Which type of point of view is when the narrator is directly in the story?
First!
What is perspective?
Someone's outlook, attitude or opinion on something.
This narrator often talks about feeling nervous and unsure. They try their best to stay calm, but sometimes they worry a lot about things they can’t control. Who is the narrator?
B) someone preparing for a big test
What key words can we look for to determine first person point of view?
Me, I, our, we
I woke up this morning with a sinking feeling in my stomach because today is the day of the spelling test. I can’t stop thinking about all the words I’ve been struggling to remember. I keep going over them in my head, but they just keep slipping away. Every time I think I’ve got one, I forget the next. I know I should have studied more.
Would the narrator agree with this statement, how do you know?:
School can be challenging sometimes.
Yes, they would. I know because the narrator is nervous for their test at school.
This narrator is very confident in their abilities and believes they can do anything without much effort. They often think others are less talented, but they don’t mind. Who is the narrator?
C) Someone who is a bit conceited
What’s the difference between first and third person point of view? DO NOT just tell me the different key words we see. Think: thoughts, actions and feelings.
First: you get the thoughts, actions and feelings from just the narrator inside the story.
Third: you can get the thoughts, actions and feelings from multiple characters.
Can you trust the author’s point of view? Why or why not?
I honestly think running is one of the easiest things you can do. All you need are a good pair of shoes and the right attitude, and you’re ready to go. There’s no complicated equipment or special skills required, just putting one foot in front of the other. It’s such a simple way to clear your mind and stay in shape. I love how I can run anywhere—around the block, in the park, or even on a trail—and it always feels freeing. Once I get into a rhythm, it’s like everything else just fades away, and I’m focused only on the run.
No, you can't. This is an opinion. Not everyone would agree that running is the easiest thing you can do.
This narrator loves to explore new places and is always excited to try new things. They enjoy being outdoors and aren’t afraid of a challenge. Who is the narrator?
B) A curious adventurer
What POV is this told from? How do you know?
You walk into the classroom on your first day at a new school. The walls are filled with colorful posters, and all the kids are talking to each other. You feel a little nervous, but you remind yourself that you can make new friends. You take a deep breath and walk up to a group of students, hoping they'll smile and invite you to join them.
Second! It uses words such as you.
If the author rewrote this from an opposing viewpoint, what statements would need to change?
I was bursting with excitement for our field trip to the zoo! I could hardly wait to see the lions, the monkeys, and especially the giraffes. I imagined how amazing it would be to see them up close and maybe even get a picture with one! As we walked through the zoo, I was practically jumping with joy, pointing out every animal I saw. The elephants were so huge, and the monkeys were swinging from tree to tree, making me laugh.
The narrator is excited about the zoo, if it was an opposing viewpoint, the narrator would have to change it to being frightened.
This narrator describes everything in great detail and loves to tell long stories. They have a lot to say about their day-to-day life and enjoy sharing their thoughts. Who is the narrator?
C) A talkative and expressive storyteller
How could you change this narrative so that it is written from a third person point of view?
I was bursting with excitement for our field trip to the zoo! I could hardly wait to see the lions, the monkeys, and especially the giraffes. I imagined how amazing it would be to see them up close and maybe even get a picture with one! As we walked through the zoo, I was practically jumping with joy, pointing out every animal I saw. The elephants were so huge, and the monkeys were swinging from tree to tree, making me laugh.
Changing the key words, adding in character's names.
How does the narrator’s perspective affect the events in this narrative?
"I couldn’t believe it when they told me I was going to space. The moment I stepped into the spaceship, my heart raced with excitement and a little bit of fear. As we soared higher, I watched the Earth shrink below me, its blues and greens swirling together. The weightlessness felt strange at first, but then it was like floating in a dream. I looked out the window and saw stars closer than I ever imagined. It was more beautiful than I could ever put into words, and I knew this was something I would never forget.
The experience is shared directly from the perspective of the narrator, highlighting personal thoughts, actions and feelings.
This narrator is often torn between two choices, unsure of what the right decision is. They tend to overthink situations and worry about the consequences of their actions. Even when they finally make a choice, they still question whether it was the right one. Who is the narrator?
C) Someone who is indecisive and often second-guesses themselves