Collection 3:

Truth and Consequences

Point of View

There are three main points of view used in stories:First Person (I, Me, We)Second Person (You)Third Person (He, She, They,

Them, It)

Narrator and Voice

When one reads a story, one hears somebody telling that story.That person is the narrator.

The events of the story are influenced by the narrator and a good reader should take that into consideration.

Omniscient Point of View

Omniscient means “all knowing.”The narrator is not a character in the story.It usually uses 3rd person, i.e. “he, she, it,

they, them” when describing the characters.

The narrator knows what each character is thinking and what his/her motivations are.

Limited Point of View

The storyteller focuses on the perspective of one character.

The narrator describes what this character thinks and feels.

The narrator does not know what the other characters are thinking and feeling.

Still told using 3rd person.

Persona

Persona is the “narrator” in a first person story.

This is a story told using I, Me, or We.A persona usually has a Limited point of

view.In other words, the reader only knows

the persona’s thoughts and emotions.

Credible Narrator

This is a narrator whom the reader can trust to tell the story accurately.

Unreliable Narrator

This is a narrator whom the reader cannot trust.The narrator may have a problem

perceiving the world.The narrator may be purposely lying to

deceive the reader.The narrator may have incomplete

information about the other characters.

Voice

The writer’s use of language and overall style of telling a story.

Diction

The writers choice of specific words to describe the characters and setting.

Syntax

The methods the author uses to vary the sentence construction and complexity.

Pace

The speed at which new events and characters are introduced in a story.

Surprise Ending

When the story concludes in an unexpected yet logical way.

The ending changes the readers perspective about the characters and/or setting.