Narrative Perspective Author s Point of View
Dialogue and Narration Dialogue = when characters speak. Narration = when the narrator speaks. Quotation marks separate narration from dialogue. Example Help, my cousin Jack said. 1 2
Identifying Narrative Perspective It's about the narrator (who tells the story) We're not looking at dialogue. We don't care what characters say. Only the narrator's voice matters.
Pronoun Case We are trying to figure out the narrator's view point on the story. Perspectives and Signal Words First-Person I, me, my, mine, we, us, ours, Second-Person you, your Third-Person he, she, her, they, them (also character's names)
Tip: How many are in the room? I am in the room I = 1 st Person You come in the room. You = 2 nd Person Then he or she came in the room. He or She = 3 rd Person
First-Person Narrator is a part of the story (character). Often uses I or we. Example I went home. Tim came over. I couldn't play.
Second-Person Usually for instructions Uses You ; from your perspective. Example: First, gather your materials. Add 1 cup sugar to flour. Place ingredients into your mixing bowl.
Third-Person Narrator usually isn t involved. Tells others stories. Lots of He, She, & character names. Three Types of Third-Person Narration ASK: Does the narrator tell Thoughts and Feelings of Characters?
Third-Person Omniscient Narrator is all knowing. Narrator tells thoughts and feelings of more than one character. Omni = All Scient = Knowing Example Tim was mad at Shay. He blamed her. Shay knew Tim would be mad, but she wanted to live her life.
Third-Person Limited Narrator is limited to one character. Tells thoughts & feelings of one character Example Tim was mad at Shay. He blamed her. Shay just left without saying anything. She wrote a note and then left him.
Third-Person Objective Narrator does not reveal any characters thoughts or feelings. Only characters dialogue and actions are narrated. Example Tim slammed the door. He walked upstairs & read a note from Shay. He kicked her trash can & started crying.
Tips on Identifying Check 1st or 2nd-person before worrying about objective, limited, or omniscient. Ask, Who s story is the narrator telling: his, mine, or someone else s? Focus on narration not dialogue.
Practice 1. Read the following passages. 2. Determine the narrator s perspective. 3. Write down your answer.
Question 1: Camp Reflections I quite enjoyed Sixth Grade Camp. The accommodations were simply divine and the weather couldn t have been better. Each morning, I awoke in such a grand mood. I smiled at sun or clouds, because just being in the midst of all those trees brought a bright warm feeling to my heart.
Question 2: Campers Arrive! The counselor looked at the pile of luggage at the bottom of the hill. Her face seemed to sag along with her shoulders. With a heavy sigh, she turned to face her 14 bouncing campers. Here we go, guys! she chirped.
Question 3: Cleaning Your Cabin You will surely enjoy cleaning your cabin at Sixth Grade camp. Follow these simple rules, and you ll be a white glove winner in now time! FIRST: Gather all the dust, litter and loose socks you can find. SECOND: Hide these things behind doors, in the bottom of the shower, and under the bunks. THIRD: Make a large pile of all your shoes. Be sure the pile is centered in the middle of your cabin floor.
Question 4: Mr. Carter s Inspection Mr. Carter marched up the hill toward the girls cabins. One lookout spotted him and scuttled inside to warn the others that he looked ferocious! I m not looking forward to this, Mr. Carter sighed to himself. He could never figure out why they brought so much stuff. It made him feel really sad when the kids didn t earn their white glove awards. Secretly, he wished he could award one to EACH cabin! The counselor, Lucky Lu, met Mr. Carter at the door. Welcome! she greeted him in a chirpy voice. We re so glad to see you!
Question 5: Wacky Wednesday Winners Duke and his buddy Calvert were sure they would win. They had watched the other campers strut the runway, but none had come close to their performance. Secretly, they high-fived one another while the others watched the judges. Mr. Carter, however, wasn t quite sure who should win the contest. He liked the sassy walk of Duke and Calvert, but he thought Amos and Hector were more creative. As he prepared to cast his vote, Mr. Carter wondered which team would be surprised, and which would be gloating if they won. At the last moment, he decided to cast his vote with Amos and Hector, saying to himself, They ve earned this and they deserve it.
Answers 1. First-Person 2. Third-Person Objective 3. Second-Person 4. Third-Person Limited 5. Third-Person Omniscient