English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Identify the narrative point of view
Identify the narrative point of view
What you'll learn
- Identify at least 3 adverbs that compare (faster, slower, harder) in a sentence with 80% accuracy.
- Apply adverbs to correctly complete 5 out of 6 fill-in-the-blank sentences, comparing two actions (e.g., 'The turtle walked ______ than the rabbit.')
- Explain, in their own words, the meaning of 'comparing' when using adverbs, providing at least one example in a short sentence.
- Create 2 original sentences using adverbs to compare two actions, demonstrating correct grammar and adverb usage.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between first, second, and third-person points of view by analyzing pronoun usage.
Distinguish between third-person limited, omniscient, and objective perspectives by evaluating the narrator's scope of knowledge.
Analyze how a specific point of view shapes the reader's understanding of characters, plot, and theme.
Evaluate the effect of an unreliable narrator on the interpretation of a text by identifying internal contradictions and biases.
Identify shifts in narrative perspective within a single text and explain their literary purpose.
Synthesize textual evidence to construct a thesis-driven argument about an author's strategic choice of point of view.
Ever read a story and felt like you were inside the main character's...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
First-Person Point of ViewThe narrator is a character within the story, relating events from their own perspective. This is identified by the use of pronouns like 'I,' 'me,' 'my,' 'we,' and 'us.'From 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.'
Second-Person Point of ViewThe narrator speaks directly to the reader, making the reader a character in the story. This is identified by the use of the pronoun 'you.' It is rare in literature.From 'Bright Lights, Big City' by Jay McInerney: 'You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time...
3
Key Rules & Conventions
The Pronoun Test
I / We = First Person | You = Second Person | He / She / They = Third Person
This is the first and most crucial step. Identify the primary pronouns used to refer to the main characters to determine the basic point of view before moving to more nuanced analysis.
The Knowledge Test (for Third-Person)
Access to one mind = Limited | Access to multiple minds = Omniscient | Access to zero minds = Objective
After identifying a text as third-person, ask: 'How many characters' thoughts can I hear?' If the narrator only reports what can be seen and heard, like a camera, it's third-person objective (or dramatic).
The Reliability Test (for First-Person)
Contradictions + Extreme Bias + Questionable Motives = Potential Unreliability
When readin...
4 more steps in this tutorial
Sign up free to access the complete tutorial with worked examples and practice.
Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
A critic argues that the use of a first-person unreliable narrator in a novel about the American Dream serves to critique the concept itself. Which of the following thesis statements best synthesizes this argument, aligning with the tutorial's learning objectives?
A.Through a first-person narrator whose self-aggrandizing claims are consistently contradicted by his bleak reality, the author strategically employs unreliability to expose the hollowness and deceptive nature of the traditional American Dream.
B.The novel uses a first-person narrator to tell a sad story about a character who fails to achieve the American Dream because he is unreliable.
C.The American Dream is a major theme in the novel, and the first-person point of view makes the story more personal and interesting for the reader.
D.By choosing an unreliable narrator, the author makes the book confusing, which reflects the confusing nature of the American Dream.
Challenging
An author writes a novel about a soldier suffering from PTSD using the second-person point of view ('You walk through the crowded market...'). What is the most sophisticated analytical reason for this unconventional choice?
A.The author was not skilled enough to write in first or third person.
B.The author wanted to write a 'choose your own adventure' style book.
C.It makes the story shorter and easier to read by using a simple pronoun.
D.It forces the reader into a position of uncomfortable immediacy, simulating the disorienting and depersonalizing experience of trauma by making the protagonist's experience the reader's own.
Challenging
Read the passage: 'I have always been a meticulous record-keeper; my memory is flawless. I recall with perfect clarity that on the night of the 14th, I was at the library. The checkout slip, which I unfortunately misplaced, would prove it. My brother claims he saw me near the docks, but his memory has always been clouded by jealousy.' Which analytical statement most accurately evaluates the narrator's reliability?
A.The narrator is reliable because their claim of a 'flawless' memory is a fact that cannot be disputed.
B.The narrator's claim of a 'flawless' memory is undermined by their admission of 'misplaced' evidence and their attempt to discredit a witness, suggesting deliberate deception.
C.The narrator is reliable because they provide a plausible reason for their brother's conflicting account.
D.The narrator's reliability cannot be determined without seeing the checkout slip.
Want to practice and check your answers?
Sign up to access all questions with instant feedback, explanations, and progress tracking.
Start Practicing FreeEnglish Language Arts for other grades
Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Identify the narrative point of view"?
Identify the narrative point of view is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify the narrative point of view?
You'll be able to: Identify at least 3 adverbs that compare (faster, slower, harder) in a sentence with 80% accuracy; Apply adverbs to correctly complete 5 out of 6 fill-in-the-blank sentences, comparing two actions (e.g., 'The turtle walked….
Is "Identify the narrative point of view" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Identify the narrative point of view?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.