|
|
 |
|
|
Practicing Point Of View - Writing Exercise by Robert Price
|
|
|
Practicing Point Of View - Writing Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Education
|
|
|
The point of view of an article is how the story/scene is told to the reader. Essentially, it answers the question, "Who's eyes are we seeing this story through?" Different points of view can tell the reader different things, some more in-depth, and others more limited. The following are the 4 types of point of view, with their benefits and limitations: 1st Person - The 1st person narrator is seen through the eyes of the main character. Although the reader can both see what the narrator is seeing and what the narrator is feeling, the limitations lie in that same issue. We are only aware of things as far as the narrator knows. If the narrator isn't there, we have no direct knowledge of what happened. 1st person narration usually takes the form of "I" story-telling. 2nd Person - The least used form of narration. Usually takes the form of "you" story-telling, and tries to tell the story so that you as reader can become more involved in the happenings of the story. 3rd Person Limited - 3rd person narration is told by someone other than the main character. You are allowed the same benefits and limitations of the 1st person narration. This allows you to view the story from a different vantage point. The only problem is the same as 1st person narration. The narrator is limited so far as what he/she sees. 3rd Person Omniscient - This type of narrator sees all and knows all. Anything that is important to the story is told. The problem with this type of narrator is sometimes too much information can overwhelm the reader. A good writing exercise is to practice writing the same scene through different points of view. The following is 3 examples of the same scene, in which a character is disappointed in someone. The first two examples are told 1st person, first from the point of view of the person who was disappointed, and then from the point of view of the person who did the disappointing. The final point of view is 3rd person limited, following the person who did the disappointing. First - 1st Person Disappointed: It was a warn, sunny day and as a child, I was living a carefree, enjoyable afternoon. Recess had been fun. We played four square and I actually won. Now the bell was ringing and I walked passed the four square area on the blacktop with a huge smile on my face. I bounced over to the fence, backpack draped over one shoulder, one shoe untied. I grabbed the chain link fence with two fingers and peered through the opening, closing one eye in the process in order to focus... Second - 1st Person Disappointer: I spun around in my chair, letting the stack of files crash down onto the desk as I heard a knock at the door. "Sir, Mr. Jones is on the phone. Is it alright if we move tomorrow's meeting to 2pm?" Janet asked. "Yes, of course. Anything for Mr. Jones," I replied, searching through the stack of files, beginning to forget exactly what I was looking for. I glanced down at my watch. Shoot. 3:30 already. He's going to be upset with me. I picked up the phone and dialed the school's number. "Hello, Mrs. Smith. Sorry, but I'm running a little late today. Can you keep an eye on him for a couple minutes until I can get there?" Third - 3rd Person Limited - Disappointer: Tom grabbed an armful of files from the bottom drawer of his file cabinet, spun his chair around towards his desk, and heaved the files down onto his desk, letting out a huge sigh in the process. "Mr. and Mrs. Townsend. Townsend. Townsend. Where are you?" he thought, rummaging through file after file. A stiff, single knock on the door snapped his head upwards, causing him to push a handful of files onto the floor. "Sir, Mr. Jones just called." As you can see from these examples, each point of view has different emotion and way of telling the story behind it. Dependant upon what the focus of the story is will help you determine which point of view to choose. Although this example is limited, both is scene and the fact that not all point of views are discussed, it still creates some important points. By trying this exercise, you begin to build the characters. From either first person point of view, the focus is on what the character is doing. By practicing it third person as well, you can get a better sense of the surrounding of your character, focusing both on the scene and their actions, instead of just their actions. Then, it can give you more to draw from if you choose a first person narration. You can only grow your character by practicing in this way. In addition, you can learn more about the interaction between the characters before you actually use them. For example, from just reading the first example, the reader gets the sense that the character is generally a happy kid and is just waiting. However, by looking at the other examples, you get the sense that this probably happens a lot, and you can play off that constant disappointment in the final scene. I suggest trying this exercise. Change the scene, the characters, and/or the point of views. Either way you will learn a lot about the characters you are trying to describe and get yourself on the path to a great story. online essays
Related Articles -
Practicing, Point, View,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Stephen Bye is a fiction writer. His most recent novels are a 5-book “The Developer” series which be...more
|
|
|
|
|
LEVAL AINAH
I am an internet marketer and also an educator. My goal is to help others who are looking to improve...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
MICHAEL BRESCIANI
Rev Bresciani is the author of two Christian books. One book is an important and concisely written b...more
|
|
|
|
|
PAUL PHILIPS
For more articles, blog messages & videos and a free e-book download go to www.NewParadigm.ws your p...more
|
|
|
|
