Point of View

What makes these books different?

diary
novel
cookbook
Point of view is the
narrator’s perspective
into the story.
First person
The narrator tells the story from their own perspective.

the story

the narrator
Examples of first person point of view
● I wish I wasn’t eleven. I wish I was one hundred and two.

● We went to the mall together, but we got separated in the crowd.

Second person
The narrator directly addresses the reader.

the narrator the reader

Examples of second person point of view
● Do you know what your school mascot is?

● Please silence your cell phones before the movie.

● Add 1 ¾ cups of flour, 2 tsp. milk, and 1 egg.

^ (You)
Third person
The narrator is outside the action of the story.
+ characters’ names!

the story

the narrator
Examples of third person point of view
● Roger wanted a pair of blue suede shoes.

● Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say
that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
Point of view sort activity
 LL Point of View Sort Answers
First Person Second Person Third Person

I/We You He/She/They

“Eleven” Commands “Back in my day…”

Dear diary... Turn in your homework Walter was feeling anxious...

“Would you like some candy?” To get to the mall... Spongebob

Personal narratives You’re walking in the woods...

 Third Person

Third Person Third Person

Limited Omniscient
Third-Person Limited
The narrator follows the action of one character. The reader knows the
thoughts and feelings of one character.

Example: “Thank You Ma’am”

She led him down the hall to the front door and opened it. “Good-night!
Behave yourself, boy!” she said, looking out into the street. The boy
wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs.
Luella Bates Washington Jones, but he couldn’t do so as he turned at the
barren stoop and looked back at the large woman in the door.
Third-Person Omniscient
The narrator is all-knowing. The reader knows the thoughts and feelings of
more than one character.

Example:
Jean missed Patrick. She wished he could fly to Texas to see her more
often. Patrick also missed Jean, but plane tickets were expensive, and he
was saving up to buy an engagement ring.
 Point of View Sort Categories
LL: First Person Second Person Third Person
“Eleven”

HLL: First Person Second Person 3pO 3pL

“TYM”

**Put the card(s) not listed in your class’s sort categories back in the bag.
 HLL Point of View Sort Answers
First Person Second Person Third Person
Limited Omniscient
I/We You He/She/They

“Eleven” If You Give A Mouse A “Thank You Ma’am” Avengers

Cookie

Dear diary... Turn in your homework Walter was feeling “Back in my day…”
anxious...

The Hunger Games To get to the mall... Spongebob

Personal narratives You’re walking in the Geri’s Game

woods...

“Would you like some Commands Harry Potter

candy?”