Point of view or perspective

What is a point of view? A point of view is the perspective of the person who is telling the story. If someone else were telling the same story, it might sound a bit different. Point of view helps us understand the character’s feelings and actions in the story.

Think about one of your favourite stories.

Answer the following questions:

• Who is telling the story?
• How does the main character feel in the story?
• Whose point of view or perspective is being shared?

What is the story about?

Examine the following picture or imagine a young girl looking under her pillow for her missing tooth. Behind her is a small mouse holding her missing tooth. If this were the cover of a story, what would the story be about? Consider the following questions:

• Who do you think this episode of 16 Hudson is about?
• Whose point of view or perspective is shared?

Task 1: Determining the point of view of the story

Let’s explore the following episode of 16 Hudson entitled “The Tooth Fairy.” In this episode, the character wants to make sure she gets rewarded for her first tooth, but after the tooth goes missing with no reward, she must find out why!

Answer the following questions:

• What do you think this episode of 16 Hudson is about?
• From whose point of view is this episode told?
• How did Lili feel when she realized that Sam had hidden her tooth for the tooth fairy?
• How would the story change if Lili’s friend Sam were telling the story instead?

Complete the Point of View Chart in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document to record your thinking about points of view:

Task 2: Rewriting the story

How might the story be different if it were written from another character’s point of view?

Rewrite the story from Sam’s point of view. You may use any method of your choice. How would the story change?

Analyzing the point of view or perspective

Books, movies, and shows have different characters. Each character has their own personality and a unique point of view or perspective. The author of the story might express a point of view or perspective as a narrator or through the thoughts and feelings of the main character. This is the author's way of sharing certain ideas with the reader/listener.

Choose one of your favourite books or audiobooks. Who is telling the story? Whose ideas and feelings are you exploring?

Consider the following questions to help you gather ideas about the point of view or perspective in your book.

Complete the Book Information Table in your notebook or use the following fillable and printable document provided to help you record your thinking. You may also use another method of your choice.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.