Definition: The perspective from which a story is told.
Importance: Recognizing the narrator enhances reading comprehension.
Types of Point of View
First Person
Definition: The narrator is a character in the story.
Pronouns used: I, me, my.
Example: "I bolted out of bed, grabbed my backpack, and rushed out the door. Today was the day I was finally going to learn to ride a horse."
Limitation: Narrator can only share their own experiences or knowledge.
Second Person
Definition: The narrator addresses the reader directly.
Pronoun used: You.
Example: Guided relaxation recordings.
Note: Rarely used in stories; often gives directives.
Third Person
Definition: The narrator is external to the story.
Pronouns used: He, she, they.
Example: "Benny opened his closet door to grab a jacket only to be greeted by a horrifying monster. He screamed and ran out of the room scared out of his mind. Inside her monster costume, Rita giggled; she had tricked her brother."
Advantage: Allows insight into multiple characters' thoughts and feelings.
Comparing Perspectives
Example of changing POV:
From Rita's perspective: It’s a funny prank.
From Benny's perspective: It’s terrifying; he just saw a monster.
Impact of POV on story perception:
Different POVs provide varied insights and experiences.
Conclusion
Recap of POV types:
First Person: Narrator is a character (I, me).
Second Person: Narrator speaks to the reader (you).
Third Person: Narrator is outside the story (he, she, they).
Reflection questions:
What is the POV of your favorite story?
How would it change if told from a different perspective?
Would the narrator have different knowledge?
Final Note
Encouragement: Learning about different POVs can enhance understanding and appreciation of stories.