Narrator and Voice
English II – Chapter 3
Learning Objective
We will be able to
explain how the choice
of a narrator affects
the tone of a text.
APK – Activate Prior Knowledge
Think back to last year and recall
what you learned about
narrator and voice?
Why is this important?
 Nearly 30% of the CAHSEE questions
involve literary response and analysis.
You will be improving your analytical and
problem solving skills which can be
applied to ANY academic discipline or
future career.
Academic Vocabulary
 Point of View – the vantage point from which a
writer narrates a story
Omniscient
Point of View
This narrator:
 is NOT part of the action or a character in
the story
 is all-knowing
 uses third-person pronouns such as “he,”
“she,” “they,” etc.
First-Person
Point of View
This narrator:
 IS a part of the action AND a character
in the story
 only knows one perspective
 uses the first-person pronoun “I”
Third-Person Limited
Point of View
This narrator:
 is NOT a part of the action or a part of the
story
 only knows one perspective
 uses third-person pronouns such as “he,”
“she,” “they,” etc.
First, Third and Omniscient
First Person
Third Person
Omniscient
In story
Out of story
Out of story
ONE person’s
perspective
ONE person’s
perspective
ALL characters’
perspectives
Third person POV is like a hybrid of the other two. It’s
as if ONE person is relaying a story he or she heard,
but was not present when the action actually happened.
Let’s Try To Identify Point of View!
Guided practice
Please see your graphic organizer
Concept Development
Narrator – The storyteller (NOT the author)
Voice – The writer’s diction and tone
Diction – The writer’s choice of words
Tone – The attitude a writer takes toward a
subject, character, or the reader
The Narrator/Tone Connection
Once we have identified the
narrator’s point of view, how do we
identify the tone? (Remember,
tone is the attitude being
expressed)
Try to imagine HOW these words
are being said
Determining Tone
(Writer’s feelings/attitude)
 Look at the writer’s diction (writer’s choice of words) to
identify the tone.
 What general feelings are created by the writer’s diction?
 Does the narrator make any jokes? If so, are these jokes
lighthearted and humorous, or bitter and sarcastic?
TONE WORDS
 Bitter
 Serious
 Witty
 Playful
 Melancholy
 Reflective
 Humorous
 Sarcastic
 Angry
 Admiring
 Joyous
 Romantic
Now Let’s Try to Identify Tone!
Please see your graphic organizer
Closure
1)Turn to a neighbor and share
something you learned today about
narrator and tone.
2)Why is understanding narrator and
tone important?
Independent Practice
 Look at the two passages. Identify the following for
each:
 1. What is the point of view?
 What is the tone of the passage?
 What clues tell you the tone?