Lesson 6

English Connection – Point of View – Lesson 7

Before beginning a story you must determine the point of view, or perspective, in which your story will be written.

first person	In the first person point of view one character tells the story. This character reveals only personal thoughts and feelings of what s/he sees. The writer uses pronouns such as "I" or "me" or "my." Example: I woke up this morning feeling terrific. I hopped out of bed excited to start the new day. I knew that today was the day my big surprise would come.
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second person	With the second person point of view the narrator tells the story using the pronoun "you". The character is someone similar to you. Example: You jump out of bed feeling really terrific. Then you hop out of bed excited to start the new day. You know that today is the day that your big surprise will come.
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third person	The third person point of view is the most commonly used in fiction. When writing in the third person you will use pronouns such as "he", "she", or "it". Example: Brian woke up feeling terrific. He hopped out of bed excited to start the new day. He knew that today was the day that his big surprise would come.

Remember most stories are written in third person.

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Below are two different perspectives of the third person point of view.

In third person omniscient, the narrator can interpret the behavior of his characters.

Example: Lina slept restlessly that night. She had frightening dreams in which something dangerous was lurking in the darkness.

This is omniscient because a camera would not be able to tell you what is in Lina’s dreams.

In third person limited, the narrator describes only what is seen and heard. Think of this is showing what a camera can show.

Example: Dr. Tower laid a hand across her forehead. She asked her to stick out her tongue, and she listened to her heart and her breathing.

Although The City of Ember is written in third person omniscient, this excerpt is an example of third person objective because the narrator only describes what is taking place without interpreting the behaviors.

Practice

1. Oh, Lina, it is so good to see you. I miss you. What do you want to show me? Oh, yes-the fancy writing. Really nice. Lucky you to find it. Come and see me again soon, all right? I get so bored in that office.
This paragraph is told from what point of view?

a) first person

b) second person

c) third person, omniscient

d) third person, limited

2. She made a thin soup of spinach and onions and fed it to Granny a spoonful at a time.
This paragraph is told from what point of view?

a) first person

b) second person

c) third person, omniscient

d) third person, limited

3. I have groceries. I stopped at the store after work and bought a few things.
This paragraph is told from what point of view?

a) first person

b) second person

c) third person, omniscient

d) third person, limited

4. First you go to the storeroom office. Then you turn down Rim Street. You will follow it until you reach Knack Street. Next you turn left. When you come to an intersection you take a right. You go one more block and you are at the library.
This paragraph is told from what point of view?

a) first person

b) second person

c) third person, omniscient

d) third person, limited

5. Write a sentence from the first person point of view.

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6. Write a sentence from the second person point of view.

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7. Write a sentence from the third person point of view.

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----------Key----------

1. a

2. d

3. a

4. b