a sunny catnip field that sees sleek, plump brown field mice and yellow baby chicks sitting coyly, side by side, under each leaf. A desire to dash three or for ways seizes you.

That's Youth.”

Third Person P.O.V.sO Narrator is outside of story,

describing eventsO Uses “he/she/them”

Third Person: OmniscientO Narrator is outside of story, describing eventsO Can see into every character’s headO Uses “he/she/them”O Allows reader to see the thoughts of multiple

characters, for a more complete understanding of the story

Ex: He held her close, savoring the smell of

her hair. Finally, they could be together forever. “At last,” he whispered. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.”

She was disgusted. Resisting the urge to vomit on this stalker who had kidnapped her, she focused on pulling the gun sticking out of the back of his pants. She put her arms around his dirty form, and he sighed into her hair. Clenching her teeth, she felt her fingers touch cold metal. “I love you too,” she murmured, and grasped the gun.

Third Person: LimitedO Narrator is outside of story, describing eventsO Can see into one character’s headO Uses “he/she/them”O Middle ground between1st and 3rd person omni.O More engaging thanomniscient, but moreinformative and open thanfirst person

Ex: He held her close, savoring the

smell of her hair. Finally, they could be together forever. “At last,” he whispered. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.”

She put her arms around him, and he sighed in contentment. “I love you too,” she murmured. Nothing in his life had ever been so perfect as this moment.

Third Person: ObjectiveO Narrator is outside of story, describing eventsO Can see into none of the characters’ headsO Uses “he/she/them”O Forces reader to makehis/her own conclusionsabout what is happeningin the storyO Writers functions as areporter

Ex: He held her close. “At last,” he

said. “I didn’t think we would ever find this happiness. I love you.”

She put her arms around him, and he sighed. “I love you too,” she said, her hand touching the gun sticking out of the waistband of his pants.