Point of View: Who Is Telling the Story

Core Idea

Every story is told by someone, and who tells it changes how the story feels. In first person, a character in the story tells it using "I" -- you see everything through their eyes. In third person, a narrator outside the story tells it using "he," "she," or "they." The point of view determines what information you get and whose thoughts and feelings you hear about.

How It's Best Learned

Read a passage and figure out who is telling the story. Look for clue words: "I" means first person, "he/she/they" means third person. Try rewriting a short scene from a different character's point of view. Discuss how the story would change if a different character were the narrator.

Common Misconceptions

• Thinking the narrator is always the author; the narrator is a voice the author creates, not necessarily the author themselves.
• Believing first person is always more honest; first-person narrators can be unreliable because they only know their own perspective.
• Assuming point of view does not matter; it deeply shapes what you know and how you feel about the events.

Explainer

Point of view is whose eyes and mind you see the story through. It is the perspective from which the story is told. Different points of view create very different experiences when you read. Imagine a scene where one character is angry and another is sad. If you see it from the angry character's point of view, you might think the other character is weak. If you see it from the sad character's point of view, you might think the angry character is cruel. Point of view shapes how we understand the story.

First-person point of view uses "I" and "we." The narrator is a character in the story, and you only know what they know. "I walked into the forest and saw something strange" means you, the reader, are experiencing the forest through that character's eyes. You only know what they know, see what they see, and feel what they feel. This makes the story feel intimate and personal.

Third-person point of view uses "she," "he," "they," and character names. The narrator is not in the story but describes the characters from outside. "Sarah walked into the forest and saw something strange" is third-person. You know more than any single character—maybe you know what is happening to multiple people at once. Third-person can be close (sharing one character's feelings) or distant (showing you facts but not deep emotions).

When you read, pay attention to who is telling the story and what they know. Ask yourself: Am I seeing only what this character sees, or do I know more? Does this character know what is about to happen, or will they be surprised like I am? Understanding point of view helps you understand the story's tone and message. A scary story from a frightened character's point of view feels different from one told by a brave observer. This skill makes you a more thoughtful and engaged reader.