Point of View
Point of view describes the position of the narrator in a story. The main types of point of view are first person and third person. In first person, the narrator is a character in the story and uses “I” or “we” in non-dialogue text. In third person, the narrator is not a character in the story but is removed from the action and functions more as an observer. Second person point of view is more rare, and concentrates more on “you.” There are also many subcategories of each type of point of view.
Most babies’ first words are something like “Dada” or “Mama” or “ball.” Mine was “Ahoy!” But that was considered normal when you’re born and raised on a pirate ship. My father was the first mate on the fearsome sailing ship known as the Salty Dog. He was the trusted friend…
Formally opened on August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal was considered a “wonder of the modern world.” The project involved digging over 50 miles across the tropical Isthmus of Panama to connect the Atlantic Ocean/Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific Ocean. Previously, to navigate from one ocean to another required…
What had seemed like a good idea two weeks ago was turning into one of the most stomach-churning experiences of Katie’s life. She cautiously peeped through the heavy black curtains and then quickly yanked her head back into the backstage gloom. “She’s out there,” Katie breathed to Mila and Renee.…
In this passage from Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Pit and the Pendulum,” the narrator has been convicted during the Spanish Inquisition of an unnamed crime and sentenced to death. He is tied on the floor, and a large sharp blade is swinging back and forth towards his body. …
People all over the world watch the Olympic Games on TV, cheer on their nations’ athletes, and get into the spirit of friendly international competition. Yet how many people know how these games came about and why they were created? Why is there an Olympic torch? What does the flag…
Jane Eyre is the story of a young orphan girl from childhood to adulthood. At the beginning of the story, Jane is 10 years old. Her uncle and his family have cared for her since her parents died a few years earlier. In this passage, the uncle has died, and…
Not everyone loves worms. Some people think they are slimy and disgusting, but these small wriggling creatures are very important. In fact, we can thank earthworms for many of the delicious foods on our plates. Earthworms are good friends to the farmers who grow fruits and vegetables. Earthworms can be…
Ahn vigorously scrubbed windows, a tedious necessity for her family’s new Vietnamese restaurant. They had turned the building from homely to gorgeous, but everything had to be absolutely perfect: unique decorations, skillful employees, and fabulous traditional food. Then customers would adore the place, making the business a success. Ahn shifted…
Every week someone in my class gets a turn at solving a problem. It’s always something different. I’m excited because today it’s my turn! My teacher clapped his hands to get the class’s attention. “We have been studying different kinds of animals, so this week’s problem will focus on one…
Today my class is going on a trip. Can you guess where? We are going to the zoo! Everyone is excited. There will be lots of wild animals at the zoo. My teacher Mrs. Green says it is time to go. The children get into the big, yellow school bus.…