Characterization and Point of View
 Point of view is the perspective or
viewpoint that a character or
narrator has in a story.
 Authors develop point of view
through characterization, the
process that reveals the personality
of a character.
STEAL Characterization
 Speech: What does the character say? How does the




character speak?
Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s
private thoughts and feelings?
Effect on others: What is revealed through the
character’s effect on other people? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
Actions: What does the character do? How does the
character behave?
Looks: What does the character look like? How does the
character dress?
Contrasting Points of View
 Authors often introduce contrasting
points of view in a text to help
establish the conflict in the plot.
 A character’s point of view might
change during a story to help
develop the theme.
Contrasting Points of View
 Read the short story “New Year’s in Chinatown”.
Circle details that indicate point of view (STEAL).
Note contrasting points of view and changing points
of view in the margin.
Contrasting Points of View
 Answer the following questions about the story in three
complete sentences. Cite specific details to support your
answers.
1. What does Lucas think and feel at first about going to
see the parade in Chinatown?
2. How do Sophie’s actions reveal her point of view
about Chinese New Year?
3. Contrast Lucas’s point of view with Uncle Robert’s
point of view.
4. Explain how Lucas’s point of view changes during the
course of the story. Based on the way the author’s
characterization, how do you know?