Point of View
Point of view is the perspective from which the narrator tells the story to the reader. The narrator speaks in a particular voice. That voice speaks to the reader and tells the story. First person and third person are the most common narrative points of view. Although second person can be used, it is very rare in fiction. Mainly second person is used to give someone directions.
First Person
The narrator is telling the story from his own point of view
“I went to see the new movie Dream House.”
or
“When I was a little girl, the craziest thing happened to me…”
Example in video games: Halo (You control the Chief)
Explanation: In first person point of view, the author creates a character who tells us everything that's happening. It's important to note that we can't see what other people or thinking, and we can't see things from anyone else's perspective. For example, in Halo, you can't see what the Covenant aliens are doing when they're hiding from you.
The narrator is telling the story from his own point of view
“I went to see the new movie Dream House.”
or
“When I was a little girl, the craziest thing happened to me…”
Example in video games: Halo (You control the Chief)
Explanation: In first person point of view, the author creates a character who tells us everything that's happening. It's important to note that we can't see what other people or thinking, and we can't see things from anyone else's perspective. For example, in Halo, you can't see what the Covenant aliens are doing when they're hiding from you.
Second Person
“You” is the person doing the action. "You" are being talked about from someone else's perspective. This type is often used for giving directions.
"You walked down the stairs. You ate Honey Nut Cheerio's for breakfast and dropped a few on the floor. Your dog ate them."
It is awkward for a story to be narrated from “your” perspective, so this point of view is not used very often.
Example in video games: Call of Duty Cam
Explanation: When you see a cam on Call of Duty, you're watching yourself from someone else's perspective. This is about as close to second person point of view as we can get.
“You” is the person doing the action. "You" are being talked about from someone else's perspective. This type is often used for giving directions.
"You walked down the stairs. You ate Honey Nut Cheerio's for breakfast and dropped a few on the floor. Your dog ate them."
It is awkward for a story to be narrated from “your” perspective, so this point of view is not used very often.
Example in video games: Call of Duty Cam
Explanation: When you see a cam on Call of Duty, you're watching yourself from someone else's perspective. This is about as close to second person point of view as we can get.
Third Person
Narrator is NOT a character in the story—NEVER uses “you”, “we”, etc. unless in dialogue
“He went to the store with his friend Jess. They had a great time.”
BUT we get more complicated now. Third person point of view has to be split off based on how many characters' thoughts and emotions the narrator knows.
Third Person Objective
The narrator describes everything WITHOUT describing the characters’ thoughts or feelings
Example: John raised his glass and took a sip of milk. “Thank you for the drink,” he told his mother. His mother nodded and told him he was welcome.
Third Person Limited
The narrator only knows what one character is thinking.
—Saul came home from the shop. He was wondering what Jacob thought about their science project.
Third Person Omniscient
The narrator knows EVERYTHING. He/she even knows all the characters’ thoughts.
—“Oh no,” Johnny thought to himself. “I’m really in trouble now.” Across the aisle, Jen was worried too.
Narrator is NOT a character in the story—NEVER uses “you”, “we”, etc. unless in dialogue
“He went to the store with his friend Jess. They had a great time.”
BUT we get more complicated now. Third person point of view has to be split off based on how many characters' thoughts and emotions the narrator knows.
Third Person Objective
The narrator describes everything WITHOUT describing the characters’ thoughts or feelings
Example: John raised his glass and took a sip of milk. “Thank you for the drink,” he told his mother. His mother nodded and told him he was welcome.
Third Person Limited
The narrator only knows what one character is thinking.
—Saul came home from the shop. He was wondering what Jacob thought about their science project.
Third Person Omniscient
The narrator knows EVERYTHING. He/she even knows all the characters’ thoughts.
—“Oh no,” Johnny thought to himself. “I’m really in trouble now.” Across the aisle, Jen was worried too.
Activities
pov_individual_1.rtf |
pov_individual_2.docx |