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A floating eye in the sky looking down at multiple characters walking through a town with dotted lines showing the eye can see into their thoughts.
Lesson Preview · Grades 3-5

Narrator's Point of View

Skill: Point of View

Learn how to identify the narrator's point of view, also called narrator's perspective. You will learn first-person, second-person, and the three modes of third-person narration: objective, limited, and omniscient. Available at three reading levels for grades 3 to 12.

Grades 3-5Grades 6-8Grades 9-12
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Point of View
The narrator's position in the story
  • Every story has a narrator.
  • Where is the narrator standing?
  • Let's learn how to spot it!
Narrator vs. Characters
Two roles in every story
  • Narrator = the one telling the story
  • Characters = everyone in the story
  • Sometimes the narrator is also a character in the story.
Dialogue vs. Narration
Look at the narration only.
  • Dialogue = what characters say (in quotation marks)
  • Narration = what the narrator says (everything else)
  • To find the point of view, look at the narration only.
The Core Question
Whose perspective is the narration coming from?
  • Was the narrator there? = first-person
  • Is the narrator addressing the reader as "you"? = second-person
  • Is the narrator outside, telling someone else's experience? = third-person
  • The pronouns the narrator uses give us the answer.
Three Basic Points of View
Pronouns reveal whose perspective the narration represents.
  • First-Person: "I, me, my, we, our"
  • Second-Person: "you, your"
  • Third-Person: "he, she, they," or character names
  • Let's look at each one a little more closely...
First-Person
The narrator is in the story. Look for "I" or "we."
  • Key Clues
  • "I, me, my, we, our" appear in the narration
  • Example
  • I zipped my backpack and raced for the bus. My shoe came untied, but I kept running.
Second-Person
The narration is directed at the reader. Look for "you" or "your."
  • Key Clues
  • "you" or "your" appear in the narration
  • Common in directions, recipes, manuals, and choose-your-way stories
  • Example
  • You open the locker. A tiny frog blinks at you from inside your lunchbox.
Third-Person
The narrator is outside the story. Look for "he," "she," "they," or names.
  • Key Clues
  • He, she, they, or character names appear in the narration
  • Example
  • Jada opened the locker. A tiny frog sat inside her lunchbox.
  • Third-person has three modes. Let's look at those next.
Three Modes of Third-Person
How much access does the narrator have to characters' inner lives?
  • Objective = ZERO minds revealed
  • Limited = ONE mind revealed
  • Omniscient = TWO OR MORE minds revealed
  • These three modes apply ONLY to third-person.
Third-Person Objective
Zero minds. The narrator stays outside every character's interior.
  • Key Clues
  • No character's thoughts or feelings are revealed.
  • Readers infer feelings from actions and dialogue.
  • It reads like a camera watching the scene.
  • Example
  • Leo stared at the test paper. He tapped his pencil three times. He raised his hand.
Third-Person Limited
One mind. The narrator gives access to one character's thoughts and feelings.
  • Key Clues
  • One character's thoughts or feelings are revealed.
  • Other characters stay on the outside.
  • Narrator is LIMITED to one mind.
  • Example
  • Leo felt sick. He had not studied. He tapped his pencil and hoped no one would call on him.
  • Watch Out: first-person and third-person limited both stay close to one character. The difference: the narrator IS that character (first-person) or is OUTSIDE that character (limited).
Third-Person Omniscient
Two or more minds. The all-knowing narrator.
  • Root Words
  • OMNI = all | SCIENT = knowing
  • Key Clues
  • Two or more characters' minds are revealed.
  • Example
  • Leo felt sick about the test. He had not prepared himself. Across the room, Maya felt ready. She had studied for hours.
Signal Words
  • thought, knew, believed, wondered
  • felt, wanted, hoped, feared
  • Inferred is NOT the same as Stated
  • Actions and Dialogue Do Not Count
  • He smiled.
  • "I am scared," he said.
Step-by-Step
  • Step 1: Focus on narration NOT dialogue.
  • Step 2: Ask whose perspective the narration is coming from. The pronouns will tell you.
  • "I, me, we" = first-person
  • "you" = second-person
  • "he, she, they," or names = third-person
  • Mode of Narration
  • Step 3: Track distinct minds the narrator enters.
  • 0 minds = objective | 1 mind = limited | 2+ minds = omniscient
  • Now you're ready to practice!

Review

Shown after slides, one question at a time

Review
The Note in Locker 23 by Sandra Albers
I pulled open my locker and a small folded note tumbled out. My name was written on the front in neat purple ink. I unfolded it and read: "Meet me by the water fountain at noon. Don't be late." There was no signature. I crammed the note into my back pocket and tried to act normal.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The story is narrated from the perspective of "I"; the narrator is the central character.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
Night of the Gargoyles by Tabitha Haynes
You walk into the dark courtyard. The stone statues look creepy in the moonlight. You hear a loud cracking sound from above you. You look up and see a gargoyle stretching its wings. If you want to run away, turn to page 12. If you want to talk to the monster, turn to page 36.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
This story is narrated from the perspective of "you."
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Last Slice: a Tale of Terror and Bloodshed by Robin Quan
Mia opened the fridge and saw the last slice of pizza. She wanted it badly. Across the kitchen, her brother Theo looked up from his phone and froze. He had been planning to eat that slice all afternoon. They both lunged for the box at the same time. The plate crashed to the floor.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator reveals thoughts or feelings of two or more characters.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
Showdown at the Hoedown by Wyatt Holliday
The silver coin sat in the dirt. Two cowboys stared at it. "That is my coin," said Dusty. Tex crossed his arms and spit on the ground. "I saw it first," Tex replied. A tumbleweed rolled between them. Dusty slowly moved his hand toward his lasso. Tex narrowed his eyes.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is telling Tex and Dusty's story and does not reveal their thoughts or feelings.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
How to Operate Your Sky Skipper Hover Sneakers by Devon Ashby
First, you slide your feet into the Sky Skippers and pull the laces tight. Next, you press the green button on the side of the right shoe. You will hear a soft humming sound under your feet. Then you bend your knees and lean forward to take off. Do not try to hover indoors, and always tighten your helmet before you launch.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narration is from the perspective of "you."
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Recital by Kaitlyn Sloan
Emma sat on the piano bench. She felt very nervous. Her hands shook a little. Her friend Lily smiled from the front row. "You can do it," Lily said. Emma took a deep breath. She put her fingers on the keys and started to play the song.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is telling Emma and Lily's story but is limited to revealing the thoughts and feelings of only Emma.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Stakeout by Scott Parks
Trey crouched behind the bush. Liam was beside him with a pair of binoculars. "I see her at the window," Liam whispered. He pointed at the house across the street. A girl with a long braid stood at the window. She held something small and silver in her hand. Then the girl waved at the bush. Trey and Liam dropped flat onto the grass.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is telling the story from Liam and Trey's perspective and does NOT reveal any of their thoughts or feelings.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Final Letter by Michael Cho
Leo stood at the microphone. His hands were shaking. He felt terrified that he would misspell the word. "Chrysanthemum," the judge said loudly. Leo looked at the audience. The judge stared back at Leo. Leo took a deep breath. He hoped he could remember the vowels.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is telling the story from Leo's perspective and is revealing ONLY Leo's thoughts and feelings.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Great Balloon Chase by Nico Smith
We spotted the red balloon before any of us could shout. Kenji was holding the string at the end of his driveway. A sharp gust of wind ripped the string out of his hand. We watched the balloon sail straight over the neighbor's fence. We grabbed our bikes and took off after it. The balloon dipped low over Mrs. Carter's garden, and we yelled at it to come down. It only floated higher. We pedaled harder. None of us wanted to be the one who lost Kenji's birthday balloon.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is a character in the story and is telling the story from his or her own perspective.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.
Review
The Double Surprise by Angela Carmichael
Maya decorated the living room with balloons. She was so excited to surprise her friend Chloe. She knew Chloe would love the cake. Outside, Chloe was carrying a giant present. Chloe felt worried that Maya was not home. Little did Chloe know, Maya was waiting right behind the door.
  • First-Person
  • Second-Person
  • Third-Person Objective
  • Third-Person Limited
  • Third-Person Omniscient
Learn Why (shown after incorrect answer)
The narrator is telling the story from Maya and Chloe's perspective and both characters' thoughts and feelings are revealed.
Optional Follow-up
Why do you think this? Explain your answer.