Narrative Viewpoint

• “Narrative Viewpoint” refers to who is telling the story in a given piece of writing. This could be a character in the story (first-person), an all-knowing narrator (third-person omniscient), or a detached observer (third-person limited).

• First-person viewpoint is when the narrator is a character in the story, identified by the use of “I”, “me”, “my”, “we” pronouns. This viewpoint allows for a more intimate and personal connection with the character.

• Second-person viewpoint, though less common, is when the narrator addresses the reader directly with pronouns like “you” and “your,” making them a participant in the story.

• Third-person viewpoint uses “he”, “she”, “it”, “they” pronouns and can be either omniscient or limited. In third-person omniscient, the narrator knows all the thoughts, feelings, and actions of all characters, while in third-person limited, the narrator only knows one character’s perspective.

• Think about how the narrative viewpoint impacts the reliability of the information presented. For example, a first-person narrator might not be trustworthy or might not have all the information, whereas a third-person omniscient narrator would have complete knowledge.

• The choice of narrative viewpoint can greatly effect how a reader experiences a text. It may influence the reader’s feelings towards characters, and it can shape their comprehension and interpretation of events.

• Analyzing narrative viewpoint can provide valuable insights into an author’s purpose. For example, using a child’s viewpoint may help the author showcase a sense of innocence or lack of understanding, while an omniscient narrator could portray a universal or timeless viewpoint.

• Look at how the narrative perspective changes throughout the text. Do we stay in one character’s point of view or does it switch among characters? How does this affect the development of the story?

• Understanding narrative viewpoint is crucial for both comprehension of a text and for crafting your own pieces of writing. This tool can shape a reader’s entire perception of the events, characters, and themes within a story.