Point of View Worksheet 1

Directions: determine from which perspective the passage is narrated. If it is

Viewpoints: first-person, second-person, third-person objective, third-person

1. The birds were chirping and the sun was shining. Kevin and Juno were sitting on
a park bench together. Neither of them was smiling. After a long period of
silence, Kevin said, "This isn't going to work. I mean, you're a dog person and
I'm a cat person." Juno nodded. A tear rolled down her face. Kevin went on, "If we
got married and bought a house, what kind of pet would we get? Some kind of cat-
dog? Somebody's going to be unhappy." Juno began sobbing and said, "Ok, let's just
end it now. Have fun with your slobbery dogs." She jumped off the bench and ran
into the woods.
Narrator's Perspective: _________third-person objective _______________________
Explain how you know: The narrator does not reveal any of the characters’ internal
feelings; only their actions are narrated.

2. The dew on the grass made my running shoes damp. It didn't bother me. The sound
of my feet hitting the street formed a rhythm, a steady pattern of light thumps. I
timed my breathing with the rhythm. These sounds filled my head. I thought of
nothing other than the next step and keeping my tempo. I soared over the sidewalks
like concrete clouds.
Narrator's Perspective: First person
Explain how you know: The narrator is the main character of the story and
everything is told from their perspective. We know what the character is feeling
and the pronouns are me, I, and my.

3. Red looked across the prairie. He didn't see anything concerning. He wondered
why Texas Joe had hollered like that. Texas Joe turned to him. The ghost that
Texas Joe had just seen was gone. Texas Joe swatted at the air. Now he felt crazy.
"You have to believe me, Red. It was just here," said Texas Joe. Red scowled at him
in disbelief. "What was just here, Joe?" he asked. Red was angry with Texas Joe for
disturbing his sleep for no apparent reason.
Narrator's Perspective:Third Person omniscient
Explain how you know: The narrator narrates as an outside voice and knows what all
characters are feeling and saying. Pronouns are he, and him.

4. If you are confused about something in class, don't wait. Raise your hand and
ask for help immediately. Do it while your teacher is still explaining the
material. Your teacher will probably be happy that you are taking an active part
in your education and should attempt to explain the material in a different way.
If you are still confused, ask your teacher if he or she is available after class
to give you additional instruction. You are worth it. Don't give up on yourself.
Narrator's Perspective: Second Person point of view
Explain how you know: The narrator is putting the reader directly in the story and
is making them feel involved in it. The pronouns are your, yourself, and you.
5. Jeremiah squinted from the sun. He was thinking about the game. They could have
won. He could have won the game for them. All he needed to do was catch the ball,
but he didn't. He dropped it. His coach talked to him. "Jeremiah, we had a great
season. Nobody's perfect. Look at me. Ha ha," he said. Jeremiah smiled at the
coach, but he couldn't forgive himself so easily.
Narrator's Perspective:Third Person Limited
Explain how you know: The story is telling it in his perspective but isn’t really a
character in the story. The narrator only tells what one specific person is saying.
The pronouns are they, he, and his.

6. Suzie applied the lipstick to her lips. She had never done this before. She
smacked her lips like she had seen other women do in the movies and looked in the
mirror. She felt unsure about what she saw. She turned to her friend Donna and
asked, "How do I look?" Donna gasped and said, "You look breathtaking, Suzie."
Suzie smiled. She was grateful for these words, even though she didn't believe
them.
Narrator's Perspective: Third Person Limited
Explain how you know: It is telling it from Suzie’s perspective though it is
physically Suzie telling the story. We know what she is thinking and feeling but
don't know other people’s thoughts. The pronouns are her, and she.

7. April opened the escape hatch. She was afraid to jump, but she realized that the
airship was sinking. She looked at Vince, who was strapping on his parachute.
Vince locked eyes with her and then he realized the error in his conduct. "I'm
sorry, April. That was ungentlemanly of me. Let me help you with yours." He
proceeded to attach the other parachute to April's back. This made him feel a
little better.
Narrator's Perspective: Third Person omniscient
Explain how you know: The narrator is not personally in the story but knows what
both Vince and April are thinking and feeling. The pronouns are he, her, she, and
his.

8. The parade marched down the street. It was led by a caped drummer. He set a
stately pace and tapped the accompanying rhythm. A marching band followed behind
him, matching his pace. Behind the band were floats of all sizes and designs.
Children and adults were riding on the floats, tossing out penny candies,
streamers, and plastic prizes. The street was lined with people. The noises of
revelry filled the streets.
Narrator's Perspective: Third Person Objective
Explain how you know: The narrator is not in the story but can tell what actions
people are doing but cannot see what they are thinking or feeling. The pronouns are
he, him and it.
9. The bell rang. "Oh no! I'm going to be late for science! I've got to go," said
Cassie to her friend Tom. Tom rolled his eyes and said, "Little Miss Perfect can't
be late." This upset Cassie. She hated when people gave her a hard time for trying
to do the right thing, especially Tom. "Quiet you," she said while swinging at Tom
with her folder. He narrowly dodged the strike and said, "Be careful now. Attacking
another student is a level two offense." Then he smiled a big, cheesy grin at her.
Narrator's Perspective: Third Person Limited
Explain how you know: The narrator is not in the story but we know what the main
character's actions are and how she thinks they feel. The pronouns are she, her,he
and is.

10. You look at the blueprints laid before you. You have no idea how to read them.
"Why did I lie to get this job?" you wonder to yourself. The men in the room are
watching you. The man in the suit who hired you asks, "Well, what do you think
about these plans? Should we go for it?" You pick up the blueprints and pretend to
study them carefully. "Um, well, have we done any fault testing?" you ask. The man
in the suit squints at you and says, "Fault testing? What's fault testing?" To buy
yourself time in a really smooth way you say, "Uhh..."
Narrator's Perspective: Second Person Point of View
Explain how you know: The narrator is not the story but it says the word you which
puts you as the main character of the story. This means that the whole story is
about what you do. The pronouns are you and yourself.