POINT OF VIEW Narrative Perspective
Identifying Narrative Perspective https://vimeo.com/93104211
Identifying Narrative Perspective Dialogue = when characters speak. Narration = when the narrator speaks. Quotation marks separate narration from dialogue. Example: Help my cousin Jack said. 1 2
Identifying Narrative Perspective Point of view is all about the narrator (who tells the story). Do not look at the dialogue. It doesn t matter what characters say. Only the narrator's voice matters.
Identifying Narrative Perspective Point of View: The viewpoint of the narrator. Pronouns = Clue Words First-Person I, me, my, mine, we, us, ours Second-Person you, your Third-Person he, she, her, they, them (also character's names)
#1. 1st Person Narrator is a part of the story (character). Uses pronouns I, me, my, mine, we, us, ours. Used in both fiction and autobiographical writing (memoirs, letters). Example: The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. - The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
#1. 1st Person https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=flkotxc4oym
#1. 1st Person Advantages: Disadvantages:
#1. 1st Person Advantages: - You can see what the narrator thinks, feels, and knows. - You feel like you are inside the story. Disadvantages: - You are limited to the narrator s perspective only. - You don t know the other character s thoughts or feelings. - Narrator may be unreliable.
#2. 2nd Person Addresses audience directly; usually used for instructions. Uses pronouns you and your. Used in business and technical writing. Example: First, gather your materials. Add 1 cup sugar to flour.
#2. 2nd Person https://www.youtube.com/watch?
#2. 2nd Person Advantages: Disadvantages:
#2. 2nd Person Advantages: - You feel connected to the narrator because you are actively participating. Disadvantages: - Forces you to be the main character.
#3. 3rd Person Narrator usually isn t involved in story. Uses pronouns he, she, her, they, them, and character's names. There are 3 types of third-person narration. KEY QUESTION: Does the narrator tell thoughts and feelings of characters?
#3. 3rd Person https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgt4feqgtgi
#3. 3rd Person Advantages: Disadvantages:
#3. 3rd Person Advantages: - Narrator can reveal details the characters don t know. - Narrator is more reliable. Disadvantages: - You feel less connected to the story. - Harder for author to express character s emotions.
#3A. 3rd Person Omniscient Narrator is all knowing. Tells thoughts and feelings of more than one character. OMNI = all SCIENT = knowing Example: Harry had taken up his place at wizard school The Dursleys hadn t even remembered that today happened to be Harry s twelfth birthday. Of course, his hopes hadn t been high? - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
#3B. 3rd Person Limited Narrator is limited to ONE character. Tells thoughts and feelings of ONE character. Example: [Rainsford s] whole idea at first was to put distance between himself and General Zaroff; and, to this end, he had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowers of something very like panic. - The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
#3C. 3rd Person Objective Narrator does not reveal any of the characters thoughts and feelings. Only characters dialogue and actions are described. Example: Suddenly she discovered, in a black satin case, a superb diamond necklace; her heart began to beat covetously. Her hands trembled as she lifted it. - The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
Identifying Narrative Perspective Tips Check for 1st or 2nd-person first before worrying about 3rdperson objective, limited, or omniscient. Ask, Who s story is the narrator telling: his or hers, mine, or someone else s? Focus on narration not dialogue.
Guided Practice 1. Read the following passages. 2. Determine the narrator s point of view. 3. Write down your answer.
Guided Practice #1 When I was four months old, my mother died suddenly and my father was left to look after me all by himself I had no brothers or sisters. So through boyhood, from the age of four months onward, there was just us two, my father and me. We lived in an old gypsy caravan behind a filling station.
Guided Practice #1 When I was four months old, my mother died suddenly and my father was left to look after me all by himself I had no brothers or sisters. So through boyhood, from the age of four months onward, there was just us two, my father and me. We lived in an old gypsy caravan behind a filling station. First-Person
Guided Practice #2 The huge man dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool. The small man stepped behind him. "Lennie!" he said sharply. "Lennie, for God" sakes don t drink so much." Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. "Lennie you gonna be sick like you was last night." Lennie dipped his whole head under, hat and all "Tha s good," he said. "You drink some, George." He smiled happily.
Guided Practice #2 The huge man dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool. The small man stepped behind him. "Lennie!" he said sharply. "Lennie, for God" sakes don t drink so much." Lennie continued to snort into the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. "Lennie you gonna be sick like you was last night." Lennie dipped his whole head under, hat and all "Tha s good," he said. "You drink some, George." He smiled happily. Third-Person Objective
Guided Practice #3 The previous night, make your plans for the next day and write them down If you attend an exclusive Samurai s party and feel timid, you cannot do your part in making it a successful party. You had first better prepare by convincing yourself that you will have a grand time. And you should feel grateful for the invitation.
Guided Practice #3 The previous night, make your plans for the next day and write them down If you attend an exclusive Samurai s party and feel timid, you cannot do your part in making it a successful party. You had first better prepare by convincing yourself that you will have a grand time. And you should feel grateful for the invitation. Second-Person
Guided Practice #4 Harold Davis took a deep breath and slowly started to peel the gauze from the wound on his grandmother s leg. Hold on, Grandma. I m almost done, He said quietly. Don t worry, baby. It doesn t hurt too much, she quietly replied. Just take your time. Harold glanced up at his grandmother lying on the couch. He could tell she was in pain from the way she gripped the cushions, but still she managed to smile back at him.
Guided Practice #4 Harold Davis took a deep breath and slowly started to peel the gauze from the wound on his grandmother s leg. Hold on, Grandma. I m almost done, He said quietly. Don t worry, baby. It doesn t hurt too much, she quietly replied. Just take your time. Harold glanced up at his grandmother lying on the couch. He could tell she was in pain from the way she gripped the cushions, but still she managed to smile back at him. Third-Person Limited
Guided Practice #5 They were standing under a tree, each with an arm round the other's neck, and Alice knew which was which in a moment, because one of them had "DUM" embroidered on his collar, and the other "DEE." "I suppose they've each got "TWEEDLE" round at the back of the collar," she said to herself. They stood so still that she quite forgot they were alive, and she was just looking round to see if the word "TWEEDLE" was written at the back of each collar, when she was startled by a voice coming from the one marked "DUM."
Guided Practice #5 They were standing under a tree, each with an arm round the other's neck, and Alice knew which was which in a moment, because one of them had "DUM" embroidered on his collar, and the other "DEE." "I suppose they've each got "TWEEDLE" round at the back of the collar," she said to herself. They stood so still that she quite forgot they were alive, and she was just looking round to see if the word "TWEEDLE" was written at the back of each collar, when she was startled by a voice coming from the one marked "DUM." Third-Person Limited
Independent Practice 6. Second-Person 7. First-Person 8. Third-Person Omniscient 9. Third-Person Objective 10. Third-Person Limited