Adjectives – Identify the Narrative Point of View

Reading – Identify the Narrative Point of View

Activity:

Read the following paragraphs and first identify and highlight the pronouns or names of persons used in each case.

Then, with the help of the highlighted pronoun or names of persons, identify the narrative point of view- whether first person, second person, or third person.

1. First, you should wash your hands and gather all of your ingredients. Having collected them, you need to follow all of the directions in your recipe. Then, place your tasty treats in your oven and cook for 20-30. Let the treats cool for some time; you and your family can enjoy them.
2. Jenifer had felt sad all day. She thought and thought about her situation, and she thought to herself, I need to get myself together. Then, Marica came in the door and asked what was wrong. She told her. Marica frowned. She felt as if she were being abandoned by everyone.
3. When I went to the famous mall, I witnessed a girl crying on the street, and I had a close look and found out to be my friend’s sister. I went to her and enquired what was wrong with her. She replied, “Personal problems.” Being a gentleman and generous by nature, I told her to call me later if she wanted to talk about it.

Here Are The Answers:

1. First, you should wash your hands and gather all of your Having collected them; you need to follow the directions in your recipe. Then, place your tasty treats in your oven and cook for 20-30. Let the treats cool for some time; you and your family can enjoy them.

       Ans: Second-Person Perspective

2. Jennifer had felt sad all day. She thought about her situation and thought to herself, I need to get myself together. Then, Marica came in the door and asked what was wrong. She told Marica, frowning. She felt as if she were being abandoned by everyone.

      Ans: Third-Person Perspective

3. When I went to the famous mall, I witnessed a girl crying on the street, and I had a close look and found out to be my friend’s sister. I went to her and enquired what was wrong with her. She replied, “Personal problems.” Being a gentleman and generous, I told her to call me later if she wanted to talk about it.

      Ans: First-Person Perspective

You must have identified the narrative point of view because of the highlighted pronouns and names of persons that are nothing but pronouns or signal words.

Now, study the following table carefully.

Before We Start Our Further Discussion On The Narrative Point of View, Let Us Consider Some Basic Things.

1. What is a dialogue??

When characters speak, it is called dialogue.

2. What is narration?

When the narrator speaks, it is called narration.

3. What is the purpose of the “quotation mark?”

It separates narration from the dialogue.

Example

“Help,” my cousin Jude said.

Now Let Us Discuss The Narrative Point of View.

1. First-Person Perspective:

The narrator is a part of the story (character). Often, I or we are used in the story.

Example of First Person Perspective:

There are places I’ll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone, and some remain

All these places had their moments

With lovers and friends, I still can recall

Some are dead, and some are living

In my life, I’ve loved them all.

Reference: “In My Life” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

2. Second-Person Perspective is Usually Used for Giving Instructions

Uses of pronouns like “you” and “your” are found in this type of perspective.

Example of Second Person Perspective:

First, you should wash your hands and gather all of your ingredients. Having collected them, you need to follow all of the directions in your recipe. Then, place your tasty treats in your oven and cook for 20-30. Let the treats cool for some, and you and your family can enjoy them.

3. Third Person Perspective;

In these types of stories, the narrator usually isn’t involved directly.

Here the narrator tells others’ stories. Generally, “He,” “She,” & character names are widely used. The thoughts and feelings of the characters are narrated in this type of perspective.

Example of Third-Person Perspective:

Tom was in a hurry to go to school because the school had planned a field trip. Tom felt very happy and excited because he was going on his first field trip of the year.  Tom thought that everything was going to go well that day.

There are Three Types of Third-Person Narration:

1. Third-person omniscient
2. Third-person limited
3. Third-person objective

a. Third-Person Omniscient

The narrator knows about all the characters.

The narrator tells the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

Omni = All                        Scient = Knowing

Example

Huck was mad at Jude. He blamed her. Jude knew Huck would be mad, but she wanted him to live his life joyfully.

b. Third-Person Limited

In the third-person perspective, the narrator is limited to one character. Therefore, he narrates the thoughts & feelings of one character.

Example

Huck was mad at Jude. He blamed her. Jude just left without saying anything.  She left a note and then left him.

c. Third-Person Objective

In this type of perspective, the narrator does not reveal any character’s thoughts or feelings. Here only the character’s dialogue and actions are narrated.

Example

Huck slammed the door. He walked upstairs & read a note from Jude. He kicked the trash can & started crying.

Tips on Identifying the Narrative Point of View

1. Check 1^st or 2^nd-person or 3^rd– person (before worrying about objective, limited, or omniscient) by identifying the pronoun.
2. Ask yourself simple questions like…. “Whose story is the narrator telling?”

Is the narrator telling his, mine, or someone else’s story?

Note: While doing this, focus on the narration and not on the dialogue.

Which Point of View Should You Choose?

Choose first-person narration if it is personal or if you have a particular affinity for one of your characters.

Choose the second person if you’re giving instructions.

Choose the third person if you want to act as an observer.

Features of First-Person Point of View:

• A particular affinity for one of the characters.
• The story is told through your – or their – eyes.
• Character development in a novel happens in a true sense.
• The main character is always “on screen.”
• Examples of this category are narrating your personal experience to caution or to give information to your readers.

Features of Second-Person Point of View:

• Generally used for giving instruction.
• It is the most inflexible point of view,
• Requiring you to use “you” a lot.
• Guide the audience in a particular direction.
• Examples of this category are travel articles or instructing readers about where to eat and stay on their next adventure:

Features of Third-Person Point of View:

• Meant for readers who want to be an observer.
• Perspective tells the story of several characters.
• It is the most popular narration for fiction and creative nonfiction.
• Generally, it deals with more than one character’s mind.