Point of View

Definition Point of view- is the perspective of a story’s or poem’s narrator.

First Person point of view tells the story from the narrator’s perspective, using the pronoun I. (Story/Poem writing)

Second Person point of view is when the narrator address the reader directly, using words such as you and your. (Informative text)

Third-person point of view tells a story from an outside perspective. Objective third-person narrators can only describe events as

they perceive them. (News and biography writing, Camera’s eye) Omniscient third-person narrators can relate the thoughts and

feelings of all the characters in the story. This is an all knowing narrator. (Story/Poem writing)

Third person limited means the narrator relates to one character only. (Story/Poem Writing)

Examples: What is the point of view?

“Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.

If you’re reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom and dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life… My name is Percy Jackson. I’m 12 years old…”

The Lightning Thief by: Rick Riordan

Example:

“The old lady pulled her spectacles down and looked over them, about the room; then she put them up and looked out under them. She seldom or never looked through them for so small a thing as a boy, for they were her state pair, the pride of her heart, and were build for style not service; she could have seen through a pair of stove lids as well.”

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by: Mark Twain

Example:

1. Severe storm warnings have been issued for the area. You should get prepared to evacuate at any moment. If you don’t already have an emergency bag, you should get one ready.

2. Jasmine had the radio on when the storm warning was issued. She went into action immediately.

3. My computer beeped as I was working on a report. It was the weather channel, warning of an impending storm. Storms are a regular occurrences in our area.

Irony

Irony is a conflict between what might be expected and what actually happens.

In fiction an author may include ironic statements, or set up a situation that is ironic.

For example: It would be ironic if an airplane pilot were afraid of heights.

Writers often use irony to make a point, or add humor.

Now let’s look at a great example. These are the lyrics to the song “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette (it’s old like your teachers!) Please do not write on these as we only have a class set.

Let’s listen to the song. Be prepared to discuss the irony listed in the song.

Your quiz on Friday will cover both point of view and irony. If you have questions, please let us know!