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X.1 Identify and understand point of view in stories

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What Does It Mean to Understand Point of View?

Point of view is who is telling the story. It helps us see how the story is being shared and what the storyteller knows or feels.

Examples:
  • “I walked to school with my brother.” (The story is told by someone in the story.)
  • “She walked to school with her brother.” (The story is told by someone outside the story.)
Helpful Hint

Look for clue words. I, me, my mean the storyteller is in the story. He, she, they mean the storyteller is outside the story.

Why Do We Look at Point of View?

Point of view helps us know whose eyes we are looking through. It shows what the storyteller knows, sees, and feels. This helps us understand the story better.

Examples in Stories:
  • “I was nervous before the test.” (We only know what the storyteller feels.)
  • “The children were nervous before the test.” (We see the group from the outside.)
Helpful Hint

Ask yourself: “Who is telling the story?” and “How do they know what is happening?”

How Do We Compare Different Points of View?

Sometimes the same story can be told by different storytellers. Each one might notice or feel different things. Comparing points of view helps us see how the story can change.

Examples:
  • “I was happy when we won the game.” (The storyteller is sharing their own feelings.)
  • “She was happy when her team won the game.” (The storyteller is telling about someone else.)
Helpful Hint

Think about how the story changes when it is told by a character versus someone outside the story.

Putting It All Together

When you notice the point of view, you learn who is telling the story and how they see it. This makes you a stronger reader and helps you understand stories in new ways.

Examples:
  • “I saw a puppy at the park.” (We know what the storyteller saw.)
  • “She saw a puppy at the park.” (We know what someone else did.)
Helpful Hint

Good readers always ask: “Who is telling the story?”

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