π First Person Point of View
First person point of view means the story is being told from the narrator's own perspective. The narrator is a character in the story. You'll see pronouns like 'I,' 'me,' 'my,' 'mine,' 'we,' 'us,' 'our,' and 'ours.' Think of it as the narrator sharing their personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings directly with you.
- πββοΈ Definition: The narrator is a character within the story.
- π£οΈ Pronouns Used: I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours.
- ποΈ Focus: The narrator's personal experiences and feelings.
- π Example: I went to the store, and I was surprised to see it was closed. My plans were ruined!
π Third Person Point of View
Third person point of view means the story is being told by someone who is not a character in the story. The narrator is an outside observer describing what's happening. You'll see pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' 'him,' 'her,' 'his,' 'hers,' 'its,' 'they,' 'them,' 'their,' and 'theirs.'
- π΅οΈ Definition: The narrator is an outside observer.
- π£οΈ Pronouns Used: He, she, it, him, her, his, hers, its, they, them, their, theirs.
- π Focus: Describing the actions and experiences of the characters.
- βοΈ Example: She walked to the store, but it was closed. Her plans were ruined.
π First vs. Third Person: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature |
First Person |
Third Person |
| Narrator |
Character in the story |
Outside observer |
| Pronouns |
I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours |
He, she, it, him, her, his, hers, its, they, them, their, theirs |
| Perspective |
Personal, subjective |
Objective (can be limited or omniscient) |
| Intimacy |
Direct connection with the narrator's thoughts |
More distant; narrator may or may not know characters' thoughts |
π Key Takeaways
- π― Identify the Narrator: Determine if the narrator is a character in the story or an outside observer.
- π Look for Pronouns: Pay attention to the pronouns used; they are the easiest way to distinguish between the two.
- π§ Consider the Perspective: Think about whether you're getting a personal, subjective account or a more objective description.
- βοΈ Practice Reading: The best way to master identifying point of view is to read widely and consciously note the narrator's voice.