Content from http://writingxmu.wikispaces.com/point+of+view, http://home.mchsi.com/~webclass/POV%20samples.htmModified by J. Moore, Jan. 2012 & by C. Batelka, Oct. 2012

Point of View Visuals

1st Person

2nd Person

3rd Person

In the first-person point of view, the narrator is a character in the story, usually the story’s protagonist.

The narrator reveals the plot and his or her thoughts and feelings by using first person pronouns such as “I” when singular or “we” when plural. A first person narrator can be reliable or unreliable, for readers can only know what the character knows and feels. What the narrator recounts in the story may not be the truth.

Function: First-person point of view allows readers to feel very close to a specific character and to observe the story develop from this character’s view.

Second-person point of view is the least commonly used viewpoint in literary writings.

In this point of view, the narrator uses the pronoun “you” to refer to one of the characters in the story and/or to address the reader or listener directly.

The second-person point of view is rarely used in fiction, but it does appear very often in speeches and other forms of non-fiction such as letters, greeting cards, recipes, instructions, and so on.

Function: Second-person point of view allows the reader to feel as if he or she is a character in the story.

The third-person point of view is the most commonly used type of point of view.

When it is used, the narrator relates all action in third person, and each character in the story is referred to with third person pronouns such as "he,” "she,” “it,” or “they.”

However, the narrator isn’t involved in the story. The narrator observes the story’s action, but he or she does not take part in the events.In omniscient third-person point of view, the

narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of more than one character in the story.

In limited third-person point of view, the narrator’s knowledge is limited to one character, either major or minor. Readers know the thoughts and feelings of that one character.

The third-person point of view is the most commonly used type of point of view.

When it is used, the narrator relates all action in third person, and each character in the story is referred to with third person pronouns such as "he,” "she,” “it,” or “they.”

However, the narrator isn’t involved in the story. The narrator observes the story’s action, but he or she does not take part in the events.

In objective third-person point of view, the narrator observes and reports in a seemingly neutral and impersonal way.

The third-person point of view is the most commonly used type of point of view.

When it is used, the narrator relates all action in third person, and each character in the story is referred to with third person pronouns such as "he,” "she,” “it,” or “they.”

However, the narrator isn’t involved in the story. The narrator observes the story’s action, but he or she does not take part in the events.

With a partner, read the following passages and identify the point of view of each. Be prepared to support your answer.

As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet.

As the man saw her start up the hill, he moved quickly into the shelter of an old maple tree. If she saw him, everything would be ruined.

She thought she saw a shadow move 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, like a cloud creeping over the sun.

As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

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.

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 has just passed over the sun.

1 2

4 5

3

Choose from:

First Person POV Second Person POV

Omniscient Third Person POV Limited Third Person POV Objective Third Person POV

How Did You Do?

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 has just passed over the sun.

Passage 1 is an example of _________________ POV.

1

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 has just passed over the sun.

Passage 1 is an example of Second Person POV.

1

As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

Passage 2 is an example of _________________ POV.

2

As she walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

Passage 2 is an example of Limited Third Person POV.

2

As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

Passage 3 is an example of _________________ POV.

3

As I walked up the hill, I realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet. There was no sound from the cardinal that 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.

Passage 3 is an example of First Person POV.

3

As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet.

As the man saw her start up the hill, he moved quickly into the shelter of an old maple tree. If she saw him, everything would be ruined.

She thought she saw a shadow move 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, like a cloud creeping over the sun.

Passage 4 is an example of _________________ POV.

4

As the girl walked up the hill, she realized that the atmosphere was just too quiet.

As the man saw her start up the hill, he moved quickly into the shelter of an old maple tree. If she saw him, everything would be ruined.

She thought she saw a shadow move 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, like a cloud creeping over the sun.

Passage 4 is an example of Omniscient Third Person POV.

4

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.

Passage 5 is an example of _________________ POV.

5

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.

Passage 5 is an example of Third Person Objective POV.

5

Can you match each image with its Point of View?

First Person

Second Person

Omniscient Third Person

Limited Third Person

Objective Third Person