Lesson 102.3 Experimenting with Point of View

Purpose

To identify and discuss the effect of the point of view from which a story is told

Choose an appropriate point of view for an original short story

Bell RingerComparing Points of View

In small groups, examine and discuss the differences among the following three points of view

First person

Third-Person Limited

Third-Person Omniscient

Find the POV

Determine which point of view is modeled in the passages on page 91. Then try to define the important characteristics of that point of view.

Transform the POV

Now, use your understanding of point of view to transform each excerpt on page 92 into the other two points of view. Work in paris to discuss and transform texts.

After you and your partner have transformed the point of view, take turns reading your rewrites to each other.

Provide feedback to each other by studying the rewrites and answering this question: What parts of the response make it the correct point of view?

Sage and ScribePOV and Elements of a Story

Around the room are five questions. Each question has to do with POV or elements of a story. You and a partner will work together in an activity called Sage and Scribe in order to answer the question.

Sage and Scribe Questions

Jane felt she was being watched, and scanned the crowd suspiciously, uncomfortable in the close confines of a crowded mall. She noticed one young man get up from the bench and move quickly into the crowd of shoppers. –what POV is this told from? How do you know?

I canned the shoppers in the mall from my vantage point on the bench. I looked for low-slung purses that were loosely riding the shoulders of women who had many packages. –What POV is this told from? How do you know?

Give two examples of a symbol. Say what the symbol is and what it stands for.

If an author wants to add irony to a love story about a boy works really hard to impress his crush, what could he do to make the plot line ironic?

Sarah and Jake sat side by side on the balcony of their apartment at sunset. He was reading and she was staring off into space. Though the physical distance between them was small, the emotional distance had never been greater. – what POV is this told from? How do you know?

Exit Ticket

Answer the following questions on your own sheet of paper

Which point of view gives the most information about the actions and feelings of the characters? Why?

Which POV is most limited? Why?

Why would an author choose to tell a story in first person? In third-person limited? In third-person omniscient?

Bonus Activity (if time)Writer’s Style

A writer’s style or voice is created by elements such as diction, syntax, and imagery, as well as point of view. Review these elements to be sure you understand and can define them.

Certain stories grab reader’s attention and never let go until the story ends. Read the opening paragraph from “The Gift of the Magi.” pg 94

Circle the images that stand out.

Underline the sentence fragments and annotate the text to describe what effect the author creates with these fragments.

Bonus Act’y Cont’d

In contrast, examine the opening of the story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” After reading, think about the effect of the diction, the syntax, and the point of view. What impression of the narrator does Edgar Allen Poe create?

Notice how the syntax affects the pacing of the action. Which story seems to set a faster pace, or seems to set the action of the story in motion more quickly? Why?

AOW work time (if time)