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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 10169
Become a story detective! Explore how an author’s point of view transforms a tale, and learn to spot first- and third-person narration with exciting examples and activities.
Who’s Telling the Story?
Imagine you’re watching a movie, and suddenly, a character turns to the camera and says, “Let me tell you what happened.”
Now imagine that same scene, but this time, a narrator’s voice says, “He walked into the room, unsure of what he’d find.”
That’s the magic of an author’s point of view!
Every story has a narrator, and how they tell it can completely change how you feel about it.
Become a detective, learning how to spot whether a story is told in first person or third person. Dive in and crack the case of “Who’s Telling the Story?”
Clues About Point of View
Every story needs a narrator—someone who tells us what happens.
However, not all narrators tell stories the same way. That's where the author's point of view comes in.
Here's what you need to know.
First Person
The narrator is part of the story.
They use words like I, me, and my.
You see everything through their eyes and feel what they feel.
Example: I couldn't believe what I saw—a dragon in my backyard!
Third Person
The narrator is outside the story, like an invisible observer.
They use words like he, she, and they.
They can tell you about every character and what's happening.
Example: She tiptoed across the creaky floor, hoping the monster wouldn't hear her.
Look for the pronouns. If the narrator says I, it's in the first person. If they say he or she, it's in the third person.
Now, head to the Got It? section to practice finding the clues in some fun passages!
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