Narrative Perspective

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What is Narration?

Narration is when the narrator of the story speaks. The narrator is the one who tells the story.

Identifying Narrative Perspective

When identifying the narrative perspective, you need to look at ONLY the words that the narrator says.

Don’t look at the dialogue.Don’t worry about what characters say.Only worry about what the narrator is

saying.

First-Person Perspective

In a first-person perspective narrative, the narrator is a character in the story.

The narrator often uses words like I or we.

Examples

I went to the store. We both like to shop there.

Second-Person Perspective

Second-person perspective is usually used for instructions.

Second-person perspective uses the word you; from your perspective.

Examples

First, you must flatten the dough. Then, spread your sauce onto it.

Third-Person Perspective

In third-person perspective, the narrator usually isn’t involved in the story. He/ she tells the stories of others.

The words he, she, and character’s names are often used.

There are three types of third-person narration…

Third-Person Omniscient

In this type of third-person perspective, the narrator is omniscient, or all-knowing. The narrator tells the thoughts and feelings of more than one character.

Example

Jim was very mad at Bob for lying to him. Although Bob was sorry for lying to Jim, he thought that it was his only option—if they were going to remain friends. But even that option hadn’t worked out right, he thought miserably.

Third-Person Limited

In this type of third-person perspective, the narrator is limited to one character and only tells the thoughts and feelings of one character.

Example

Jim was very mad at Bob. He had trusted him, but then he had found out that Bob had lied to him. When he confronted Bob at school, Bob had slammed his locker door and left the building.

Third-Person Objective

In this type of third-person perspective, the narrator doesn’t reveal any character’s thoughts or feelings.

Example

Jim walked up to Bob, and began accusing Bob of lying to him. When Jim started accusing Bob, he just slammed his locker door shut and ran out the front door of the school and didn’t look back.

Identifying Tips

First, see if the narrative is in first- or second-person perspective before worrying about third-person omniscient, objective, or limited.

Ask “Whose story is the narrator telling: Is it his? Mine? Someone else’s?

Don’t worry about dialogue.See if there are any signal words in the

text.

Signal Words

These words can signal what perspective the story is set in, but remember to look for these words ONLY in what the narrator says:

Perspective Words to Look For

First-Person Perspective I, me, my, mine, we, us, our

Second-Person Perspective you, your

Third-Person Perspective he, she, her, they, them,

Writing Tips

If you’re writing in… …make sure to…

First-Person Perspective Tell the narrator’s story from his/ her voice

Second-Person Perspective Have the narrator tell the reader his/ her story (the reader’s story)

Third-Person Omniscient Have the narrator tell someone else’s story with multiple characters’ thoughts

Third-Person Limited Have the narrator tell someone else’s story with one character’s thoughts

Third-Person Objective Have the narrator tell someone else’s story (no character thoughts)

PRACTICE

Practice

What narrative perspective are the following passages set in?

Write your answers down on a sheet of paper.

1.

I couldn’t believe my ears. “We’re going to Mexico?” I asked, surprised. I had no idea how my parents could’ve kept such a big secret from me for so long.

2.

Harry didn’t know what to say, and neither did John. Their friend, Matt, that they had known so long, was moving away? Both were saddened by the thought, and wondered whether the three would ever be all together again. Inside, Matt was wondering the same thing. Would he ever see the two of them again?

3.

First, you must make sure to put the butter in the bowl. Then add the sugar, and then the milk. After adding a few pinches of flour, you should stir your mixture.

4.

What have I done? Kim thought with a sigh. Why did I do what I did? To that, she had no answer. And I never will have an answer, she thought, tears forming in her eyes, because there are none—no excuses, no possible ways around it. No hope.

5.

I sat in agony. The suspense was killing me inside. This was the moment I had been anxiously waiting for—and dreading, both at the same time. The information in that miniscule little envelope would determine my future.

Answers

1. First-person perspective

2. Third-person Omniscient

3. Second-person perspective

4. Third-person limited

5. First-person perspective

Did you get them all correct???

We’re Done!

Now you know a little (or a lot) more about narrative perspective and how to identify and write in the different types of narrative perspectives.