Point of ViewWhy is it important? It all depends on how you look at it…

“The Basics” Point of View (POV) is the perspective

from which a story is told.

1st Person POVDEFINITION

The narrator is part of the story. You know that a story is in the 1st

person because the narrator says “I”.

TIP: You can remember 1st

person by thinking that

1=“I”

What are the benefits of 1st person narration?

Purpose for WHY an Author Might Use 1st Person POV The reader really “gets into the head” of the

narrator, which helps the reader develop a much better understanding of how and why that character is or thinks the way that he/she does.

The reader will generally develop more sympathy for that character because his/her journey is the one that we are experiencing.

We gain more intimacy, but we lose objectivity.

2nd Person POV

DEFINITION: When the reader is part of the story. The

narrator is speaking to the reader. You know a story is in the 2nd Person

because the narrator says “you” as if he/she is speaking to YOU, the reader.

You don’t see this POV too often with fiction.

Why might an author use 2nd person?

If the author wants the reader to really think about his/her own actions, the author might use this POV.

If the author wants us to feel attacked or included in the story, for example, this POV works best; it’s a more “aggressive” way to engage the reader. The reader can’t be passive.

Purpose for WHY an Author Might Use 2nd Person POV

3rd Person Limited

DEFINITION The narrator is outside the story, telling the

story through the perspective of one character—in other words, the narrator is LIMITED to the thoughts and perspective of one character.

You know that a story is written from a 3rd Person Limited perspective because the narrator uses “he, she, they, it” but isn’t part of the story and only seems to know the thoughts of one character.

Why might an author use 3rd Person Limited POV?

The author might want the audience to observe a character’s behavior from the outside—almost like we are sociologists.

The author might want us to understand a character, but also see the bigger picture a little better than what we would see if we were entirely in the head of a character (1st Person POV.)

We are able to develop sympathy for, or understanding of, a character, but we remain more objective.

Purpose for WHY an Author Might Use 3rd Person Limited POV

3rd Person Omniscient

DEFINITION The narrator is outside the story, telling the story

through the perspective of ALL the characters—in other words, the narrator seems to be all-knowing, almost like a “GOD-figure”.

You know that a story is written from a 3rd Person Omniscient perspective because the narrator uses “he, she, they, it” but isn’t part of the story; the narrator knows and reports on the thoughts of ALL the characters.

This would be the MOST objective POV. Similar to 3rd Person--Limited, an author might want us to observe

characters from a more objective POV. We see even more of the “big picture,” which allows us to consider

multiple viewpoints and characters’ motivations. This also allows the reader to find out more completely about the ins

and outs of the story, instead of being limited to one character’s knowledge, especially if that character is unreliable.

This helps us to see more effectively how individuals interact with the community at large—how it all fits together—or falls apart as a result of different personalities, motivation and philosophies.

Purpose for WHY an Author Might Use 3rd Person Omniscient POV

Task:Imagine you are an alien arriving on the shores of Wollaston Beach. Write about your sights, experiences, and understanding of Quincy from the alien's POV.

Task:You have been set up on a blind date. You only know this person’s name; you’ve never seen their Facebook or text them. Write about your experience from the beginning of the date to the end.