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The author’s perspective is the viewpoint
from which he or she writes. The
perspective reveals the author’s attitudes,
opinions, background, feelings or personal
interest in a subject.
The narrator is the speaker or character who
tells the story.
The point of view is the position or angle from
which a narrator tells a story.
Three different types of point of view
1st person
2nd person
3rd person/3rd person omniscient

A character is telling the story
Pronouns: I, me, my, our, we, us, myself

Example: Seedfolks:


“ I stood before our family alter.”

The author or narrator tells the story.
Only hear the thoughts of one character.
Pronouns: he, she, they, them, their

Example: “Born Worker”:


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“ Jose walked away from Arne’s jabbering. He
walked away, and realized that there were
people like his cousin, the liar…”
ALL


The narrator knows ALL characters’
thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Pronouns: he, she, them, they, their

Officer Wiley looked at Charles and scratched his head. All
the evidence pointed to Charles’s guilt, but the officer just
couldn’t be sure. Mr. Johnson, on the other hand, knew that
Charles was guilty as sin. His numerous brushes with
authority in the past left no question in his mind at all.
Charles hung his head, knowing that this time he would not
be able to talk his way out of trouble.
Which point of view are the
examples written? First or Third?
Ben Jackson kicks the dirt. His brother, Kevin
said he’d be back in five minutes. However,
Kevin bumped into a friend and took a lot
longer. To Ben, it feels more like an eternity.
Third
Person
“Chances are that’s a crocodile,” Sari said to
Sam. She pointed into the swamp at the
faint outline of a pointed snout.
Third
Person

I could see my grandmother through the
open window. She was sitting at the table
reading the newspaper. I reached into my
pocket and felt my crumpled up test that
was covered in red ink. I looked up again.
Reluctantly, I pulled open the door.
First
Person

At the Jean Paige School of Dance, ballerinas
were expected to wear black leotards, pink
tights, pink slippers, and their hair pinned back
perfectly in a neat bun. When Shelby showed
up looking like an extra in a rap video, she
caused quite a stir. All the other ballerinas were
thinking she was in the wrong place.
Third
Person

Although I have reread the letter three
times, I still can’t believe what it says. The
foreign-exchange program accepted me!
I’ve barely traveled, unless you count going
to my dad’s house every other weekend.
Now, I’m going to spend six months is China.
First
Person

She was fifteen when it happened. Susie was a star
swimmer in my small town. Then her mom got a
new job, and they moved to a bigger school. That
winter, she tried out for the swim team. Susie was
confident, even smug about her skills. She was cut
in the second rounds of tryouts. She swore that no
one would ever tell her again that she wasn’t good
enough.
First
Person