Point of View

By: Chelsea Ravasani-ASLLindsey Ravasani-ASLKristen Patterson

What is Point of View Definition: A position from which

something is observed or considered. Definition: The attitude or outlook of a

narrator or character in a piece of literature, a movie, or another art form.

Type of Point of View Narrative point of view Alternative point of view First person point of view Second person point of view Third person point of view -Third person limited -Third person omniscient

Narrative Point of View Narrative point of view strictly tells the story. The writer is

speaking to the reader by using a narrator who is essentially telling the story. Films or novels use narrative point of view.

The Narrator is the protagonist or one of the major character that keeps the story flowing smoothly.

-Sometimes the author takes on a persona, a voice used for a particular purpose. - The author could even use a different dialect such as southern or other different accents used in a novel.

Incorrect Example: Kelly fell and scraped her knee. Correct Example: Joe and Kelly were racing home from school, when suddenly, Kelly fell and scraped her knee. Joe ran back to her and reached out his hand to help her up.

Alternative Point of View Alternative point of view is an exception to the

other point of views. Many stories can be written in both first and third

person. Alternating the point of views is especially

common in literature. Incorrect Example: My friend and I argued over

when our homework assignment was due. Correct Example: I was arguing with my friend

that our homework assignment was due today. She claimed that it was due tomorrow.

First Person Point of View The first person Point of view is usually in the

form of a reporter, observer/participant. Definition: Is usually considered intense,

subjective and uses words such as I, me, we, us, and our.Pros of first person Cons of first person

An eyewitness account and builds a sense of trustworthy information.

No direct interpretation by the author.

Also the author creates dramatic irony.

Can be bias or limited knowledge of the narrator.

The reader is more likely to be engaged and connected in reading.

The narrator can transcend there knowledge.

First Person Point of View (continued) Where you might see it is in a memoir,

autobiography, or even personal experience essays.

Incorrect Example: You are extremely relieved that you passed your Biology exam.

Correct Example: I am extremely relieved that I passed my Biology exam.

Second Point of View Definition: The reader is the main focus.

Usually asks the reader a question or just gets them involved in the reading.

Uses the words you, your or yours. Incorrect Example: She can wear her new

rain boots since it is raining outside. Correct Example: You can wear your new

rain boots since it is raining outside.

Third Person Point of View Definition: Can be subjective or objective

and is usually in the form of he, she, they, their.

Like a camera, narrator reports only what can be seen and heard; no thoughts of characters are given except as spoken.

Incorrect Example: I stretched before working out at the gym.

Correct Example: He stretched before working out at the gym.

Third Person Limited Definition: Which is a third person narrative who

acknowledges one character’s action, thoughts, or feelings; can be major or minor but has a limited point of view.

Incorrect Example: The boy heard a noise coming from the basement. He was brave, and went downstairs to find that it was just his cat. The cat was frightened and jumped.

Correct Example: The boy heard a noise coming from the basement. He was brave, and went downstairs to find that it was just his cat.

Third Person Omniscient Definition: Which is a third person

narrative who knows everything about all the characters. The reader knows all the characters feeling and thoughts.

Pro of Omniscient Con of Omniscient

The god- like narrator gives a dimension of the story.

Sometimes the author can come between the story and reader.

This makes it the most flexible narration.

It lacks unity because it often shifts from one character to the next.

Third Person Omniscient (continued) Incorrect Example: When the man

proposed to his girlfriend, he felt anxious.

Correct Example: When the man proposed to his girlfriend, he felt anxious while she felt surprised.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For Switch in point of view or pronoun shift

is when the point of view of a sentence changes by switching from one pronoun to another.

Wrong Example: As we rode into town, you could see the beautiful sunset.

Correct Example: As we rode into town, we could see the beautiful sunset.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For Do not change from singular to plural; this

will avoid confusion. Wrong Example: College students realize

that you have to study on a daily basis. Correct Example: College students realize

that they have to study on a daily basis. Also: In college, you realize that you have

to study on a daily basis.

Review: Match letter to the correct point of view. First Person A.)You

Second Person B.) She Third Person C.) I D.) Your E.) They F.) We

Works Cited Booth, Sheila. Narrator Point of View. 20

February 2012. Online. Nordquist, Richard. First-person point of view. 20

February 2012. Online.