NARRATIVE

VIEWPOINT
 A DEFINITION
Narrative viewpoint, also known as narrative perspective or point of
view, refers to the position or perspective from which a story is told.

It defines the distance and relationship between the narrator and

characters, setting and events of the story.

Narrative viewpoint shapes the reader's understanding of the story and

influences how information is presented and interpreted.
 Considering
PURPOSE

Shaping Creating Character Controlling

Perspective Engagement Development Information

Narrative viewpoint Different viewpoints offer The choice of viewpoint It also controls the flow of
influences how readers unique ways to engage affects the depth of information and reveals
perceive characters, readers and create character development or conceals key details
events, and themes suspense, empathy, and the level of detail of to heighten tension or
in a story. or surprise. characters' inner lives. create mystery.
 Types of
VIEWPOINTS
Authors carefully select a narrative viewpoint to achieve specific
storytelling goals and evoke desired reader responses. Each
viewpoint offers advantages and limitations, allowing for diverse
and nuanced storytelling techniques.

Let’s look at the four main types of narrative point of view...

 First Person
NARRATION
The story is narrated by a character within the
story, using first-person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘my’.

In first-person narration, the narrator is typically a

participant in the events of the story and provides
insights into their own thoughts, feelings, and
experiences.

This narrative perspective offers readers direct

access to the narrator's perspective and can create
a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
 Advantages Disadvantages
Readers develop a close connection with the It offers only one character's viewpoint, limiting
narrator, feeling as though they are the reader's understanding of other characters
experiencing the story first-hand. and events.

It allows for in-depth exploration of their First-person narrators may be unreliable or

thoughts, motivations and inner conflicts. biased, leading to a skewed or distorted
portrayal of events.
It offers the chance to convey a unique voice
and style creating engaging storytelling. It limits the story’s ability to show external
events as first-person narrators can only
Readers can empathise with the narrator's recount events they have directly experienced or
experiences, making the story more impactful. witnessed.
Examples:
Your turn...
1 “I never thought a place so small could feel so vast.
Standing on the edge of the football field after
Re-write the following extract so
that it is told in first person
everyone had gone home, I felt the weight of the
narrative
upcoming graduation pressing down on me. The
stands, empty and silent, had witnessed every triumph
"You walk down the
and failure over the past few years...”
deserted street, the
sound of your footsteps

2 “As I stepped inside, memories flooded back with each

groan of the wooden floorboards. Dust motes danced
echoing in the silence.
You can't shake the
in the slivers of light that penetrated the heavy feeling that someone—or
curtains, casting a strange glow in the otherwise dim something—is watching
room. I walked slowly, my fingers grazing the faded you..."
wallpaper, once vibrant with floral patterns.”
 Second Person
NARRATION
The narrator addresses the reader directly using
second-person pronouns such as ‘you.’

In this narrative perspective, the reader is placed in

the role of the protagonist, experiencing the events
of the story as if they were happening to them directly.

Second-person narration is relatively uncommon in

literature and is often used in self-help texts, ‘choose-
your-own adventure’ novels or experimental or
avant-garde fiction.
 Advantages Disadvantages
It directly involves the reader in the story, It may not be suitable for all types of stories or
creating a strong sense of immersion and genres, and some readers may find it unfamiliar
engagement. This creates a sense of or off-putting.
immediacy, as readers witness the events as if
they are happening to them first-hand. It relies heavily on reader response and
interpretation and if readers do not connect
It can include interactive elements, such as with the protagonist or resist being placed in
instructions or prompts, that encourage readers that role, the narrative may lose its
to actively participate in the story. effectiveness.

It offers opportunities for experimentation and It limits opportunities for exploring other
creativity in storytelling. characters or viewpoints.
Examples:
Your turn...
1 "You wake up in a dark room, disoriented and
confused. The concrete floor is cold on your cheek and
Re-write the following extract so
that it is told in second person
the air is stale. A sense of dread washes over you as
narrative
you try to remember where you are and how you got
here. Your heart races as you realize you are not “I stared at the text
alone; someone else is breathing in the darkness.”
message on my phone, my
fingers hovering over the

2 “You look out the window and see the rain pouring
down, the droplets streaking the glass. You feel a
keyboard as I struggled to
find the right words. My
pang of loneliness as you watch the world outside. The
mind raced with what-ifs
streets are deserted, save for the occasional car and worst-case scenarios,
splashing through puddles, headlights reflecting off each one more daunting
the wet pavement.” than the last...”
 Third Person
Omniscient
NARRATION
A narrative perspective where the narrator has an all-
knowing viewpoint and uses third person pronouns
such as ‘he/she’, ‘they’ or ‘them’.

This type of narrator can see and understand everything

happening in the story, including the thoughts, feelings,
and motivations of all the characters.

The omniscient narrator is not limited by time or space

and can provide the reader with a comprehensive and
multi-faceted understanding of the narrative.
 Advantages Disadvantages
The narrator has access to the thoughts, The broad perspective can make it difficult for
feelings, and motivations of all characters, readers to form a deep connection with any
allowing for a more complete and nuanced single character, as the focus shifts frequently.
understanding of the story and its characters.
The abundance of information can overwhelm
The narrator can shift focus between different readers, especially if many characters' thoughts
characters, providing multiple perspectives on and backstories are introduced at once.
events and relationships in the narrative.
Since the narrator knows everything, the element
It offers flexibility, allowing the narrator to of surprise or discovery that readers
move freely in time and space, without being experience in other narrative viewpoints might
limited to a single character’s experience. be diminished.
Examples:
1 “As the city lights flickered to life, casting long shadows
across the crowded streets, Detective Martinez leaned
against the lamppost, his fedora pulled low over his eyes.
Your turn...
Little did he know, the key to solving the city's latest string of Re-write the following extract so
unsolved murders lay hidden in the abandoned warehouse that it is told in third person
just blocks away. Meanwhile, in the penthouse suite of the omniscient narrative
luxury high-rise apartment above, the elusive socialite, Avery
Davis, sipped her champagne, her icy gaze fixed on the
“In the sprawling countryside
glittering skyline as she plotted her next move.”
estate, I reclined in my

2 “In the bustling market square of the village, Mrs. Wilson set
up her stall, her wrinkled hands expertly arranging fresh fruits
and vegetables. Little did she know, her prized heirloom
velvet armchair, the
crackling fire casting a
warm glow over the opulent
tomatoes would catch the eye of the renowned chef, Alfredo library. Unbeknownst to me
Torres, who happened to be passing through on his culinary
quest for the perfect ingredients. Meanwhile, across the
at the time, my loyal butler,
square, young Jamie eagerly practiced his juggling routine, Richard...”
dreaming of joining the traveling circus."
Third Person Limited
NARRATION
A narrative viewpoint where the narrator tells the story
from the perspective of one character at a time,
focusing closely on that character's thoughts, feelings,
and experiences. It still uses the third person pronouns
such as ‘he/she’, ‘they’ or ‘them’.

Unlike third person omniscient narration, which has

access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters,
third person limited stays closely aligned with one
character and their internal world, offering a more
intimate and focused perspective.
 Advantages Disadvantages
Readers develop a strong connection with the The narrative is limited to the experiences and
focal character, gaining deep insights into their knowledge of the chosen character, potentially
inner world and emotional experiences. omitting important insights from others.

The narrator's limited knowledge can create The story is coloured by the focal character's
suspense and mystery, as readers discover perceptions and biases, offering a subjective
events and information along with them. view of events which limits the readers'
understanding of a more objective truth.
It offers a balance between the broad scope of
third person omniscient and the deep immersion Transitions in shifting to another character’s
of first person, providing both external and narrative perspective can be challenging to
internal perspectives. execute smoothly and may disrupt the flow.
Examples:
1 “Kimberley sat by the window, her fingers tracing the
Your turn...
faded photograph in her hand as tears welled in her Re-write the following extract so
eyes. With a heavy sigh, she wiped them away. She that it is told in third person
had spent years searching for answers, and she limited narrative
refused to give up now. As she studied the
photograph, that small glimmer of hope reignited “I found myself seated at my
within her.” usual table in the quaint café
on the corner, my fingers

2 “Daniel paced back and forth in the bustling hospital

corridor, the knot of worry tightening in his chest with
tapping anxiously on the worn
wooden surface. Each glance
each step. With every second, his fear for his daughter at my phone brought a flicker
grew more intense, gnawing at him relentlessly. He of hope followed by a sinking
longed to hold her, to offer reassurance, but he knew feeling of disappointment...”
he had to stay strong—for her sake.”
The
END