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AA.1 Identify point of view in stories

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Understanding Point of View

Every story is told from a point of view. The point of view tells us who is telling the story. It shows us how the story is seen and understood.

Examples:
  • In a story told by a child about their day, the point of view is the child’s.
  • In a story where a narrator explains what all the characters do, the point of view is from the narrator outside the story.
Helpful Hint

Ask yourself: “Who is telling this story?” The answer will help you find the point of view.

First Person Point of View

When a story is told using words like I, me, or my, it is in the first person point of view. The narrator is a character in the story and shares their own thoughts and feelings.

Examples:
  • “I walked to school and saw my friend.”
  • “My puppy followed me into the yard.”
Helpful Hint

Look for words like I or my to spot first person point of view.

Third Person Point of View

When a story is told using words like he, she, they, or names, it is in the third person point of view. The narrator is outside the story, telling us what happens to the characters.

Examples:
  • “She went to the park to play.”
  • “Ben and Mia built a sandcastle together.”
Helpful Hint

Look for names or words like he, she, or they to spot third person point of view.

Why Point of View Matters

Knowing the point of view helps us understand how the story is told. It shows us what the narrator knows and how the characters’ feelings are shared.

Examples:
  • If the story is in first person, we know the narrator’s thoughts and feelings.
  • If the story is in third person, we see what the characters do and say, but not always what they think.
Helpful Hint

Always check: “Am I hearing the story from inside a character’s head or from outside?” This will tell you the point of view.

Practice with Point of View

We can practice point of view by reading stories and noticing how they are told. Then we can explain which point of view is used and how it changes the story.

Practice Ideas:
  • After reading a story, decide if it is first person or third person.
  • Find words like I or he to tell which point of view it is.
  • Retell a story in a different point of view. For example, change “I went to the store” to “She went to the store.”
Helpful Hint

The more you practice, the easier it will be to tell the difference between first person and third person point of view.

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